ARO Ballast and Flicker in Lights??? HELP

guntercb · 08/13/2006, 05:09 PM

I have an ARO AS220 Ballast that powers two 110 Watt VHO bulbs. I just hooked it up to two VHO actinic bulbs, but after running the set up for about 15 minutes both bulbs begin to flicker. It almost looks like lighting going on in the bulb. The best comparison I can say is that it kind of looks like those lighting balls you buy at novelty shops.

Is this just the way ARO ballast work? Do I have bad actinic bulbs? Do I have a faulty connection? What do you think is causing the flicker in the bulbs?

Thanks,
Chris

golfish · 08/13/2006, 06:28 PM

Chris,
I had the same problem with the same ballast and same bulbs...I found the end cap wires to be the problem. Make sure the connection is true.

guntercb · 08/13/2006, 07:35 PM

Golfish,

Thanks for the suggestion. I will double check the end cap wires. I thought I had them pushed in well. But all it takes is a little wire not properly seated to cause some serious issues. )-:

I bought the unit from HelloLights. Hellolights web site said the bulbs I bought some time have a flicker and to give it a day or two and they normally stop. So maybe I just need to give it a bit.

Thanks,
Chris

08/13/2006, 05:09 PM	#1
guntercb Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,626	ARO Ballast and Flicker in Lights??? HELP I have an ARO AS220 Ballast that powers two 110 Watt VHO bulbs. I just hooked it up to two VHO actinic bulbs, but after running the set up for about 15 minutes both bulbs begin to flicker. It almost looks like lighting going on in the bulb. The best comparison I can say is that it kind of looks like those lighting balls you buy at novelty shops. Is this just the way ARO ballast work? Do I have bad actinic bulbs? Do I have a faulty connection? What do you think is causing the flicker in the bulbs? Thanks, Chris

08/13/2006, 06:28 PM	#2
golfish Team RC Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Alta Loma, Ca Posts: 6,776	Chris, I had the same problem with the same ballast and same bulbs...I found the end cap wires to be the problem. Make sure the connection is true.

08/13/2006, 07:35 PM	#3
guntercb Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,626	Golfish, Thanks for the suggestion. I will double check the end cap wires. I thought I had them pushed in well. But all it takes is a little wire not properly seated to cause some serious issues. )-: I bought the unit from HelloLights. Hellolights web site said the bulbs I bought some time have a flicker and to give it a day or two and they normally stop. So maybe I just need to give it a bit. Thanks, Chris