MH shuts off

[Smite]

Once one of my Radium 400w bulbs heats up it shuts off. It doesn't attempt to fire again. But if I unplug the ballast and plug it back in it will fire again. THen shut off a few minutes later.

I need to replace the bulbs regardless and will be soon. Is this a symptom of a bad bulb? I cleaned the fans to the fixture out really well. I know they shut off when they get too hot, but are supposed to fire back up. Ballast are the Galaxy select a watt. I'm running the 400w Radiums on the 400w setting.

I guess I'll find out once I buy the new bulbs. It just has me wondering if the fans I installed for airflow in the hood are strong enough.

 

[Greaser9999]

Sounds like ur ballast is going out

 

[lowbudget]

sound like a ballast. if the bulb is going out, it will be out.

 

[LAreefguy]

I was just gunna say the ballast is going bad Iv had that happen to me before

 

[Adrock]

Ballast fo sho! good info guys!

 

[Smite]

Baaaahhhhhhmmmmuuuuuurrrrr..

Thanks guys, good too know.

 

[Smite]

Would another Galaxy be the best MH replacement? Or should I go with another brand?
[MENTION=3047]Adrock[/MENTION]

 

[lowbudget]

do you want to go electronic?

 

[Adrock]

Galaxy or coral vue either should be good

 

[xmas_one]

I wouldn't even mess with the 400w. Get yourself M80 ballasts from Hamilton and switch to the 250s.

 

[lowbudget]

I wouldn't even mess with the 400w. Get yourself M80 ballasts from Hamilton and switch to the 250s.

400w colors are crazy when you get everything right.

 

[xmas_one]

400w colors are crazy when you get everything right.

On an m135?

 

[Smite]

Yeah I was thinking electronic.

My tanks 28" deep and the fixture is cut into my hood a good 9" above water level. With most my rock being below the halfway mark I think I'm gonna need to stick with the 400w ers. I'm looking to do mostly sps this time around.

 

[lowbudget]

On an m135?

sure. if you can find some of the old one.

 

[xmas_one]

sure. if you can find some of the old one.

http://hamiltontechnology.com/item/Metal-Halide-400-Watt-Assembled-Pulse-Start-Ballast-1383

 

[Smite]

Hmmmmmmm. Just installed a brand new lumatek, which is what I had in the first place - not a galaxy - and have the exact same result! I have some back up bulbs, I'll give that a go.

I have the system running off a heavy gauge extension cord until I run a dedicated circuit to the garage. I accidently unplugged the extension from the wall, then plugged the whole thing back in with everything on. That's when this problem seemed to start. I tested the system before installing into my hood.

Could this be a bulb issue? when I replaced one of the t5 ballast I didn't see anything inside the fixtures but a bunch of wiring. The bulb is shutting off before it even gets the glass hot, so I don't think its a heat issue, but who knows.
Just to be sure, I'm going to wire it to the ballast I know works. If it still happens I have some back up bulbs I may give a shot.

Don't these bulbs have a internal heat sensor that shuts them off if they get too hot? * I'm thinking that may be faulty

 

[Smite]

Same result different bulb. The ballast isn't warm....

 

[Smite]

****. So I actually hung out to witness the bulb **** off this time. Took about 10 minutes, then EVERYTHING shut off. After a second everything fires back up but the second halide. When I say everything I mean the whole tank. Like a breaker tripped but everything comes back on its own.

 

[silent_circle]

How do you have everything plugged in from tank to wall? How many other devices are plugged into the same circuit? 15 amp circuit?

 

[Smite]

Mag drive 24 - 265 w
Gyre 150 - 50w
Cebu Sun - 1,066w
4 12vdc fans < 1 amp.

Approx 1380w total. I believe that puts me just over 15 amps but I'm not positive. thought the garage was on a 20amp but I'll double check.