German MH bulbs

[FijiKen]

Wanted to know if anyone has had problems firing up new German MH 175w 10K bulbs. Purchased a PFO Dual MH ballast, PFO sockets, and 2 175w 10K bulbs recently and they had trouble firing up (would turn on very low for 1-2 minutes and both of them would shut off). I called PFO and didn't get much help. Called the place where I had ordered this and they said it was a common problem with German bulbs - especially 10K. They recommended firing it up and leaving it on for 15 minutes (even if the light goes out). After letting it cool for a while, turn it on again and repeat this process until the bulb gets burned in. Is this common? I'll see if I can get a 5.5K bulb to see if it's not the new ballast that is the problem.

 

[myreef]

I had that problem on PFO's dual 250 watt MH ballast. PFO should know what is going on...this is an excerpt from FAQ section of their website www.pfolighting.com

2. The metal halide lamp fires and then either burns dull or the arc extinguishes?

Usually the ballast and lamp are not receiving enough power. Metal halides pull a high current. Usually the problem is either there is too great a load on the circuit or the extension cords are of a small wire size and can't handle the power needed by the ballast. Use only heavy duty extension cords and try running a ballast off a circuit from another part of the house.

I ended upmoving mine to a dedicated circuit and all was fine after that. HTH

 

[kl34479]

I have 175w 10kk bulbs running on PFO and Icecap ballast with identical problem. The problem went away after the first week of usage.

 

[Bobzarry]

My 175w 10k hameltons do the same thing. sometimes they fire on and off a few times before they finaly stay on. I just used to it. once they heat up they stay on.

Bob

[ August 21, 2001: Message edited by: Bobzarry ]

 

[JeremyR]

Hamilton/ushio german 10k's have done this as long as they have been in the hobby.. when they are new, a good portion of them won't fire the first time, but this goes away after a few days of burn in. It has nothing to do with low current or dedicated circuits.. it's just par for the course with those bulbs, and nothing to worry about. I'm really surprised PFO didn't tell you that, but you may have gotten ahold of one of the new phone people.. the only one there who knows anything is Pat, maybe lisa IMO.

 

[FijiKen]

Thanks for everyone's comments - I feel a little bit better. PFO operator did sound like she was new because she was searching for the trouble shooting guide when I was talking to her. She did recommend changing to a dedicated circuit but that didn't sound like the solution. Left the lamps on (even when it dies out)for 15 minutes or so and it didn't shut down afterwards. Reef Fanatic operator said it was a common thing for German MH bulbs until they burn in - that's a relief not having to send the ballast back (this thing is like a size of a large tool box and built like a tank).

 

[myreef]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FijiKen:
<STRONG>She did recommend changing to a dedicated circuit but that didn't sound like the solution. </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Was the solution for me and about 15 others I know.

I am running 10k German bulbs and mine fire immediately...from day one, that I switched to dedicated circuit.

 

[cgbexec]

FijiKen,

I purchased the PFO ballast and sockets, along with 175watt German 10k bulbs back in March. When I firt plugged them in they burned dull and then went out. I left them on for about an hour without them burning. I let them cool and turned them back on. They came on but didn't burn all that bright. In a few days they began to burn bright. Just my $.02.

Chris

PS. Wished I had gone 400watts