Installing double end bulbs

[H@rry]

I just got my first double end MH fixtures from someone who is getting out of the hobby. I had the canopy upside down on the floor to install them. When I tried to put new bulbs in they were incredibly hard to "punch in". I though maybe that I had the wrong bulb so I got the old ones that came out and they were just as hard. I finally got the new bulbs installed but I broke the ceramic tab off of one end of both of them. They are working fine now but I'm thinking forward to when it's time to change them in a year or so. I don't know if I can get them in reaching in between the fixture and the water and trying to push up.

What can I be doing wrong? I think the brand name is Blue Wave or something like that.

 

[msman825]

been there and done that. never seem to both 1 of mine when i broke the ceramic off. then i learned to put a flat screwdriver in there and spread ur open a touch

 

[vetteman]

I take the fixture off the Tank to change DE's

 

[Dace]

Putting a DE bulb in a fixture is extremely easy without damaging bulb.

1st take fixture off and lay flat on floor with reflector facing you. Remove old bulbs( remember not touch new bulb with hands).
2nd take 2 tooth picks and place in between the prongs as close to the wall of the fixture.
3rd slide bulb in the socket (tooth picks will fall when the bulb slides in)...the end.
no force needed, no broken ceramics.

 

[seafansar]

I think you just have to take the fixture off the tank like vetteman said. They are really hard to install. My boyfriend recently changed out bulbs for the first time. I was too afraid I'd break them after I couldn't even get one of the old ones out.

 

[H@rry]

I can't take the fixture out, it's screwed to the canopy, I'd have to take the canopy off (a two person job). Maybe I'll try the screwdriver or toothpick thing. I'm not looking forward to it though. I think I'll go with Mogul base from now on (I've got enough sense to screw in a light bulb).

 

[MitchReef]

That toothpick idea is brilliant...those things are nasty to press in....

I have both of my pendants affixed to a length of 2 X 3 lumber and it actually sits on pieces of wood attached in each end of the canopy, so I can unplug the plugs and turn the board so it will came out...makes it all really nice and easy...

 

[gflat65]

I know you know, but for those who might not, disconnect the pendant from the ballast before sticking a screwdriver in it.

I had a set that had issues with the springs that hold the clips in position. My newest end caps are really easy to insert, though (have replaced them several times-my Aqua Medic fixture seemingly regularly burns the ends off of bulbs, requiring new endcaps). If one end goes in before the other, it can sometimes make it difficult, too.

I have mine set up with ey hooks in the pendant and a matching set in the canopy. I run a bolt through the eye bolts and nut the end. When it's time to change bulbs, I unscrew the nuts and pull the pendant out for access. May be something to think about long term.

 

[Dace]

I can't take the fixture out, it's screwed to the canopy, I'd have to take the canopy off (a two person job).

sorry, but this was your first mistake. you can't change these bulbs easily with it in the canopy. I would use an eye bolt with a hook and squeeze the hook to where it's difficult to remove without two hands...and whala

 

[H@rry]

Well just #@!^! The fixtures came with eye bolts. I took them completely apart, took the reflectors out, took the eye bolts out, drilled holes in the back case so I could screw them into the canopy, got M@ry Ruth to get one end of the canopy and help me set it down on the floor, took out the old Mogul sockets and reflectors, screwed the new ones in, put the reflectors back together, finally got the bulbs in, and got her to help me set the whole thing on the tanks again. Put the ballast on top and fired it off.

Now I'm going to have to take the whole thing back down just to change bulbs!

I've got to have 3 more MHs and I think I'll just go back to Mogul base.

 

[kgross]

Putting a DE bulb in a fixture is extremely easy without damaging bulb.

1st take fixture off and lay flat on floor with reflector facing you. Remove old bulbs( remember not touch new bulb with hands).
2nd take 2 tooth picks and place in between the prongs as close to the wall of the fixture.
3rd slide bulb in the socket (tooth picks will fall when the bulb slides in)...the end.
no force needed, no broken ceramics.

For 150 watt this is correct.

For 250 this is not correct, they have a different type of mount.