Halide ballast diagnostics

autochek · 04-03-2005, 07:59 AM

Got a question regarding ballast problems. I have 3 250w halide bulbs over my 125. the center one is on a seperate ballast and the two on the sides are run by 2 advanced ballasts in one box. The bulb on the right will not fully light. I have tried other known good bulbs but it still is inop.
There is a capacitor on each balllast. Is there a way with a dvom (digital volt ohm meter) to check if the problem is the ballast or the capacitor.
I'm probally gonna get slack for using a cheap ebay setup, but money is tight and I will upgrade to ice caps latter.

Geoff · 04-03-2005, 08:15 AM

dude, i am known for cheap lighting setups.

i would prolly guess that it is the ballast itself and not the cap. the cap is used to fire the bulb. it sounds like the bulb is firing. it is the ballasts job to keep it lit. if it is not lighting enough it sounds like it is bad.

G~

tdwyatt · 04-09-2005, 11:13 AM

Ditto on the ballast issue, the caps are there to start the bulb. Check with Advance or Magnetek for diagnostics, if it is a new ballast, I'd ask the manufacturer to check/replace it for you. Greybar or Grainger should be able to get you some contact info for a local rep in your area.

HTH

gitsumpottery · 04-09-2005, 11:38 AM

Not to contradict the two wise gentlemen before me, but I had the same happen with a 250w magnetic ballast, and the capacitors can go out. check to see if they click or not (mine would continuously click after it stopped working. Mine would light, but not ignite fully. Capacitors are a couple of bucks, just try a local electrical supply house to get a replacement to check it.

If the ballast is fairly new, you can send it back to Advance and they will replace it.

Zac

yardboy · 04-10-2005, 06:18 AM

That's how I scored three 400W ballast. My electrician buddy said it's "almost always" the capacitor that goes out. He was buying the whole set and only replacing the cap. The caps were a little more than a couple of bucks though, more like $20.
Gt them here: Nova Lighting (LL&T) (803) 926-0018. 37 C Trotter Rd. W. Columbia, SC 29169.

autochek · 04-11-2005, 04:44 AM

Thanks for the help everyone. This is a ballast made by advance. I wasn't hearing any noise out of it anymore when they started up. The problem is, I got impatient and ran to lfs in Charlotte NC. (2 hour drive) and bought a PFO. I never thought about warranty at all so I chuncked the old setup. Now i wish I still had it. Anyway, I appreciate all the comments.