ARO electronic and XM 10K

WessB · 01/20/2006, 12:42 PM

I am beating my head against the wall here. Is anyone running the combination of ARO 250W electronic ballast and an XM 10 K bulb that is having problems? The ballast fired the bulb fine for the first couple of days but then it quit firing it. I could sometimes get it to light by unplugging it and trying again a couple of times. It will fire the XM 15K almost instantly. When I put the 10K back in I can hear the ballast " buzzing " trying to fire the lamp but after 5 minutes or less it just goes silent. I have this set up on a "reefkeeper" but have had the same results plugged into a completely different circuit without the reefkeeper. The peolpe I got the bulb from are saying there is a " known issue " with electronic ballasts and XM 10K`s as far as "icecap" goes, they have not heard of ARO issues...are others having issues with ARO ballasts and XM 10K`s?????? Any ideas either way....my thought is the ballast is giving up trying to fire to soon. With respect/kudos to "hellolights" they are sending me a replacement ballast either way.....I am leaving for an 8 day vacation next weekend and hate to leave this system unreliable, so the 15K will be in for a little while to come....HELP..."Reef Tank Lighting " is recommending using a 10K Hamilton to solve the problem !!!!

Wess

WessB · 01/20/2006, 02:49 PM

I just realized I didn`t mention this is DE.

Bebo77 · 01/20/2006, 03:48 PM

its the XM bulbs i am having the same trouble with my icecaps and the XM's i think XM has some serious deign issues.

rockindacheeks · 01/20/2006, 04:16 PM

Ice Cap is the only ballast that wont fire an XM...

but the problem is with the XM's???

WessB · 01/20/2006, 04:31 PM

My point in asking here!!!! ...have read many times, and confirmed by "Reef Tank Lighting" there is a "known" issue with icecap and XM10K, so be it, not my point anyway, I agree with you Dan....was hoping to find out if ARO users are starting to have any problems..or better yet, answers to my problem..LOL

Wess

rockindacheeks · 01/20/2006, 04:38 PM

sorry i couldnt answer your question... but hopefully that ballast Hellolights is sending you will fix your problem...

WessB · 01/20/2006, 06:42 PM

Didn`t mean to sound like I was coming down on you..by any means...you raised a very valid point, that I agreed with..I dont think there is a problem with the bulbs " in general " but specific instances with ballasts other than icecap that might get rolled into the same scenario......I`m trying to discover if there is an issue with ARO ballasts if one in fact does exist..and I`m not saying one does...merely trying to see if others are experiencing a similar problem...Hellolights have been more than understanding in this whole issue and are as eager as I am to find out if a problem does exist, although their stand is .." it is the bulb "...only time will tell..

Wess

WessB · 01/21/2006, 10:45 AM

Shameless bump

moonpod · 01/21/2006, 12:03 PM

My understanding is that it's the bulb design. Something about the way the bulb is made requires an inordinate amount of current or something like that to start it up. The gas chamber is longer than usually or something. Therefore the IC ballast detects it as a misfire or something like that and won't fire it up. Similarly the 150w DE Radium won't fire up reliably on an IC ballast either. Some of the other electronics aren't quite so picky and will fire 'em and magnetics of course will fire 'em.

rockindacheeks · 01/21/2006, 06:54 PM

im sure every company that makes halide lamps has a few bad apples... not just XM... i love my XM. i run a 150 20K on an ARO E ballast and no problems yet...

DrBDC · 01/21/2006, 07:23 PM

I run the xm10,000k's on an ARO ballast but they are 175's. I know, not much help.

jefathome · 03/02/2006, 07:43 PM

Any updates on this?

Shadowramy · 03/03/2006, 01:02 AM

I run 250 SE on ARO, no problems as of yet - been 2 months

Justdrew · 03/03/2006, 01:14 AM

I used to run an XM 15K on an ARO e-ballast and a Coralvue e-ballast. Both ballasts had problem firing the bulb. I switched to a Phoenix bulb and both fire it up immediatley.

tangwang · 03/03/2006, 06:42 AM

Just an FYI, The ARO 250w is identicle to the IC 250w, just has a different label... I know a few people who can't get them to fire XDE 10000k's

DrBDC · 03/03/2006, 07:18 AM

They can't be the same. Icecap ballasts will interfere with controllers due to the "noise" produced interfering with the X10 signals. ARO have no problems.

