Metal Halide Flickering???

BLANKENSHIP76 · 12/18/2007, 06:09 PM

I am wondering has anyone else had this happen??

It is a DE bulb, I am wondering if it is a ballast issue or probably just the bulb??

I bought the light a week ago from another reefer and tonight is the first time I have had this issue????

taklein65 · 12/18/2007, 07:33 PM

I would say its more than likely the bulb and not the ballast. Does your fixture have two bulbs or just one. If two feel the ballast housing see if one is hotter then the other. Sometimes a bad ballast will smell like rotten eggs right before it goes or it will hum or just stop working. Don't forget not to touch the bulb with your fingers the oil on your fingers will cause hot spots and shorten the life of the bulb. Use a paper towel or the wrapper the bulb came in to install it.

12/18/2007, 06:09 PM	#1
BLANKENSHIP76 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 827	Metal Halide Flickering??? I am wondering has anyone else had this happen?? It is a DE bulb, I am wondering if it is a ballast issue or probably just the bulb?? I bought the light a week ago from another reefer and tonight is the first time I have had this issue????

12/18/2007, 07:33 PM	#2
taklein65 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Marysville, OH Posts: 116	I would say its more than likely the bulb and not the ballast. Does your fixture have two bulbs or just one. If two feel the ballast housing see if one is hotter then the other. Sometimes a bad ballast will smell like rotten eggs right before it goes or it will hum or just stop working. Don't forget not to touch the bulb with your fingers the oil on your fingers will cause hot spots and shorten the life of the bulb. Use a paper towel or the wrapper the bulb came in to install it.