Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs

CubsFan4Life · 07-20-2008, 07:35 PM

Alright I've got a Hamilton MH fixture with 2x250 watt and 2 110 VHO
I was running XM 250 watt 10k and wanted something more blue. So I decided to switch to somed 14000k and I ended up buying some South Pacific Sunlight 250 watt bulbs. I screwed them in yesterday (not touching the bulbs) and turned them on they looked great and they were on non-stop for 4 hours yesterday and then turned off. This morning the timer kicked on and both bulbs fired right up and burned for about 2 hours then 1 of them just went out you can still see a very tiny amount of light in the "element" inside of the bulb itself and the other is still burning great this was about 3 hours ago I turned them off for 30 min while I did a water change and then turned them back on and still the same thing. I called the store I bought them from (1 1/2 hr drive away) and he said that has never happened to any hes heard of (he was pushing these bulbs hard) and to give it a day and if its still not working come in and he'll replace it for me. So I have seen a little on the web where they will do this during the breakin but is 3 hours to long for this to go on. Please let me know and sorry for the long drawn out thread. This bulbs did look killer while they were burning (1 still does )

vdituri · 07-20-2008, 08:47 PM

How old is the light fixture?
I've read somewhere about some bulbs not working on some systems due to the differences of magnetic starters and electronic starters.
I don't know if that is your situation. Just something more to investigate.

CubsFan4Life · 07-20-2008, 08:53 PM

3 years old and the xm bulb works just fine in that socket. Both bulbs are ran from a hamilton dual ballast and the other is working perfect?

vdituri · 07-20-2008, 09:05 PM

Is there a fan in the hood and is it working?
Just on the surface it sounds like the bulbs are overheating.
If your old bulbs still work you could try them and see.

CubsFan4Life · 07-20-2008, 09:15 PM

both fans are still working, unit is suspended from ceiling 12 inches above open top tank

tigerarmy90 · 07-30-2008, 10:16 AM

sounds like you got a dud, I would just exchange it out. Shouldnt be happening with a new bulb...

Triggerjay · 07-30-2008, 10:44 AM

It could be a ballast incompatibility issue with the new bulbs you purchased. XM bulbs are probe start,.... I am not sure if the south pacific bulbs are probe, or pulse start,... I would look into this to start with.

Jason

Witfull · 07-30-2008, 12:29 PM

switch the bulbs and see if the same bulb kick out.

zeus_roush · 07-30-2008, 12:41 PM

I had a bulb that did that before. When i called aqualight they said the one bulb probably developed a tiny crack not visable, but enough to not let the light work probably. They sent me a new bulb and everything worked fine. Now iam not sure if that would be the same problem with a your lights because mine is de bulb.

CubsFan4Life · 07-30-2008, 10:52 PM

It was a capacitor problem replaced them both and its as good as new. The bulbs look great. (The fixture is a little over a year old not three I don't know how to edit??)

07-20-2008, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
CubsFan4Life Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs Alright I've got a Hamilton MH fixture with 2x250 watt and 2 110 VHO I was running XM 250 watt 10k and wanted something more blue. So I decided to switch to somed 14000k and I ended up buying some South Pacific Sunlight 250 watt bulbs. I screwed them in yesterday (not touching the bulbs) and turned them on they looked great and they were on non-stop for 4 hours yesterday and then turned off. This morning the timer kicked on and both bulbs fired right up and burned for about 2 hours then 1 of them just went out you can still see a very tiny amount of light in the "element" inside of the bulb itself and the other is still burning great this was about 3 hours ago I turned them off for 30 min while I did a water change and then turned them back on and still the same thing. I called the store I bought them from (1 1/2 hr drive away) and he said that has never happened to any hes heard of (he was pushing these bulbs hard) and to give it a day and if its still not working come in and he'll replace it for me. So I have seen a little on the web where they will do this during the breakin but is 3 hours to long for this to go on. Please let me know and sorry for the long drawn out thread. This bulbs did look killer while they were burning (1 still does )

07-20-2008, 08:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,772 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs How old is the light fixture? I've read somewhere about some bulbs not working on some systems due to the differences of magnetic starters and electronic starters. I don't know if that is your situation. Just something more to investigate. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

07-20-2008, 08:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
CubsFan4Life Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs 3 years old and the xm bulb works just fine in that socket. Both bulbs are ran from a hamilton dual ballast and the other is working perfect?

07-20-2008, 09:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,772 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs Is there a fan in the hood and is it working? Just on the surface it sounds like the bulbs are overheating. If your old bulbs still work you could try them and see. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

07-20-2008, 09:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
CubsFan4Life Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs both fans are still working, unit is suspended from ceiling 12 inches above open top tank

07-30-2008, 10:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
tigerarmy90 Limpet Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 133 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs sounds like you got a dud, I would just exchange it out. Shouldnt be happening with a new bulb... __________________ my 90g rimless build http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...6x24x24-4.html

07-30-2008, 10:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
Triggerjay Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 2,067 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs It could be a ballast incompatibility issue with the new bulbs you purchased. XM bulbs are probe start,.... I am not sure if the south pacific bulbs are probe, or pulse start,... I would look into this to start with. Jason __________________ The start of my journey: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...xperience.html My current journey: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ld-thread.html My clownfish breeding log: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ne-fishes.html

07-30-2008, 12:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
zeus_roush Serpent Star Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: pa Posts: 225 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs I had a bulb that did that before. When i called aqualight they said the one bulb probably developed a tiny crack not visable, but enough to not let the light work probably. They sent me a new bulb and everything worked fine. Now iam not sure if that would be the same problem with a your lights because mine is de bulb.

07-30-2008, 10:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
CubsFan4Life Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs It was a capacitor problem replaced them both and its as good as new. The bulbs look great. (The fixture is a little over a year old not three I don't know how to edit??)

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