Metal Halide Ballast Age

[bluetimes]

I HAVE A 250 X 2 MH SET UP FROM HAMILTON TECHNOLOGY A FRIEND OF MINE GAVE THEM TO ME HE SAYS THEY ARE ABOUT 8 YEARS OLD. THEY WORK I TESTED THEM FOR LIKE A HALF HOUR. HOW LONG IS A LIGHT SYSTEM LIKE THIS LAST (YEARS?). I NOW BULBS AND THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I GUESS WHAT I MEAN IS DO BALLAST LAST ALONG TIME OR SHOULD I BE WORRIED OF A SHORT OR FIRE CAUSED BY THEM BECAUSE IT IS AN OLDER SYSTEM. FROM WHAT IM TOLD THEY TYPICALLY WORK OR THEY DONT. ALL THE WIRING AND MOGAL ENDS ARE IN EXCELENT SHAPE I OPENED THE BALLAST CASE AND THE BALLAST LOOK LIKE NORMAL BALLASTS THEY SAY ADVANCED SOMTHING COMPANY ON THEM. PLEASE LET ME NOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS. I AM TYPICALLY PARINOID. JUST MY NATURE THANKS

 

[chaseracing]

Great Question. I have no idea, but I am along for the ride.

-=E=-

 

[pogodzib]

The Advance ballasts are the low end of the line when it comes to MH ballast, but is one of the most popular kinds due to their price. I had to replace my ballast and capacitors when the fixture was between 8-10 years old because they stopped firing up the bulbs. I wouldn't worry about them causing a fire hazard just because they are getting old.

BTW - Hellolights.com sells the raw Advance ballasts so you could check out to see what it costs to replace them with new ballasts and capacitors. I think they are in the $60+ range.