mh lighting problem

[robzilla]

i'm having a problem with my mh unit. the unit fires ups and after a while, the units shuts down. then about 30-40 seconds later, i hear a clicking sound coming from the ballast. nothing. 30-40 seconds later again. usually does this a few times then fires back up.
not too sure how many times it does this during the day.....
i'm running an electronic ballast and 250w de bulb.
any ideas as to what is faulty??

 

[big t]

Well make sure that all you connections are clean and tight fitting, i.e. no corrosion. If that is all good try a different bulb. If those items are not a problem then you probably have a bad ballast, but it sounds like a connection issue.

 

[Elmo18]

Is this an XM DE bulb by any chance?

- Elmo

 

[robzilla]

no, it's a coralvue bulb

 

[Oscapus]

I had problems with my electronic 400w MH until I noticed the spring pushing out the center connector in the mogul socket was sideways, so the very tip of the bulb was not connecting very well. They are in there loose so check it to make sure it is pushing out the metal strip well.

 

[Maxx]

What ballast are you running this on? I've heard CoralVue bulbs can be kinda picky sometimes.

Nick

 

[robzilla]

i'm running a coralvue electronic ballast

 

[Maxx]

okay, thats really weird. I would call coralvue and see what they have to say after following Big T's suggestions and eliminating they easy solutions.

Nick

 

[Scooterman]

It could be the thermal overload protection switch going off when the ballast heats up but the clicking sounds like the ballast is trying to fire up again and the lamp is overloaded (too hot), usually they either fire up or nothing but I've heard of stranger things, try another lamp, then if no, send the ballast back for repair or replacement.

 

[robzilla]

well i've tried a new ballast but no luck. awaiting a new bulb. this should solve the problem