400w Helios 20k with HQI ballast - super slow startup?

[kroe]

I just got a 400w helios 20k "hqi" SE bulb and a PFO 400 HQI ballast. Thing thing takes incredibly long to fire... over 30 minutes. You can see the little lightning bolt in the bulb, but it doesn't start to produce light for a long time. Once it does fire it is absolutely amazing...

Is this normal or do I have a bad bulb or ballast?

 

[szwab]

I have heard of this as well. it's what's holding me back from trying the bulb. Where'd you get yours from? It would worry m on how that is effecting the bulbs life.

 

[klasiksb]

Any particular reason you went with the Helios over the Radium?

Going to be getting a PFO 400w HQI ballast and Radium next week, and just curious why you went with the Helio's?

 

[szwab]

the raduims are about the same price but need to be replaced approx every 6 months where as the Helios are said to last for much longer.

 

[kroe]

I went with the helios due to the better life over the radium.

The slow startup problem was only for the first couple days... nothing changed in the setup, it just started firing immediately.

 

[szwab]

that's good to hear! Every find out why it did it?

 

[kroe]

nope.

 

[klasiksb]

How much longer are the Helio's supposed to last and how do they look compared to a Radium? May go with the Helio's instead.

Are there any good threads on the Helio's that you know of?

 

[klasiksb]

Also, where can you get the Helio's bulbs? Can't seem to find them.

 

[szwab]

can get them from www.commodityaxis.com

 

[DeltecRules]

I see on that website they have a 175 watt version 12,500 K. What kind of ballast do they require to fire on. I use a M57 standad magnetic ballast.