MH flicker but won't start

[Palmer]

Hi there

I came back from vacation and noticed one of the 250W MH bulbs was not lit. In trying to restart it the bulb would start to light but then fade out. Other bulbs do the same thing. The other side works fine. It's a maristar fixture with galaxy ballasts. Is this typical when a ballast goes downhill? Both the fixture and ballasts are 3 years old.

[Palmer]

I did some troubleshooting and figured out it is the ballast. Never had one go before so I wasn't sure

[kien]

I have the same fixture and ballast and had the exact same thing happen to me a couple of years ago. Ballast was pooched. I discovered that it was overheating which is what sent it to the grave.

[Palmer]

Yeah I am going to replace it with the 125/250 galaxy. I actually like the fixture I guess three years of consistent use isn't too bad although 4 or 5 would have been better.

[chevyjaxon]

Aquamedics reflux cube magnetic start ballasts are really great! check em out, best ive ever seen.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Palmer

Yeah I am going to replace it with the 125/250 galaxy. I actually like the fixture I guess three years of consistent use isn't too bad although 4 or 5 would have been better.

Ya I'm going on 4 years with my fixture and 2 of my 3 ballasts. One of my ballasts did this early on and has been rock solid ever since.