Preventative maintenance on MH ballast

[doody]

Just wondering if there's any preventative maintenance that needs to be done on ballasts every now and then to keep them running in optimal condition?

 

[doody]

So, just run them til they die?

 

[pheel]

I don't see what maintenance can be done. MH ballast usually last for years and years.

I have worked in a plant in the maintenance department for few years and there was at least 40 MH 400W. I remember only one ballast failure, and those lamps where on 24/7.

 

[MinibowMatt]

keep it dust free, and do a heat check on them from time to time.. SOmetimes the capacitors or ignitors will burn out, but hardly ever do the cores go bad.

 

[doody]

Whats a heat check? I figured there was'nt much to do, but wanted to make sure. I did'nt know if people were takeing them apart and cleaning them or something.

 

[MinibowMatt]

Heat check-- just feel the ballast if it is waay warm, you may have a problem...

 

[jdieck]

And of course keep them dust free specially if they are installed around the stand or canopy, salty mist evaporates and deposits salty dust all over that many times create short circuits. If they are enclosed on a vented box, insure that te vents are also dust free.

 

[doody]

Well, mines pretty hot to the touch.