What determines the length of time it takes for MH lights to fire up? I recently bought a 175W retro-fit system already wired up and in the canopy hood. It has 3 bulbs and the one in the middle is on a separate Hamilton ballast. Everything has been plugged up for about 15 minutes now but the middle bulb fired up for a few minutes and now its off and it took about five minutes for one of the outside MH to come on. The ballasts look pretty old and so do the lights but I don't know how old?
MH Lights
- Thread starter ramous
- Start date
PaulErik
Premium Member
What lamps are you using?
Generally the lamp should light within a few minutes. If it takes a while it could mean the lamps are old or they are the improper type for that ballast. This is common if you have a standard ANSI M57 ballast and try to use a Ushio or other pulse start ANSI M137/M152 lamp.
It could also mean the ballast is starting to operate out of spec and not providing sufficient voltage at start up. The part that can cause this is a failing/old capacitor.
Generally the lamp should light within a few minutes. If it takes a while it could mean the lamps are old or they are the improper type for that ballast. This is common if you have a standard ANSI M57 ballast and try to use a Ushio or other pulse start ANSI M137/M152 lamp.
It could also mean the ballast is starting to operate out of spec and not providing sufficient voltage at start up. The part that can cause this is a failing/old capacitor.
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks. I don't know what brand bulbs they are. Doesn't state on them anywhere (at least I can't see) but all 3 are fired up now. I flipped the ballast switch about 30 minutes ago and the middle bulb fired right back up and so far still going. Can I take the ballasts to a local fish store for them to check out or should I just take the whole set-up to a lighting store to double check the wiring and ballasts?
Thanks
Thanks. I don't know what brand bulbs they are. Doesn't state on them anywhere (at least I can't see) but all 3 are fired up now. I flipped the ballast switch about 30 minutes ago and the middle bulb fired right back up and so far still going. Can I take the ballasts to a local fish store for them to check out or should I just take the whole set-up to a lighting store to double check the wiring and ballasts?
