need help with my metal halides

Ryjack26 · 10/06/2010, 07:27 PM

hey guys,

so ive got a hamilton 2x-250w halide and 2x-96w pc retrofit fixture, so lately ive been having problems with them lighting when they come on, if i touch them/wiggle them they will turn on, sometimes if i get my hand really close to them they will light. the ballasts are also making a really annoying buzzing sound. i know for a fact that its not the bulbs because i bought new ones and it was doing the same thing, could it be a problem with the ballasts?
i would appreciate it if someone could help me out, ps u can check out my tank on youtube, my username is ryjack26, thanks

uncleof6 · 10/07/2010, 12:23 AM

Are the reflectors grounded? (ref the hand trick) The buzzing of the ballasts says they are on their way out the door, or otherwise unable to strike the lamps.

Check for loose wires, abraded wires etc. (high resistance short) Failing a problem there, you are out of luck. Especially if they are DE lamps, as M80 ballasts are very expensive-- if you can find one-- they are out of production. (except for Orsam/Sylvania) Some vendors have some old stock, so you may not be so out of luck

But I am going to say this right from the hip: Do not play with those lamps while there is power applied to the ballast!!! They will kill you, and the GFCI will not trip!!

Jim

kalapnath · 10/07/2010, 05:20 AM

sounds like the ballast are going the flickering is one of the first signs..........

Ryjack26 · 10/07/2010, 05:40 AM

im going to open the ballast box and see what is buzzing, i dont have reflectors on this retrofit. you can see the lights at youtube. type in ryjack26 and look for my video called new metal halides. (this is before they started to not turn on)

uncleof6 · 10/07/2010, 09:18 AM

The "reflector" is the metal housing the lamp holders are mounted to.

Here is what I suggest you do, before you get hurt. Contact Hamilton, tell them what is going on with the fixture-- before you open the ballast box with the power turned on. (whether you turn it on after you open it or not.)

Jim

Ryjack26 · 10/07/2010, 07:39 PM

ok i will call them, and i'll update you on it, thanks

10/06/2010, 07:27 PM	#1
Ryjack26 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13	need help with my metal halides hey guys, so ive got a hamilton 2x-250w halide and 2x-96w pc retrofit fixture, so lately ive been having problems with them lighting when they come on, if i touch them/wiggle them they will turn on, sometimes if i get my hand really close to them they will light. the ballasts are also making a really annoying buzzing sound. i know for a fact that its not the bulbs because i bought new ones and it was doing the same thing, could it be a problem with the ballasts? i would appreciate it if someone could help me out, ps u can check out my tank on youtube, my username is ryjack26, thanks

10/07/2010, 12:23 AM	#2
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	Are the reflectors grounded? (ref the hand trick) The buzzing of the ballasts says they are on their way out the door, or otherwise unable to strike the lamps. Check for loose wires, abraded wires etc. (high resistance short) Failing a problem there, you are out of luck. Especially if they are DE lamps, as M80 ballasts are very expensive-- if you can find one-- they are out of production. (except for Orsam/Sylvania) Some vendors have some old stock, so you may not be so out of luck But I am going to say this right from the hip: Do not play with those lamps while there is power applied to the ballast!!! They will kill you, and the GFCI will not trip!! Jim __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

10/07/2010, 09:18 AM	#5
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	The "reflector" is the metal housing the lamp holders are mounted to. Here is what I suggest you do, before you get hurt. Contact Hamilton, tell them what is going on with the fixture-- before you open the ballast box with the power turned on. (whether you turn it on after you open it or not.) Jim __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

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10/07/2010, 05:20 AM	#3
kalapnath Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 69	sounds like the ballast are going the flickering is one of the first signs..........

10/07/2010, 05:40 AM	#4
Ryjack26 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13	im going to open the ballast box and see what is buzzing, i dont have reflectors on this retrofit. you can see the lights at youtube. type in ryjack26 and look for my video called new metal halides. (this is before they started to not turn on)

10/07/2010, 07:39 PM	#6
Ryjack26 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13	ok i will call them, and i'll update you on it, thanks