Chris@IceCap · 03/03/2006, 08:06 AM

IceCap Update:

The IceCap ballast won't fire XM bulbs is ancient history from about 3-4 years ago. Shortly after XM bulbs were available on the market they became aware or their design problems and quickly fixed this problem. There are zero issues with IceCap and XM bulbs!

As for the IceCap 150-MH and Radium problems, this has also been addressed and about 2-3 years ago we changed a 150-MH design and now everything is fine.

Finally addressing the "noise" rumor, IceCap ballasts produce no more noise than any other electronic ballast manufacturer. X10 technology can be very flaky and problems are unfortunately blamed on the ballast. The reason why you hear of more X10 issues with IceCap ballasts is simply because we outsell all of the other brands combined in the aquarium hobby.

Chris
IceCap Inc.

jefathome · 03/03/2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris@IceCap
IceCap Update:

The IceCap ballast won't fire XM bulbs is ancient history from about 3-4 years ago. Shortly after XM bulbs were available on the market they became aware or their design problems and quickly fixed this problem. There are zero issues with IceCap and XM bulbs!

As for the IceCap 150-MH and Radium problems, this has also been addressed and about 2-3 years ago we changed a 150-MH design and now everything is fine.

Finally addressing the "noise" rumor, IceCap ballasts produce no more noise than any other electronic ballast manufacturer. X10 technology can be very flaky and problems are unfortunately blamed on the ballast. The reason why you hear of more X10 issues with IceCap ballasts is simply because we outsell all of the other brands combined in the aquarium hobby.

Chris
IceCap Inc.

I notice you didn't address the "IceCap is the same as an ARO" comment.

Chris@IceCap · 03/03/2006, 12:23 PM

I've only seen pictures of the ARO ballast, never had one in my hands or tested them. It wouldn't be proper of me to comment that they're the same or not since I'm not sure.

If anyone is will to send me one I'd be happy to look into this.

Chris
IceCap Inc.

Medicine Man · 03/03/2006, 01:06 PM

Just FYI I own an electronic ARO 250 MH ballast and 3 Icecap 250 MH all running XM 10K SE 250 watt bulbs on all 4 ballast. The Icecap ballast clearly drives the XM 10k brighter than the ARO. It's night and day! I have never had any problems with either ballast firing the XM bulbs.

RichConley · 03/03/2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris@IceCap
IceCap Update:

The IceCap ballast won't fire XM bulbs is ancient history from about 3-4 years ago. Shortly after XM bulbs were available on the market they became aware or their design problems and quickly fixed this problem. There are zero issues with IceCap and XM bulbs!

Chris
IceCap Inc.

My Icecap wont fire my XM DE bulbs.

Then again, enither will my ARO e-ballast.

My brother's mag ballasts will....

Chris@IceCap · 03/03/2006, 01:11 PM

This is this first time ever I'm glad to hear that someone bought a ARO ballast.

LOL

Chris
IceCap Inc.

Chris@IceCap · 03/03/2006, 01:15 PM

RichConley:

That sounds like a bad XM bulb to me! Try to return it to Hellolights/XM Lighting (Same Company) for a new one.

Chris
IceCap Inc.

RichConley · 03/03/2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris@IceCap
RichConley:

That sounds like a bad XM bulb to me! Try to return it to Hellolights/XM Lighting (Same Company) for a new one.

Chris
IceCap Inc.

I can't, I'm basically SOL. I bought it 6 months or so, and didnt get around to trying it until recently, and dont have the packing slip/reciept.

