Chewelz Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Hey guys, I'm having issues with my MH lighting. I have the dual 400w PFO ballast that I bought from Waves a few years back. Lately I've only been running 1 bulb on it on a timer. This last week I noticed that it wasn't on when I came home. I checked the timer, and plugs etc. everything looked fine. After looking everything over, I figured maybe the bulb burnt out, which sucks because I just bought it about 2 months ago. It's an Aqualine 10k, that I also purchased from Waves. I thought that was pretty crappy, since I've never had a bulb burn out completely, but what can you do? Figured I'd just have to go spend another 90 bucks or whatever. Then, I come home yesterday, and the [language filter] thing is on... OK, great, so the bulb isn't burnt out. Obviously somethings whacky though. Today I come home, the bulb isn't on again. I unplug the ballast and switch sides with the plug thinking maybe the one side I've been using is messed up. Still nothing... I unplug the timer and try just straight juice from the wall. Nothing... I'm frustrated, and plug the timer back in, and the ballast back in, and viola, the thing turns on again. But, for only about 30 seconds, then it shuts down again. For those of you with experience in this, does this sound like the bulb is bad, or the ballast? I thought these ballasts would last longer than 4-5 years?? It better for the 400 something I paid for it! But then again, the bulb is only 2 months old. Do bulb manufactures have warranty's? Any ideas?? Thanks, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaidin Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 check inside the ballast. most MH ballasts have issues with the on/off switches burning out or melting... it might be the wires are loose or the switch is partially melted. Just happened to me about 1 month ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Check switch, if your savvy test it after the switch with a voltmeter and go down the line till you find the current loss. Unlikely to be the bulb but test before your socket to verify power there as well. You'll find the location of the problem easy that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 (welcome) (To) (P) (N) (W) (M) (A) (S) .org I'm with these guys, sounds like a bad connection somewhere. Bust open that ballast box and check the wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidster Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 I have seen this before, and MOST of the time, it's turns out to be not enough juice. Try plugging the ballast into another outlet that is not on the same circut breaker. Sometimes we put more on the circut than they can handle, and most of the time it shows up with MH lighting. Hope this helps a bit. Lise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewelz Posted May 28, 2006 Author Share Posted May 28, 2006 The thing is, this setup has been up and working for over a year now with no changes to what's plugged into the circuit. I have all my fish stuff on 1 circuit, down in the basement so it wouldn't affect anything up in the house. I've gotten other feedback saying maybe the switch is melted... But the switches feel and look fine(I have had to replace 1 side, a few years ago). The bulb gets juice, lights up for about 30 seconds, then flickers out. I live close to the store down here on Sandy Blvd, maybe I can take the bulb in and see if they can fire it up on one of their tanks or something?? If that works, then I know its a problem with my ballast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidster Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 We'd be glad to help out Lise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewelz Posted May 30, 2006 Author Share Posted May 30, 2006 Just a bad bulb I guess... Thanks Lise... I was messing around down in the basement this morning, cleaning my skimmer, etc. and I found my old 20k bulb that I replaced. Plugged it in, fired it up, and it's still burning as of now. I guess this "new" bulb went kapoot on me. So, when payday rolls around, I'll have to go grab a new bulb. I'm thinking one of those 14k's this time around. The 10k was too white, and the 20k is too blue(especially with my actinics). The reason I bought this last bulb, was that it said 13k on the box. But, when I got it home, it says 10k on the actual bulb. Plus it burnt out in 2 months. Just a waste of 80 bucks I guess... Do you guys sell the 14k's Lise? Since you guys are so close... Thanks for your help everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidster Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 If the bulb is bad, it might be covered a warranty. I know there is a warranty on Hamilton, Ishio's and some others. Let me know (PM) which one you have and I will see what I can do for you. Lise Yes, we have 14K's but lets see if we can get it covered via warranty, ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewelz Posted June 4, 2006 Author Share Posted June 4, 2006 I dug out the box... It's an Aqualine 10000, made by AquaMedic. If you can do something, that would be cool... let me know. Thanks, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefin' Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 i would also check to make sure what kind of ballast you have .meaning is it a regular MH,hqi,ps,eye, or MV(mercury vapor).maybe u have the wrong bulb/ballast combo. this could cause early/premature death in a bulb... sometime some ballasts are sold as something else. was it new or used? have you noticed if its cycling off and then on again a few minutes later...another indicator of wrong bulb/ballast match.HTH Reynaldo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewelz Posted June 4, 2006 Author Share Posted June 4, 2006 It's just a regular MH... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefboy Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Have u checked the transformer(starter) sometimes white or silver kinda like a small beer can connected to main guts of the ballast ive had these do this on pfo ballasts and are a cheap fix sounds to me if it has this part thats probly the problem they go out from time to time and with pfo are cheap to replace not sure about yours though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefboy Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 (scratch) gess i missed lol is pfo and the fact it was a bad bulb gess i should read all the posts lolDOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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