Anyone Have ANY Idea Why My 96 Watt PC's Keep Breaking At th

[MedicineMan1]

I JUST got a new 96 watt actinic PC bulb from Premium Aquatics to replace the 8.8K bulb that split at the end after 6 months. Today, when the lights came on, it didn't come on. I looked and the end had split. This is the 3rd bulb I've had do this.

They are mounted in the reflectors that come with the dual 96 watt PFO kit that I got from PA. Does ANYBODY have any suggestions? (I'm sending an e-mail to Jason to see if he has any thoughts/suggestions!)

 

[danmhippo]

I suppose you assembled the kit yourself. Is the tube clamp in line (straight?), Is the 2 spring clamps and the end socket level? Could there be uneven pressures applied to the tube cause it to break?

 

[JeffH]

Mine did this. The next bulb that I got I made sure the plstic divider in the middle of the bulb was lined up with the center clamp. No more problems like that again.

Hopefully I was knocking on wood.

Jeff

 

[MedicineMan1]

Dan,
All good questions. The tube clamps had the holes pre-drilled in the reflectors so I assumed they'd be straight. By "end socket", are you referring to the end cap, the part that plugs into the bulb? If so, that's unattached and "free floating" so it should line up on its own. Where would the uneven pressures come from? One of the spring clamps being bent?
Thanks for your input!

 

[Styk33]

My post is not a lot of help, but I have never had a problem with my PFO setup. I have used and abused my lights. I have banged them with the glass cup I used to add water to my tank, I hit them with the PH when I switch PHs a few months ago. Heck, I hit one with my arm and it popped out of the clips and landed (6") on the top of my tank and still didn't break.

I have heard of others that have problems break bulbs though. No problems here though. I get my bulbs from Jason at Midland Marine.

 

[MattM]

Make sure that the bulb clips are in the right places. One should be as close as possible to the endcap, and the other should be right over the 'bridge' between the two tubes.

Don't rely on the plastic spacer - they fall out all the time.

 

[MedicineMan1]

I've had an ongoing discussion with Jason at PA on this. He's said that this problem isn't uncommon, especially with the PFO set up. My solution is to go with VHO actinics, instead.

 

[GMH320]

Just broke the same bulb this morning...pissed me off because it's only 3 months old.

 

[SPC]

MedicineMan, FWIW I have read about this same problem on many boards, the conclusion I drew from these discussions was that it is a manufacturing problem. I have always owned VHO so I don't have any personal experience with these bulbs.
Steve

 

[smokin reefer]

I read a lot on this subject, and most say to loosen the clamps on the bulb. I to had this problem with only one of my bulbs, and since replaced it and loosened the clamps. I have had no problem since. Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

What's up with that sig, Smokin? You are a sick, sick man.

 

[bgdiving]

Only had my 96 watt PCs for a couple of months and one day about 2wks ago one of them wouldn't light after working for about 2 months. Noticed it is cracked at the plastic spacer. not aware of anything that would have caused it.

 

[botp2k1]

I heard about this problem when I was looking into some PCs. Seems it does happen to many, not a lot, just enough to aggravate people who have recent "new" lamps that fail. As many suggested, make sure the clips are in line, not too tight, in the right region to hold the bulbs, etc.

I am still looking to add some actinics to my setup but I am leaning towards vho now.

 

[Gatortailale1]

Make sure plastic spacer is in place. A few months ago I was replacing one set of light and I was cleaning up another row (that was to be replaced in 2 months since I alternate timing) and I lost the plastic spacer. I didn't think anything of it at time. But once lamp heated I heard a pop and sure enough the one that I lost spacer on broke. I used caution when I replaced and Been fine since.

 

[NoFear29]

MM,
The reason they are popping is that your clips are to tight. I went through this when I first got my PFO 2X96 watt kit. The clips they send with it are way to tight. I blew out all 4 of my bulbs the first night I had it set up. Man was I pissed.

After talking with Dgosho on this board, he had the same problem. The solution was to spread out the clips as far as possible, to the point that they just barely cradle the bulbs, and then tie some wire around the clips. We both did that and have not had problems since. I spoke to the people at PFO, and told them about the problem. I suggested maybe sending instructions out with the kit, that might help.

Here is the link to the thread that was going on this board at the time. It worked up to a couple of weeks ago, but for some reason it was removed. Give it a try, maybe it will work for you.
http://www.reefs.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=020830

Good Luck

 

[Pirate]

I know that this is not the answer that you want to hear, but as I read your post I was reminded of a similar post I put up a few months back on one of the boards. I had replaced not one but 11 of these bulbs in less that one year. My hood was custom built and the folks that did the hood and lights pulled their hair out with the breakage. All of the above solutions were tried, no deal. Panasonic did replace all bulbs and admitted that this was their problem. I too went through the clamp placement, plastic spacers(which their rep said were in place only for shipping),heat issues, distance from water,ballast,the whole shot. The last bulbs I got have lasted over a month and I'm thrilled. But I will take the easy route and go to VHO's with the next replacement.

 

[MedicineMan1]

Here's an update. I've been in constant contact with Jason at Premium Aquatics. He, too, has contacted PFO. Their take was that the center clamp was not necessary and put pressure on the ends that caused them to break. So, the center clamp comes out, the end clamps get loosened and I'll be a happy camper (hopefully!)

 

[smokin reefer]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tangirl:
<STRONG>What's up with that sig, Smokin? You are a sick, sick man.

</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Tangirl, I will let you know what is up with the sig when you show me your tan.

Ever saw married with childeren?

Just kidding, just a silly saying among friends. But that doesn't mean I don't want to see the tan.