Electrical Question

[crispyreef]

Is there any way to test a ballast at the socket? I just bought 3 new bulbs and two of them are on Blueline E ballast but the third is a PFO magnetic. The lights on the e ballast are fine but the mag ballast is not firing. It did for the first day but them stopped working. I know the bulbs require a probe start and I think it is. Is there any way to test if the ballast is pushing 250 watts? I'm using a 175 now until I can figure this out or get a new ballast.

 

[Reef Bass]

Not sure how to do what you ask. I'd go about it the other way. Plug the ballast into a meter (Kill-a-watt) and then watch what it draws when the bulb is firing. Of course, if the bulb won't fire, you probably won't get a valid current draw reading.

 

[coralfarmer]

Are they phoenix bulbs? I have the same issue with my new phoenix bulb I have some mag ballasts and some times it can take a half hour for it to come on eventually it does also make sure the bulb is making contact with the back of the mogul. Some time the little metal contact inside the mogul gets pushed down and isn't able to make a connection with the bulb.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Have you tried a different bulb? I have some spare bulbs for you to try if you need to.

 

[crispyreef]

I tossed my old bulbs so I only have 4 of the same. Yes it is the Phoenix SE 250 14K. It fired up the first day but wasn't able to after that . I thought I could put a volt meter in the empty socket to see what it draws, just a thought.

 

[coralfarmer]

Try just leaving it on for awhile even if it doesn't fire and see what happens. The ones I just got did that for the first week then now they come on as soon as I power them on but it took like a week of worrying wether they would come on or not.

 

[crispyreef]

I'll try that. I let it go for a few days but started to notice a little browning so I plugged in a 175w bulb until I figure this out.