MH Lighting help, please!!!

Seriak · #1 07-09-2004, 02:48 PM

I just purchased a 175 Watt MH bulb and it worked great for about a month. However at the one month point it didn't come on one day. Well I thought it was defective and asked the supplier about it and they said to send it in to them and they will test it and if it was defective they would send me another one. Well that is fine by me. Well the next day the light did come on and it worked for the next few days. However yesterday it didn't come on again. Has anyone experienced this before. It is a 2 MH setup and the other bulb comes on fine everyday and has for the last 2 years.

Chris

Bob I · #2 07-09-2004, 02:59 PM

You have me guessing here, but I would try to tighten the bulb in the socket. I have been told by people who sell MH lighting to screw it in very hard. Secondary current is very low in MH, and it sometimes does not overcome the resistance in the socket very well. Also make sure the contact in the socket is clean. That is about the best i can come up with.

Seriak · #3 07-09-2004, 03:01 PM

I appreciate the quick response Bob. I will try both of those when I get home tonight.

Bob I · #4 07-09-2004, 03:32 PM

Just another quick note here. I have an older socket in a pendant that gives problems similar to what you are having. There is visually nothing wrong, but I have had to stop using it due to those problems. So, just to add to your troubles your socket might be suspect. If the bulb that gives problems does not respond to tightening, you might try it in your other socket.

Seriak · #5 07-09-2004, 03:55 PM

Sheesh, now I might have to buy a new socket. Life just gets better and better.

Thanks again Bob!

Scavenger · #6 07-09-2004, 04:18 PM

You don't necessarily have to buy a new socket. I was having trouble getting a bulb to fire, one would go on and the other would have about 6-10 false starts. During the night, I took out the socket and sprayed some contact cleaner into it and scrubbed it out a bit. Works great now. Just remember to unplug it first.

Seriak · #7 07-09-2004, 04:49 PM

Where can I find this contact cleaner?

Scavenger · #8 07-09-2004, 04:55 PM

any electronic part supplier. Radio Shack ect.. About $5 per can.

Aquattro · #9 07-09-2004, 04:57 PM

I had the same trouble once with a 175w bulb. All I needed was a new ballast.

dbdavid · #10 07-09-2004, 05:37 PM

Hi did you try and swap out the two bulbs. This would let you know if it was a bulb issue or a problem with the ballast and socket. Just a thought.

Dave