Lighting problems .. used bulb anyone?

[eskymick]

I'm having an intermittent problem with my metal halide lighting system. Both the lamp and the ballast are relatively new (November). However, either the bulb or the ballast is now defective. Without a spare bulb, it's hard to determine which is the problem.

Does anyone have a used (but good working) SE 400w MH lamp I could use for a few days to test my system?

Thanks in advance ...

 

[Troylee]

what exactly is it doing?? and is the ballast electronic or mag?

 

[eskymick]

It's an electronic ballast. The lamp starts normally and reaches it's normal operating intensity, but after a time it begins to flicker and dim .... eventually settling to an intensity not much brighter than actinics.

 

[Jhildebrand]

Ooh, crap. I have a 250W that does the same thing. Mag ballast though. Have not been able to diagnose what the issue is.

I have a 400W bulb you can use if needed. Let me know.

 

[customcolor]

i had a problem with one of my radiums once....it didnt fire all the time or not at all...how i fixed it was to take some sand paper and sand off alittle of the lead or what ever it is on the very end of the socket (the part that makes contact with the tab in the socket) and ever sense then i have had no problems...its worth a try?.?

 

[eskymick]

Ooh, crap. I have a 250W that does the same thing. Mag ballast though. Have not been able to diagnose what the issue is.

I have a 400W bulb you can use if needed. Let me know.

Thanks, John. I'm tied up this weekend, but I'll hit you up this next week to make arrangements.

 

[eskymick]

i had a problem with one of my radiums once....it didnt fire all the time or not at all...how i fixed it was to take some sand paper and sand off alittle of the lead or what ever it is on the very end of the socket (the part that makes contact with the tab in the socket) and ever sense then i have had no problems...its worth a try?.?

Anything is worth a try. I'll do that. Thanks for the input.

Did yours develop that problem after some time of usage ... or right out of the box?

 

[nkelr]

i have the same problem with my 175s. even with brand new bulbs it still seem dim. some times it reaches full intensity right before they shut off for the day. i believe the ballast is the problem, but not sure. keep us posted with your findings.

 

[nkelr]

just discovered that i was trying to use a pulse start light on a probe start ballast. this might be the problem your having also.

 

[eskymick]

just discovered that i was trying to use a pulse start light on a probe start ballast. this might be the problem your having also.

In checking with the lamp manufacturer, the bulb is rated for both. It has worked perfectly for three months. Only this past week have the problems started.

 

[nkelr]

im going with bulb, but im no expert by far. keep it posted. this might help me solve the same problem im hving

 

[customcolor]

Anything is worth a try. I'll do that. Thanks for the input.

Did yours develop that problem after some time of usage ... or right out of the box?

with in a few days i had that problem