DrBDC · 03/03/2006, 01:19 PM

There's no way that an ARO ballast is a repackaged Icecap ballast. On an Iwasaki bulb there is almost 50 PAR more with the Icecap. Here's a link which shows some various ballast bulb combinations and outputs:

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

01/20/2006, 12:42 PM	#1
WessB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: College Park, Md Posts: 94	ARO electronic and XM 10K I am beating my head against the wall here. Is anyone running the combination of ARO 250W electronic ballast and an XM 10 K bulb that is having problems? The ballast fired the bulb fine for the first couple of days but then it quit firing it. I could sometimes get it to light by unplugging it and trying again a couple of times. It will fire the XM 15K almost instantly. When I put the 10K back in I can hear the ballast " buzzing " trying to fire the lamp but after 5 minutes or less it just goes silent. I have this set up on a "reefkeeper" but have had the same results plugged into a completely different circuit without the reefkeeper. The peolpe I got the bulb from are saying there is a " known issue " with electronic ballasts and XM 10K`s as far as "icecap" goes, they have not heard of ARO issues...are others having issues with ARO ballasts and XM 10K`s?????? Any ideas either way....my thought is the ballast is giving up trying to fire to soon. With respect/kudos to "hellolights" they are sending me a replacement ballast either way.....I am leaving for an 8 day vacation next weekend and hate to leave this system unreliable, so the 15K will be in for a little while to come....HELP..."Reef Tank Lighting " is recommending using a 10K Hamilton to solve the problem !!!! Wess

01/20/2006, 03:48 PM	#3
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	its the XM bulbs i am having the same trouble with my icecaps and the XM's i think XM has some serious deign issues. __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

01/20/2006, 04:16 PM	#4
rockindacheeks Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Corona, California Posts: 2,072	Ice Cap is the only ballast that wont fire an XM... but the problem is with the XM's??? __________________ My name is Dan, and I'm a closet reefer... Current Tank Info: 28g nanocube

01/20/2006, 04:38 PM	#6
rockindacheeks Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Corona, California Posts: 2,072	sorry i couldnt answer your question... but hopefully that ballast Hellolights is sending you will fix your problem... __________________ My name is Dan, and I'm a closet reefer... Current Tank Info: 28g nanocube

01/21/2006, 12:03 PM	#9
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	My understanding is that it's the bulb design. Something about the way the bulb is made requires an inordinate amount of current or something like that to start it up. The gas chamber is longer than usually or something. Therefore the IC ballast detects it as a misfire or something like that and won't fire it up. Similarly the 150w DE Radium won't fire up reliably on an IC ballast either. Some of the other electronics aren't quite so picky and will fire 'em and magnetics of course will fire 'em. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

01/20/2006, 02:49 PM	#2
WessB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: College Park, Md Posts: 94	I just realized I didn`t mention this is DE.

01/20/2006, 04:31 PM	#5
WessB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: College Park, Md Posts: 94	My point in asking here!!!! ...have read many times, and confirmed by "Reef Tank Lighting" there is a "known" issue with icecap and XM10K, so be it, not my point anyway, I agree with you Dan....was hoping to find out if ARO users are starting to have any problems..or better yet, answers to my problem..LOL Wess

01/20/2006, 06:42 PM	#7
WessB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: College Park, Md Posts: 94	Didn`t mean to sound like I was coming down on you..by any means...you raised a very valid point, that I agreed with..I dont think there is a problem with the bulbs " in general " but specific instances with ballasts other than icecap that might get rolled into the same scenario......I`m trying to discover if there is an issue with ARO ballasts if one in fact does exist..and I`m not saying one does...merely trying to see if others are experiencing a similar problem...Hellolights have been more than understanding in this whole issue and are as eager as I am to find out if a problem does exist, although their stand is .." it is the bulb "...only time will tell.. Wess

01/21/2006, 10:45 AM	#8
WessB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: College Park, Md Posts: 94	Shameless bump

01/21/2006, 06:54 PM	#10
rockindacheeks Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Corona, California Posts: 2,072	im sure every company that makes halide lamps has a few bad apples... not just XM... i love my XM. i run a 150 20K on an ARO E ballast and no problems yet... __________________ My name is Dan, and I'm a closet reefer... Current Tank Info: 28g nanocube

