Troubleshooting MH

[Randrew215]

I've had a difficult time getting a MH ballast to fire. When it does fire it has no problem staying on. Taking the ballast apart, I see that there is a separate ignitor (electronic ballast) that I suspect is the source of the problem. I can fire the bulb with a separate ballast and cannot fire separate bulbs with the problematic ballast. I tried removing an extension of power cord and it did not improve firing. I can replace the part, but overall it would cost $50 with shipping. Am I better off sucking it up and buying a new ballast? I only need to power a single 250 watt de mh bulb. I appreciate any input.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

I thought that most electronic ballasts were potted in epoxy so that when they went, they need to be replaced.

I don't know enough about testing them to give any advice.

When my electronic ballasts started getting flaky, I replaced them with Aquamedic Reeflex Cube magnetic HQI ballasts. Since they're magnetic, they are fixable unlike most electronic ballasts and weren't horribly expensive.

Hopefully someone with more experience with e-ballasts will chime in.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I'm confused

I'm confused

is this an electronic ballast? It doesn't sound like it is...
Post or describe what ballast and MH lamps you're working with.
Certain MH lamps will not fire correctly with certain ballasts even if the wattages match.