My F@($in 150w MH isn't working right!!

Nano_reeflover · 12/17/2007, 06:38 PM

I plug in the ballast and the bulb will light up for about 20sec then it goes out. The bulb doesnt get to full out put. It seems like its not getting enough power?? I've tried a new bulb, checked the wiring, cleaned the contacts, different outlets, etc. It just wont stay on! I'm starting to get ****ed now cause the bulb took forever to get here and i thought that would fix the problem. Any suggestions? BTW, its a Sunpark ballast with a DIY pendant.

http://www.sunpkco.com/productdetail...id=1&curid2=24

SCIFI_3D_zoo · 12/17/2007, 06:51 PM

Assuming the obvious like the ballast matching the type of bulb you are using... I've had some problems recently myself. A couple of times it was those damn Coralife dual-timers. They just don't hold up. Dials break or it's getting salt inside it or something.

I just installed new bulbs and I noticed the go off and on sometimes. Sometimes I can't make them go off. Other times I notice them off or I can just barely move the fixture and they do. These are my actinics, the MH are ok. Must be some sorta short or something... I'm just trying to avoid taking my entire canopy and fixture apart.

oct2274 · 12/17/2007, 06:57 PM

that ballast is for SE 150 bulbs, it may not be able to fire DE style bulbs. Yes.......believe it or not they do make SE 150's just not many for aquarium use and there isn't much of a selection at all. Only 150 SE bulb i know of off the top of my head is a 6500K iwasaki I believe.

Nano_reeflover · 12/17/2007, 07:00 PM

Well the thing is its worked for months on the previous bulb. So I'm thinking the ballast just crapped out? But why would it still fire the bulb, although not completely? I can't figure it out.

Just looked at mine and its not exactly the same as the one linked. Mine has a DE bulb pictured on it.

SuperAWE · 12/17/2007, 07:01 PM

Ahh you answered my question as I posted it... sounds like the ballast.

SCIFI_3D_zoo · 12/17/2007, 07:01 PM

If you think it's narrowed down to the ballast I'd ask the manufacturer. They know their product well. Talk to the bulb maker too.

oct2274 · 12/17/2007, 07:02 PM

borrow a ballast made for 150 DE bulbs, i bet they will fire. if that is the case then you know it is time to get a ballast made to be used with de bulbs.

Nano_reeflover · 12/17/2007, 07:08 PM

oh and its my understanding that electronic ballasts fire any kind of bulb if its the correct wattage.

oct2274 · 12/17/2007, 07:09 PM

icecaps will for the most part - not all - icecap even states that it might not fire all bulbs, but i don't know about that unit. it isn't made for aquarium lighting. again, see if you can find someone local that has a 150 system that will try to fire your bulbs or has an extra ballast for 150 DE bulbs whether it is mag or electric. I'm sure the bulbs will fire.

Nano_reeflover · 12/17/2007, 07:13 PM

k I'll ask around.

dan10342 · 12/17/2007, 07:36 PM

thats the ballast they use in the 70 watt sunpod!! not the 150

dan10342 · 12/17/2007, 07:37 PM

heres the 150 http://marineandreef.com/products/cu...50Wballast.jpg

Nano_reeflover · 12/17/2007, 07:52 PM

yup thats the one I have.

12/17/2007, 06:38 PM	#1
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	My F@($in 150w MH isn't working right!! I plug in the ballast and the bulb will light up for about 20sec then it goes out. The bulb doesnt get to full out put. It seems like its not getting enough power?? I've tried a new bulb, checked the wiring, cleaned the contacts, different outlets, etc. It just wont stay on! I'm starting to get ****ed now cause the bulb took forever to get here and i thought that would fix the problem. Any suggestions? BTW, its a Sunpark ballast with a DIY pendant. http://www.sunpkco.com/productdetail...id=1&curid2=24

12/17/2007, 07:09 PM	#9
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	icecaps will for the most part - not all - icecap even states that it might not fire all bulbs, but i don't know about that unit. it isn't made for aquarium lighting. again, see if you can find someone local that has a 150 system that will try to fire your bulbs or has an extra ballast for 150 DE bulbs whether it is mag or electric. I'm sure the bulbs will fire. Last edited by oct2274; 12/17/2007 at 07:16 PM.

12/17/2007, 06:51 PM	#2
SCIFI_3D_zoo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sebring, Florida Posts: 1,072	Assuming the obvious like the ballast matching the type of bulb you are using... I've had some problems recently myself. A couple of times it was those damn Coralife dual-timers. They just don't hold up. Dials break or it's getting salt inside it or something. I just installed new bulbs and I noticed the go off and on sometimes. Sometimes I can't make them go off. Other times I notice them off or I can just barely move the fixture and they do. These are my actinics, the MH are ok. Must be some sorta short or something... I'm just trying to avoid taking my entire canopy and fixture apart.

12/17/2007, 06:57 PM	#3
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	that ballast is for SE 150 bulbs, it may not be able to fire DE style bulbs. Yes.......believe it or not they do make SE 150's just not many for aquarium use and there isn't much of a selection at all. Only 150 SE bulb i know of off the top of my head is a 6500K iwasaki I believe.

12/17/2007, 07:00 PM	#4
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	Well the thing is its worked for months on the previous bulb. So I'm thinking the ballast just crapped out? But why would it still fire the bulb, although not completely? I can't figure it out. Just looked at mine and its not exactly the same as the one linked. Mine has a DE bulb pictured on it.

12/17/2007, 07:01 PM	#5
SuperAWE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 245	Ahh you answered my question as I posted it... sounds like the ballast.

12/17/2007, 07:02 PM	#7
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	borrow a ballast made for 150 DE bulbs, i bet they will fire. if that is the case then you know it is time to get a ballast made to be used with de bulbs.

12/17/2007, 07:08 PM	#8
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	oh and its my understanding that electronic ballasts fire any kind of bulb if its the correct wattage.

12/17/2007, 07:13 PM	#10
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	k I'll ask around.

12/17/2007, 07:36 PM	#11
dan10342 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneseo, NY Posts: 3,331	thats the ballast they use in the 70 watt sunpod!! not the 150

12/17/2007, 07:37 PM	#12
dan10342 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneseo, NY Posts: 3,331	heres the 150 http://marineandreef.com/products/cu...50Wballast.jpg

12/17/2007, 07:52 PM	#13
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	yup thats the one I have.