MH one lamp keeps going out?

HumbleFish · 04/07/2013, 10:27 PM

I'm currently running 2-250w 14K Hamiltons on a Galaxy 250 watt ballast. Both lamps fire up OK, but after an hour or two the right lamp goes out (the left one stays on). This is a problem that started several months ago as a every now & then thing; to now it's an all-the-time sorta thing. I know it can't be the bulbs, because it was doing this with my old bulbs as well. Also (every great now and then) it's the left lamp that will switch off while the right one stays light. So, that makes me think it's a ballast issue.

Anyone ever seen this before? I thought I would start my troubleshooting by removing the wooden canopy, and spraying everything with contact spray. Including the insides of the sockets. And then I guess replacing the sockets if that doesn't work. Keep going by trial and error until I've solved the problem. But any insight would be greatly appreciated.

HumbleFish · 04/07/2013, 10:48 PM

Forgot to mention that it is a dual 250w ballast.

jBugg · 04/08/2013, 12:47 PM

Hey, I am getting the same problem too. I have a dual Catalina Aquariums 250w ballast. The right side usually does not turn on now. I have an old ballast so it may be end-of-life. I am not going to bother fixing as I might go another route for lighting.

HumbleFish · 04/08/2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jBugg

Hey, I am getting the same problem too. I have a dual Catalina Aquariums 250w ballast. The right side usually does not turn on now. I have an old ballast so it may be end-of-life. I am not going to bother fixing as I might go another route for lighting.

I have a dual ballast, so tonight I switched the plugs. And now it's the left bulb constantly going out. So, I'm pretty sure it's the ballast dying a slow death.

04/07/2013, 10:27 PM	#1
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	MH one lamp keeps going out? I'm currently running 2-250w 14K Hamiltons on a Galaxy 250 watt ballast. Both lamps fire up OK, but after an hour or two the right lamp goes out (the left one stays on). This is a problem that started several months ago as a every now & then thing; to now it's an all-the-time sorta thing. I know it can't be the bulbs, because it was doing this with my old bulbs as well. Also (every great now and then) it's the left lamp that will switch off while the right one stays light. So, that makes me think it's a ballast issue. Anyone ever seen this before? I thought I would start my troubleshooting by removing the wooden canopy, and spraying everything with contact spray. Including the insides of the sockets. And then I guess replacing the sockets if that doesn't work. Keep going by trial and error until I've solved the problem. But any insight would be greatly appreciated.

04/07/2013, 10:48 PM	#2
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	Forgot to mention that it is a dual 250w ballast.

04/08/2013, 12:47 PM	#3
jBugg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 140	Hey, I am getting the same problem too. I have a dual Catalina Aquariums 250w ballast. The right side usually does not turn on now. I have an old ballast so it may be end-of-life. I am not going to bother fixing as I might go another route for lighting.