250w radium ballast ?

Billy P · 07/10/2008, 05:57 PM

I am trying to run a 250w radium on a M80 HQI ballast made for a double ended hamilton and it does not want to fire, I know that it is wire correctly maybe I need a different cap or starter, please help if you know what I need to do to make it work.

Billy P · 07/10/2008, 07:15 PM

any one?

PaulErik · 07/10/2008, 08:13 PM

An ANSI M80 (HQI) ballast is the recommended ballast for the Radium 250-watt lamp and should start right away. Make sure the lamp is making proper contact with the socket. With the power off you can use a flat head screw driver and slightly lift the center tab in the socket. Does the inner bulb glow dimly when the ballast is powered on? If yes this indicates the lamp is not making proper electrical contact. Does the ballast buzz when powered on (without a lamp operating)? If not this may indicate the ignitor has failed.

Billy P · 07/11/2008, 02:52 PM

thanks but I still cant seem to get it going

PaulErik · 07/11/2008, 03:51 PM

You have everything to make it work properly. It has to be a faulty lamp, ballast, ignitor or a poor connection somewhere.

Billy P · 07/12/2008, 06:19 PM

thank for your help I found the problem it is that the ballast cant be located more than 5 or 10 feet away from the lamp. I like to keep my ballast outside which is about 30' away, that has never been a problem with my my probe start ballast, but when I tried it with the m80 I burn up the starter. O'well you live and learn, I guess.

07/10/2008, 05:57 PM	#1
Billy P Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake worth FL Posts: 70	250w radium ballast ? I am trying to run a 250w radium on a M80 HQI ballast made for a double ended hamilton and it does not want to fire, I know that it is wire correctly maybe I need a different cap or starter, please help if you know what I need to do to make it work. __________________ "why try to fit in... when you were born to stand out." Current Tank Info: 55g sps w/ 2 400w 20k xm & t5 atintics

07/10/2008, 07:15 PM	#2
Billy P Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake worth FL Posts: 70	any one? __________________ "why try to fit in... when you were born to stand out." Current Tank Info: 55g sps w/ 2 400w 20k xm & t5 atintics

07/11/2008, 02:52 PM	#4
Billy P Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake worth FL Posts: 70	thanks but I still cant seem to get it going __________________ "why try to fit in... when you were born to stand out." Current Tank Info: 55g sps w/ 2 400w 20k xm & t5 atintics

07/12/2008, 06:19 PM	#6
Billy P Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake worth FL Posts: 70	thank for your help I found the problem it is that the ballast cant be located more than 5 or 10 feet away from the lamp. I like to keep my ballast outside which is about 30' away, that has never been a problem with my my probe start ballast, but when I tried it with the m80 I burn up the starter. O'well you live and learn, I guess. __________________ "why try to fit in... when you were born to stand out." Current Tank Info: 55g sps w/ 2 400w 20k xm & t5 atintics

07/10/2008, 08:13 PM	#3
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	An ANSI M80 (HQI) ballast is the recommended ballast for the Radium 250-watt lamp and should start right away. Make sure the lamp is making proper contact with the socket. With the power off you can use a flat head screw driver and slightly lift the center tab in the socket. Does the inner bulb glow dimly when the ballast is powered on? If yes this indicates the lamp is not making proper electrical contact. Does the ballast buzz when powered on (without a lamp operating)? If not this may indicate the ignitor has failed.

07/11/2008, 03:51 PM	#5
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	You have everything to make it work properly. It has to be a faulty lamp, ballast, ignitor or a poor connection somewhere.