MH issue

[AJ69]

OK,here's my problem: My mh set up is 5 months old is a 2>175 14K(retro) canopy with fan.The issue that i have is that like every 1/2hr the bulbs turn off(themselves) and re start after I would say a minute.First started with one side and now is on both side.I thinking that is the ballast:confused: Any ideas?
Thanks

[Damn Yankee]

Itr sounds like the termo-nuclear fission contacts in the magnetic ballast sensor reacts to the super nova light projected by metal halide gas ,which in turn shuts down allowing for the expansion and cooling in the reactor.:D

[Damn Yankee]

sorry AJ, I could'nt resist

[AJ69]

LOL Come on need help here.It's kind of cool,wife said."Clouds skies"bulbs off, then "clear skies" lights on. I love my wife.....:love2:

[jay24k]

It sounds like your ballasts are getting too hot. When they reach a certain temperature, it will shut off. As it cools, it will refire and the bulb will restart. It might not be that, but it definetly sounds like a bad ballast issue.

Where are they mounted?

[AJ69]

Jason,
It's a retro so they are mounted directly into the canopy(spider reflector) with a fan blowing towards the bulbs.Ballast indeed gets really hot after a while.
Any ideas

[jay24k]

Can you mount them on top? Most ballast will allow a remote location up to a certain feet. I have my 44's under my tank and on my 180 on top of the canopy mounted nicely. After seeing my VHO ballast do that, I mount them away from the heat.

[jay24k]

I didn't read it to well but if it is an all in one retro that came assembled, I'd contact the manufacturer then.

[AJ69]

What I meant with mounted into the canopy was about the bulbs w/ reflector.The ballast is inside the stand,it has like 6 ft of cable from the mogul base to the ballast.

[jay24k]

Well it's hard to say. I'd almost say it is the ballast. I know I read someone on here having the same issue. Try posting in icecap and see if they can help even if it isn't an icecap. They are usually pretty nice.

[AJ69]

I'm thinking more into the heat issue(ballast).What about having a fan close to the ballast?:confused:

[jay24k]

Is the ballast warm to the touch? It should be warm but not really hot.

[AJ69]

It's more than warm,no way you could keep your hand on it for more than a minute.

[MORAY]

Coil and tar ballasts get really hot on a normal basis. Have you tried opening the cover and doors to your cabinet? It is wierd that both are having this problem though. Capacitors can have this kind of problem but again it's strange for both to occur at the same time. I would look for something common to both, as in the power going to them.

By the way, this is bad for your bulbs.

[cschweitzer]

Get Electronic ballast. Solves a lot of the heat issue and will save you money on car insurance...WAIT!!! That's Geico. They will however save you money on your electric bill(second only to the whole car insurance thing). A fan might help, but probiby not enough for the problem to stop. Maybe put the ballasts close to an AC vent, but watch out for moisture. I don't know what else to say. If you know a good electrician, have him open the ballast box and check the wiring.

[AJ69]

I just sent an email to the company from where I purchased it anyway it has a 5yrs warranty(ballast),just waiting a response from them.:rolleye1: