Metal Halide bulbs

[reefmontalvo]

I recently changed my MH bulbs I replaced them with the same type bulb (Probe start) and for some reason they do not want to start. The old bulbs start up just fine. I was careful to install and recheck I had contact. What in the ---- is happening? Any body?

[Origami]

I recently changed my MH bulbs I replaced them with the same type bulb (Probe start) and for some reason they do not want to start. The old bulbs start up just fine. I was careful to install and recheck I had contact. What in the ---- is happening? Any body?

 

Chris, do your old bulbs still fire?

[Coral Hind]

Is your ballast electronic or magnetic? What are the type/make bulbs you are using?

 

Do you see a small arc, about 1/8" long, between the main electrode and the starting electrode?

 

If it is electronic, unplug it for about 5 minutes and then try. The electronic ballast may need to reset itself.

Edited November 5, 2008 by Coral Hind

[reefmontalvo]

Chris, do your old bulbs still fire?

 

Tom,

 

Yes the old bulbs still fire. But there causing huge cyano outbreaks.

 

Is you ballast electronic or magnetic and? What are the type/make bulbs you are using?

 

Do you see a small arc, about 1/8" long, between the main electrode and the starting electrode?

 

If it is electronic, unplug it for about 5 minutes and then try. The electronic ballast may need to reset itself.

 

I found out there electronic ballast, saw the ebay ad. I tryed the new bulbs about two weeks ago and in the the process I cracked the ceramic sockets, I did test the new bulbs and they worked fine. Now today the new ceramic sockets came in I installed them today simple line splice tested good with the old bulbs. Now I installed the new bulbs hit the switch nothing. I thought the ballasts might have not been sending power any they are cause the old bulb are firing on. I then thought the new bulbs were pulse start. I just got word from the supplier there probe so I now know the ballasts are probe start. I hope this helps out.

Edited November 3, 2008 by reefmontalvo

[Coral Hind]

Were you able to get them to work?

[reefmontalvo]

Were you able to get them to work?

 

No I didn't. But Tom figured the whole thing out. It basically turns out my ballast are under rated. The total output is 170w. Which sucks cause there 250w bulbs. I will just buy a couple of Ice Cap ballast instead that are truley rated for the bulbs. And that sums it up in a nut shell.