Strange.. My bulb or ballast bad? 250w MH

[Enyo]

So I've been running an icecap 250w electronic ballast with 14k phoenix bulbs for a few years now but have come across a problem.

About 3 months ago I ordered a new bulb replacement, plugged it in and the bulb would not light. It "tried" to light because I could see the two metal filaments inside the gas envelope get bright red but then they would go out after a few seconds. After a few tries, the gas envelope inside the bulb was black (but no broken pieces). I figured it was a bad bulb and returned it for a new one.

New bulb lit fine.

2 months later, today, my MH wont light up and it's doing the same thing it did with the "bad" bulb earlier. Internal gas envelope is blackened.

Dug up a few of my super old bulbs out of storage, they used to work but had really bad spectrum shift. Comparing the super old bulbs to the current one that wouldnt light, the old ones werent black in the middle chamber. They wont light either.


Is my ballast going out? There is no corrosion on any of the components and I don want to keep buying bulbs, but at the same time i dont want to buy a new ballast if its a degrading compatibility issue or connection problem...


thanks.

 

[Enyo]

Just tried all the bulbs again and one of them will light up but goes out after 10 minutes... then boots up again and goes out in 10, etc.

I was reading on wikipedia on how MH bulbs at the end of their lifespan will get too hot from the pressure and flicker or go out repeatedly.

Doesnt really explain why my old bulbs that previously worked wont light at all though...

 

[sirreal63]

Sounds like the ballast is toast. Time for a new one, I like the Reefflex Cube ballasts and the price is right on them. Run the Phoenix with the HQI spec ballast and it will drive it correctly.

http://www.hellolights.com/250w-reeflex-cube-hqi-ballast---aqua-medic-1.aspx

You can go back with electronic as well, I have had good luck with ARO electronics.

 

[Enyo]

Thanks sirreal63,

I had already ordered a new phoenix bulb in my initial panic, and after considering what you've said I ordered the cube ballast you kindly linked for me. I had no idea The phoenix bulb was specced for magnetic ballasts and I always assumed electronics were superior, however, with some minor research the magnetic ballasts seem to put out more PAR and are more reliable albeit less efficient.

Thanks for your time, and I like your firebird avatar. I have a 99 trans am that is my baby.

 

[sirreal63]

My 97 Firebird is my baby but is starting to show it's age. I probably will never sell it but it doesn't get driven much any more. Electronic ballasts do use less electricity but do not have the power of HQI so more friendly with electricity but don't run HQI bulbs to spec., keep in mind you do not want to run normal SE bulbs with the M80 ballast, thery will decrease the life and actually over drive them. FYI, your Phoenix bulbs should last 14 to 16 months easily.