MH ballast question

[dragoneggs]

How do you know when your MH ballast needs to be replaced due to it being old or defective or... ?

I have two Ice Cap 250W MH ballasts and one lights the bulb immediately and the other takes about a minute. The bulbs are identical and new.

 

[Krish]

Not sure, but have you tried swapping the bulbs to opposing sides to see if the same problem occurs? I know you said they were new bulbs, but worth a try to be sure...I know with my PFO MH setup I had, the 12K Reeflux bulb lit up right away, but when I popped in the 10K XM, it took atleast 5-10 seconds everytime to light up for some reason, but then I go back to the other bulb and no problem...

 

[coil1002]

My ballast will do that sometimes too I have had to wait up to two minutes before but it always lights and is fairly new. I am sure others will chime in but I think it is fine

 

[dragoneggs]

The spec I found on the IceCap website says <3min starting time so it is in spec.

Krish,

I knew I could count on you for chiming in. I will try switching the bulbs... good idea.

 

[Krish]

Krish,

I knew I could count on you for chiming in. I will try switching the bulbs... good idea.

LOL! Thanks!

 

[Scooterman]

I wouldn't change them until either they don't light, leak tar (if a tar ballast) or hum really loud .

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay the Krish experiment yeilded some info. After swapping the bulbs both came on almost immediately. The slow bulb was only a half second behind.

My conclusion... huh? Apparently the slow bulb likes the other ballast and the fast bulb doesn't care.

 

[dragoneggs]

Oh yeah, Krish... I remember when you hit 10,000. I was going to brag about hitting a 100 posts but wrapped up in discussion and missed my own milestone... :lol:

 

[Krish]

ROFL!! I remember my first 100! Now I do that a week:lol:

 

[Meche]

Oh yeah, Krish... I remember when you hit 10,000.

That was like last week. 12K is just around the corner :eeK: