Hamilton Ballast/Lighting system help!!

[FishGuy5]

I have a hamilton system that runs 3 175 watt MH and 2 4o watt flourescent bulbs. It's about 5-6 years old. The MH work great, but the flourescent bulbs are real dim and sometimes flicker. Any idea what's going on and how to fix it? Any recommendations on someone who could work on it locally? Bulbs are 1 month old, so that's not the problem. Thanks for any help!!

 

[funman1]

If the bulbs are new, you may have bad new bulbs..
OR you have the wrong bulbs for your ballast.

but, other than that sounds like a bad ballast

~Steve~

 

[Justin74]

If there flickering sounds like a connection may have oxidized especially if there as old as you say they are, that could be a possibility.Or, new ballast or endcaps are needed.EZ fix, just a matter of looking at the connections, are your endcaps waterproof? Check the inside brass connection plates where they meet the bulb's pins, make sure there not green or white.And ballasts life expectancy is only 3-5 years from what I understand anyway.

-Justin

 

[Wee-Reef Master]

I'd say if the connections are clean, it sounds like a ballast going bad. Perhaps you can borrow someone elses ballast (presuming you don't have an extra) to test.........or..........take your bulbs to a shop or buddy to have them tested. Good luck!