MH flickering, any ideas?

danny zubot · #1 12-22-2009, 08:11 PM

My lights have begun to flicker recently and I don't know why. It kind of dims and looks bluer when it does this. It does it quickly like a flicker but has also stayed dim for some time on occasion. It usually does this once the balast has warmed up. I'm running an XM 20K 400 watt SE, on a Galaxy balast. It's also on a digital timer, that I've had for several years. Any thoughts from you lighting guru's out there?

Thanks,

Danny

Delphinus · #2 12-22-2009, 08:15 PM

Is the ballast electronic or or transformer style? How old is the lamp (approx. runtime hours)?

I don't really have any ideas here but figure it couldn't hurt to know those two details (sorry, I'm not familiar with the Galaxy, I assume that is electronic?)

Millepora_Maniac · #3 12-22-2009, 08:29 PM

I would say it's the bulb, but I've seen these ballasts burn out before. I would try changing the bulb first, then I would try changing the ballast. Good Luck!

danny zubot · #4 12-22-2009, 08:30 PM

Ya, forgot to mention that. It is an electronic balast. The bulb has only been up and running for about 6 months at 8-10 hours per day.

Dez · #5 12-22-2009, 08:53 PM

My ice cap did this and then I switched the bulb and did the same thing. I think my ballast was shot. Changed the ballast and it was good to go. Sucks I know.

danny zubot · #6 12-22-2009, 08:56 PM

I'm in the process of testing it with a different bulb. Thats the less expensive route. Hopefully I only need to replace a bulb and not the balast.

danny zubot · #7 12-22-2009, 09:30 PM

If it is the balast after all, does anyone know if they are repairable? I've had the old magnetic ones fixed at the local grow supplies shops, but I'm not sure if they will fix the electronic variety.

Delphinus · #8 12-22-2009, 10:04 PM

Something you'll have to ask the manufacturer. It likely won't be repairable by any local tech. If the circuitry is encased in epoxy (some electronic ballasts are) it won't be serviceable at all.

Millepora_Maniac · #9 12-22-2009, 10:09 PM

You will have a hard time finding anyone to fix the ballast. If you were to open it up and look inside, you will see that everything is coated in a thick layer of black rubberized something-or-other. It's probably more cost effective to buy a new one. Sorry man, wish I had some good news

J+L has a good deal on them usually, Good luck!

Delphinus · #10 12-22-2009, 10:20 PM

That's one thing about the electronic ballasts I don't like. I think only Icecap as far as I know, makes it so that their product is serviceable. Any others with this epoxy coating idea and you're S.O.L. Had it happen to me, spent $250 on a ballast, got 5 minutes of use on it until a short in the reflector wiring caused one of the lamp leads to ground out. Says right on the ballast "DO NOT CONTACT LAMP LEADS TO GROUND". All I could do in the end was throw it out.

I'm still bitter over that one. I steer well away from electronic ballasts, the five cents per month savings you might get on your power bill will have to take a long time to recover the premium you pay for buying electronic in the first place and it will never reach the point where it pays for a lost ballast like that case. At least in your case it is still working .. kind of .. so find another lamp and see if the problem goes away. My money is that it's the lamp and not the ballast in this case.