M80 Hamilton hqi ballast and radium bulbs

[Masgatigata]

I just rewired my Hamilton m80 hqi ballast onto my fixture. It fires up my phoneix 14k bulbs without a problem but when I try the radium bulbs they don't fire up. Anyone have any idea what I'm doing wrong? They are brand new bulbs and I handled them with care.

 

[edd]

i think its a different ballast to run radiums. mine has a 300w setting for radiums.

 

[Masgatigata]

Hmm. I did some research before purchasing and from what I've read the ballasts should be the right ones. Maybe I made a mistake? Anyone else know?

 

[edd]

i could be wrong, but thats how they [premium aquatics] explained it when i bought them.

 

[Masgatigata]

Ugh. That would make sense then. I'll have to call up the guys I got the ballasts from tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[Geraud]

Hi, M80 (magnetic) should actually work with your Radium. It is with electronic ballasts that you need to make sure you are running in "HQI" mode (which if I understand correctly is just a "boost" compared to the standard power delivered to the bulb)

 

[MIKE NY]

I'm running the same ballast and bulb combo. It's not the ballasts it's the new bulb. I think they changed the contact points. They need some time before the turn on the first time. I tried older bulbs and they fired up right away ... A new bulb needs time to fire also unscrewing and screwing them back a few times helps me.

 

[Masgatigata]

Hamilton got back to me and confirmed I'm using the correct ballasts. Mike, how long did you wait for them to fire the first time? 15min or more? I'm sure now it's a contact issue.

 

[MIKE NY]

It was at least 15-20 min before I tried an old bulb to rule out the ballasts. Then I tried the screwing them in and out to get a better fit and they came on. Once and awhile they still give me trouble.

 

[Masgatigata]

Just in case anyone else runs into a similar problem, a member on another site recommended I shorten the ballast chord. I cut it down to 17", reconnected to the light fixture and the radiums fired. Apparently the bulbs need a lot more firing power and chord length can have an effect.