VHO bulb break-in?

Travis · 12-29-2004, 08:09 PM

I just replaced my 2 VHO bulbs. The new ones didn't come on, after waiting about a minute I unplugged the icecap and re-checked the connections, everything seems OK.

Do new VHO bulbs take a few minutes to turn on? How long should I leave them before I worry about frying my icecap?

Thanks

T

mps9506 · 12-29-2004, 08:24 PM

Are you using the standard 3 peice waterproof endcaps?
Make sure you have the bulbs set in place correctly and the "waterproof" screw in part screwed on correctly.
That's where I see most problems occur. they shouldn't need any break in time.

Usually what I do is put them in place and twist them, but not screw down the caps. Then test em just to make sure everything is working. Then I screw the waterproof caps on. I ALWAYS have a hard time getting them screwed on correctly. It's like they don't like to align coreectly or something. If they are screwed down tight and snug and striaght it will cause the pins on the bulnb not to set on the connection in the cap. Which will result in no fire, or arcing and possible real fire.

jimeluiz · 12-29-2004, 08:53 PM

Yeah - what Mike said ;-)

The light should come on instantly when the connection is correct.

Be careful and good luck.

mkpaulson · 12-29-2004, 08:59 PM

Travis your bulbs should fire up right away, if they come on for a split second then go off it's probably a connection problem.

SaltwaterTeen · 12-29-2004, 10:15 PM

I have no troubles with my VHO

Witfull · 12-29-2004, 10:33 PM

ive heard of VHO/Flour bulbs flickering for the first hour,,but not total failure to light.

DaveK · 12-29-2004, 10:48 PM

I would put the old bulbs back in, and see if you still have a problem. If the old bulbs work, there is a problem with one or both the new bulbs. In that case, try replaceing one bulb at a time, and you shuld be able to determine which is the bad bulb.

If the old bulbs don't work, most likely you didn't make a good connection between the bulb and one or more endcaps, or you broke one or more connections while replaceing the bulbs.

Also, some ballasts have a reset switch on them. It may have tripped. Check for that.

Travis · 12-30-2004, 05:05 PM

D'OH!

The new bulbs are just a tad shorter than my URI's I used when I set the system up. I'd say maybe 1/4-1/8". Looks like it's time to get out the drill...

Travis · 12-30-2004, 05:11 PM

And even more bad news... it would appear that my icecap 660 is now shot. Won't fire the URI bulbs either.

Woodstock · 12-30-2004, 06:35 PM

Bummer Travis!!

reefrunner · 12-30-2004, 08:13 PM

Ice caps have a fuse, check it, it might be simple to fix, if it's not, Ice Cap will more than likely rebuild it for free, they stand behind their products

12-29-2004, 08:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,890 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	VHO bulb break-in? I just replaced my 2 VHO bulbs. The new ones didn't come on, after waiting about a minute I unplugged the icecap and re-checked the connections, everything seems OK. Do new VHO bulbs take a few minutes to turn on? How long should I leave them before I worry about frying my icecap? Thanks T

12-29-2004, 08:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Are you using the standard 3 peice waterproof endcaps? Make sure you have the bulbs set in place correctly and the "waterproof" screw in part screwed on correctly. That's where I see most problems occur. they shouldn't need any break in time. Usually what I do is put them in place and twist them, but not screw down the caps. Then test em just to make sure everything is working. Then I screw the waterproof caps on. I ALWAYS have a hard time getting them screwed on correctly. It's like they don't like to align coreectly or something. If they are screwed down tight and snug and striaght it will cause the pins on the bulnb not to set on the connection in the cap. Which will result in no fire, or arcing and possible real fire. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-29-2004, 08:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yeah - what Mike said ;-) The light should come on instantly when the connection is correct. Be careful and good luck. __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

12-29-2004, 10:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
SaltwaterTeen Bryozoan Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 51 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have no troubles with my VHO __________________ Thanks, JJ COOKING A TURKEY Go buy turkey Take a drink of whiskey Put turkey in oven Take 2 drinks of whiskey Set degree at 375 ovens Take 3 more whiskeys of drink Turk the bastey Whiskey another bottle of get Ponder meat thermometer Glass yourself a pour of whiskey Bake whiskey for 4 hours Take oven out of the turkey Floor the turkey up off the pick Turk the carvey Get yourself another scottle of botch Tet sable & pour yourself a glass of turkey Bless the dinner & pass out

12-30-2004, 06:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,501 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Bummer Travis!! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

12-29-2004, 10:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
DaveK Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 1,356 View Gallery Karma Komment	I would put the old bulbs back in, and see if you still have a problem. If the old bulbs work, there is a problem with one or both the new bulbs. In that case, try replaceing one bulb at a time, and you shuld be able to determine which is the bad bulb. If the old bulbs don't work, most likely you didn't make a good connection between the bulb and one or more endcaps, or you broke one or more connections while replaceing the bulbs. Also, some ballasts have a reset switch on them. It may have tripped. Check for that.

12-30-2004, 05:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,890 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	D'OH! The new bulbs are just a tad shorter than my URI's I used when I set the system up. I'd say maybe 1/4-1/8". Looks like it's time to get out the drill...

12-30-2004, 05:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,890 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	And even more bad news... it would appear that my icecap 660 is now shot. Won't fire the URI bulbs either.

12-30-2004, 08:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
reefrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 1,069 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ice caps have a fuse, check it, it might be simple to fix, if it's not, Ice Cap will more than likely rebuild it for free, they stand behind their products __________________ Kevin Check out my gallery!

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