MH problem.......

[jstraka1]

My metal halide set-up decided to give me some trouble. I have a 175 watt advance m-57 magnetic f-can style ballast, and some cheapo chinese bulbs. I ran a 10000k bulb for 3-4 months, then decided to go with a bluer bulb, so I got a 14000k bulb off the big auction site. It worked great for about 2 months and then it started firing and going out. I would have to actually shake the bulb to get it to fire, and then it would stay on, but this sucked because I had to basically manually turn it on by shaking it. Sooooo i put the 10000k bulb back in and it worked for the first day and then it started the on/off routine also. Now the 14000k is dead (I think) cause it wont fire at all, and the 10000k wants to start but shuts off after about 15 seconds every time it trys to fire.

1) Could this be the cheap bulbs or is the ballast going?

2) Is there any way to tell other than buying a new bulb or some expensive testing equipment?

[RichConley]

sounds like either

1) its overheating
2) your ballast is on its way out

[jstraka1]

Richconley,
What is overheating the ballast or bulb? I assume you mean the ballast, right?

Thanks,

[smcdonn]

I run those cheapo bulbs from hong kong and had one do that. It was a 250watt 14K. I got ahold of the guy and he sent me a new one. I run mine on electronic ballasts that are almost brand new so I knew it wasn't my ballast. Hope this helps a bit

[jstraka1]

Thanks I'll try that!!!