T5 ballast delay

[Koh23]

Hello all!

Have some "problems" with t5 ballast, its 2x54w, everyrhing is connected and working, but there's delay in turning lamps on....

So, i plug power cable in outlet, and there's app. 3 seconds delay until lights turn on, is it normal, or something is wrong?

Ballast is philips selectalume hf-s 258 tl-d II......

Years ago i had ati sunpower 6x39w, bought with broken ballast, i replace them with cheapest i could find, but i cant remember is this delay normal, or.....

So if anyone have some toughts......

 

[vetteguy53081]

@Brew12

 

[jda]

Some of my T12s and T5s take this long.

 

[Koh23]

Cant remember, but, i think that turning on was instantly......

 

[oreo54]

Hello all!

Have some "problems" with t5 ballast, its 2x54w, everyrhing is connected and working, but there's delay in turning lamps on....

So, i plug power cable in outlet, and there's app. 3 seconds delay until lights turn on, is it normal, or something is wrong?

Ballast is philips selectalume hf-s 258 tl-d II......

Years ago i had ati sunpower 6x39w, bought with broken ballast, i replace them with cheapest i could find, but i cant remember is this delay normal, or.....

So if anyone have some toughts......

Lamps working on full brightness. Ni flicker ect
Probably no issues.
Sid you actually measure 3 seconds?

"programmed" rapid start ballasts

I've got some T5HO ballasts that art labeled "Programmed Rapid start". I know that conventional rapid start usually means instant on, I'm not sure about the programmed part and is this a fixed value or something that can be changed? The ballasts in question take approx 2-3 seconds to light the...

forums.mikeholt.com

Afaict those ballasts are for 220v supplies

 

[Rmckoy]

I have 8x54 watt
They do have a little delay as the bulbs get older .
The only reason I noticed is they are on the same timer as my sump light .

 

[Koh23]

Yes, lamp working correctly, they are older lamps, just for testing, everyrhing is connected... App 3 second is delay, didnt measure, but, its not instant light when turned on....

I planed to upgrade my led lights with 4x54w lamps, so i need to buy another ballast, i will see what happens with new one, maybe this is some older type, or something.....

Theres note on ballast that it is suitable for panic light, with <0.05 sec powering, so.... Confused, totaly.....

Maybe its the lamp

 

[jda]

I just changed my T12 bulbs yesterday and paid attention - Icecap 660 took about a second and a half or two seconds to light them. I would not worry about this at all.

 

[nereefpat]

I have not seen this on any T5 I've been around, aquarium or commercial, but I haven't used this ballast afaik.

If it always is the same, and it always works, then I wouldn't worry too much.