| Lighting Archive Search here for lighting information. |
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
02-06-2004, 03:24 PM
|
#1
|
|
Little Fishy
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: gilmer Tx
Posts: 264
|
MH Burn-in
Did you guys notice a considerable difference in your MH bulbs after they burned in ?? I have 2 400 watt sunburst bulbs @ 12K, and they are run on plain old tar ballasts, anyway they were amazingly bright 2 weeks ago when new. now they are much more blue and seem so much dimmer, I thought maby I was just used to them, but the wife agrees, It seems like you could almost look directly at the bulb now without being blinded, and seem approx 20% dimmer. Is this typical? these are my first MH.. I thougt I'd get some feedback before calling anyone and complaining !! I do know that the sunburst dont require pulse start or electronic ballasts..
|
|
|
|
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
|
|
|
|
|
02-06-2004, 03:57 PM
|
#2
|
|
The Mechanic
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 375
|
Idon't have a solution to your problem but I know you should not be able to look directly at the bulb. It should definately hurt your eyes to look at it.
Eric... 
__________________
120 gal sps dominated reef, 40 gal sump, 30 gal fuge,2 Streams on a multicontroller, MRC MR2, 2X250 DE MH, T5 actinics.MRC CR2 calcium reactor.
|
|
|
|
|
02-06-2004, 05:09 PM
|
#3
|
|
Little Fishy
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: gilmer Tx
Posts: 264
|
thought maby Id try and upgrade ballasts, prolly need to anyway. I hope it hasnt hurt the bulb in anyway, if thats the problem..
|
|
|
|
|
02-06-2004, 06:37 PM
|
#4
|
|
The Mechanic
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 375
|
I run my 250's on regular magnetic ballasts and have had no problems with them. I did have a coralvue 10k bulb quit working after less than a month. It is being replaced under waranty.
Eric...
__________________
120 gal sps dominated reef, 40 gal sump, 30 gal fuge,2 Streams on a multicontroller, MRC MR2, 2X250 DE MH, T5 actinics.MRC CR2 calcium reactor.
|
|
|
|
|
02-06-2004, 07:17 PM
|
#5
|
|
Wants a Howitzer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,937
|
i bet its the ballasts.....for some reason......i think i read something about TAR ballasts not being quite so good...old tech and kinda outdated like, but i don't know much more than that *shrug*
__________________
30 gallon (long)
one 7" Toadfish named Todd (Batrachomoeus trispinosus)- Tuxedo urchin eater
Assorted mushrooms, zoanthids, ricordea, leathers, a candy and brains...
|
|
|
|
|
02-06-2004, 07:20 PM
|
#6
|
|
Big Fishy
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Woodstock, GA
Posts: 667
|
I bet it's the bulbs, 12K's are notorious for having problems. But the general rule of thumb is that break in time is going to be 100 hrs.
Doug
|
|
|
|
|
02-07-2004, 11:53 AM
|
#7
|
|
senior member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Walnut Grove, SC, USA
Posts: 13,640
|
Quote:
Originally posted by AquaticCo
I bet it's the bulbs, 12K's are notorious for having problems. But the general rule of thumb is that break in time is going to be 100 hrs.
|
Ditto Doug, and tar ballasts do not run nearly as efficiently as the HQI type electronic ballasts for these bulbs as well.
__________________
Tom <"))))>(
(TDWyatt)
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato
|
|
|
|
