Problem with Metal Halide socket ...

DarG · 04/25/2007, 07:57 AM

Have a question for those of you who have DIY or retro halide lighting systems. One of my 150 watt de sockets has a problem. One of the contacts doesn't seem to stick out enough, if that makes sense. It's too far back in the ceramic "housing". I'm referring to the metal contacts that are spring loaded. Are these adjustable at all? I can't get good contact with some of the lamps in which the glass ends are larger/thicker.
I haven't taken the fixture apart yet. I wanted to ask first if these were adjustable or if maybe I had to physically bend the contact tab ... or replace the socket if not adjustable.

Any help will be appreciated (if this makes sense).

Thanks

shag26272 · 04/25/2007, 08:05 AM

Ive heard that some bulbs are a tiny bit different in size is it 1 piece or 2? can you move them closer to each other?

DarG · 04/25/2007, 09:27 AM

No, doesn't look like the distance between contacts is adjustable, if that's what you mean. It's just that the one metal "tab" that the contact "button" is on is recessed too far back in the socket compared to the other side of the same socket AND compared to the tabs on the other fixtures scoket. I guess what I'm asking is whether the tabs themselves are adjustable by some type of mechanism or whether they can be adjusted by bending them a little. Basically, I'm not sure how the sockets are made because I haven't taken the fixture apart or ever put together a DIY halide system or replaced a socket.

shag26272 · 04/25/2007, 09:29 AM

heres what you need

http://hellolights.com/70w15hqisopa.html

DarG · 04/25/2007, 10:29 AM

Mine has these ... http://hellolights.com/70hqisopawbr.html

So, there is no adjusting the contact? do i need to replace the socket then?

The one you posted won't work. I think I need the one I linked. Those other sockets won't fit in the reflector holes where the sockets are located and I don't want to modify the reflector.

Assuming, of course, that I can't adjust or fix what I already have. I'd rather do that if there is a way to do it.

04/25/2007, 07:57 AM	#1
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Problem with Metal Halide socket ... Have a question for those of you who have DIY or retro halide lighting systems. One of my 150 watt de sockets has a problem. One of the contacts doesn't seem to stick out enough, if that makes sense. It's too far back in the ceramic "housing". I'm referring to the metal contacts that are spring loaded. Are these adjustable at all? I can't get good contact with some of the lamps in which the glass ends are larger/thicker. I haven't taken the fixture apart yet. I wanted to ask first if these were adjustable or if maybe I had to physically bend the contact tab ... or replace the socket if not adjustable. Any help will be appreciated (if this makes sense). Thanks

04/25/2007, 08:05 AM	#2
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	Ive heard that some bulbs are a tiny bit different in size is it 1 piece or 2? can you move them closer to each other? __________________ .

04/25/2007, 09:29 AM	#4
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	heres what you need http://hellolights.com/70w15hqisopa.html __________________ .

04/25/2007, 10:29 AM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Mine has these ... http://hellolights.com/70hqisopawbr.html So, there is no adjusting the contact? do i need to replace the socket then? The one you posted won't work. I think I need the one I linked. Those other sockets won't fit in the reflector holes where the sockets are located and I don't want to modify the reflector. Assuming, of course, that I can't adjust or fix what I already have. I'd rather do that if there is a way to do it. Last edited by DarG; 04/25/2007 at 11:19 AM.

04/25/2007, 09:27 AM	#3
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	No, doesn't look like the distance between contacts is adjustable, if that's what you mean. It's just that the one metal "tab" that the contact "button" is on is recessed too far back in the socket compared to the other side of the same socket AND compared to the tabs on the other fixtures scoket. I guess what I'm asking is whether the tabs themselves are adjustable by some type of mechanism or whether they can be adjusted by bending them a little. Basically, I'm not sure how the sockets are made because I haven't taken the fixture apart or ever put together a DIY halide system or replaced a socket.