probe or pulse

[Kewlworm]

I bought this bulb off ebay and it was claim to be a probe start, but after 2 wks and <70hrs of use, the color changes from blue to yellow and back to blue, and even it changes back to blue it's not as blue as before. Someone in RC said it's because it's a pulse start, but I kinda want you guys opinion too before I contact the seller.

Here is the exact bulb I have:

Oh, and the bulb it said:

20,000 kelvin
T Bulb Shape
E39 Mogul Base
CRI 65

Thanks!
Gary

 

[Rogger Castells]

Gary, what kind of ballast do you have? if it is electronic, it won't matter if the bulb is pulse or probe start electronics ballast will fire just about every bulb there is with very few exeptions. let me know

 

[Rogger Castells]

If you don't know just check in the ballast for a ANSI number something like M58 or M138

 

[Kewlworm]

The ballast is M57 probe start. If the bulb is probe start and an ignitor should be inside the bulb, but I don't know what it looks like. There should be some resistors in there, right?

Thanks!

 

[Rogger Castells]

For some reason I thought you had a 250w ballast and bulb but now I understand that it is a 175w.
Yes, the good news is that the ballast is a probe start and for the most part this ballast is intended for use with American bulbs that have an ignitor in them.
The bad news is that CRI 65 is an indicative that the bulb is a pulse start and does not have an ignitor inside therefore not compatible

 

[Kewlworm]

That's not good! I guess I have to buy another bulb...
What's a good American brand? XM? How about ReefOptic?

Thanks!

 

[Rogger Castells]

I am out of the loop with American made bulbs, coralife use to be it in my time, but, remember I am old!

 

[Kewlworm]

You are not old, you are experienced!



Thanks Rogger!