01/21/2006, 07:23 PM	#11
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	I run the xm10,000k's on an ARO ballast but they are 175's. I know, not much help. __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

03/02/2006, 07:43 PM	#12
jefathome Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 2,915	Any updates on this? __________________ Without Geometry, life is pointless Current Tank Info: NEW 150g in-wall Solartube display; 60g 4x2ft frag tank; 3g work Pico.... all Reef tanks

03/03/2006, 01:02 AM	#13
Shadowramy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 598	I run 250 SE on ARO, no problems as of yet - been 2 months

03/03/2006, 01:14 AM	#14
Justdrew Dad with Triplets! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 583	I used to run an XM 15K on an ARO e-ballast and a Coralvue e-ballast. Both ballasts had problem firing the bulb. I switched to a Phoenix bulb and both fire it up immediatley. __________________ "As Far As You Know!" -Fletch Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 2X Radion XR15W, Vortech MP40 & MP10, Simplicity Aquatics 240DC Skimmer, Apex Controlled

03/03/2006, 06:42 AM	#15
tangwang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,480	Just an FYI, The ARO 250w is identicle to the IC 250w, just has a different label... I know a few people who can't get them to fire XDE 10000k's __________________ You can knock at any door, but wherever you go you know they've been there before........ Current Tank Info: No current tanks..

03/03/2006, 07:18 AM	#16
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	They can't be the same. Icecap ballasts will interfere with controllers due to the "noise" produced interfering with the X10 signals. ARO have no problems. __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

03/03/2006, 08:06 AM	#17
Chris@IceCap Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hamilton Square, NJ Posts: 138	IceCap Update: The IceCap ballast won't fire XM bulbs is ancient history from about 3-4 years ago. Shortly after XM bulbs were available on the market they became aware or their design problems and quickly fixed this problem. There are zero issues with IceCap and XM bulbs! As for the IceCap 150-MH and Radium problems, this has also been addressed and about 2-3 years ago we changed a 150-MH design and now everything is fine. Finally addressing the "noise" rumor, IceCap ballasts produce no more noise than any other electronic ballast manufacturer. X10 technology can be very flaky and problems are unfortunately blamed on the ballast. The reason why you hear of more X10 issues with IceCap ballasts is simply because we outsell all of the other brands combined in the aquarium hobby. Chris IceCap Inc.

03/03/2006, 12:23 PM	#19
Chris@IceCap Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hamilton Square, NJ Posts: 138	I've only seen pictures of the ARO ballast, never had one in my hands or tested them. It wouldn't be proper of me to comment that they're the same or not since I'm not sure. If anyone is will to send me one I'd be happy to look into this. Chris IceCap Inc.

03/03/2006, 01:06 PM	#20
Medicine Man Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 795	Just FYI I own an electronic ARO 250 MH ballast and 3 Icecap 250 MH all running XM 10K SE 250 watt bulbs on all 4 ballast. The Icecap ballast clearly drives the XM 10k brighter than the ARO. It's night and day! I have never had any problems with either ballast firing the XM bulbs. __________________ Feature Tank Winter 2009 theseas.org When you rob Peter to pay Paul you can always count on the support of Paul. Current Tank Info: Starfire 150 Gallon Cube LPS/SPS System

03/03/2006, 01:11 PM	#22
Chris@IceCap Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hamilton Square, NJ Posts: 138	This is this first time ever I'm glad to hear that someone bought a ARO ballast. LOL Chris IceCap Inc.

03/03/2006, 01:15 PM	#23
Chris@IceCap Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hamilton Square, NJ Posts: 138	RichConley: That sounds like a bad XM bulb to me! Try to return it to Hellolights/XM Lighting (Same Company) for a new one. Chris IceCap Inc.

03/03/2006, 01:19 PM	#25
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	There's no way that an ARO ballast is a repackaged Icecap ballast. On an Iwasaki bulb there is almost 50 PAR more with the Icecap. Here's a link which shows some various ballast bulb combinations and outputs: http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff