OK, so I received my 400 watt custom sealife pendent light today. I plug it in, it stays on for 30 seconds and then off it goes. So I leave it plugged in because I heard you have to break these things in. So the ballast is running find but the light is still off. Once in awhile I will touch the bulb with a cloth and the light will come back on. It will glow for a few seconds and then make this humming-tapping noise, flicker and then shut off again. My question is how am I supposed to know if this is just the breaking in process or if I have a bad light? Any help would be great.
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Breaking in Metal Halides
- Thread starter Roach
- Start date
THATS NOT RIGHT.1>UNPLUG 2>MAKE SURE TO UNPLUG 3>ELECTOCUTION IS NO FUN 4> CHECK ALL CONNECTIONS TO SEE IF IN ORDER(LOOSE, NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY, FRAYED WIRING) 5>MAKE SURE THE CONNECTOR TAB (INSIDE THE SOCKET) IS NOT SQUASHED DOWN. SOMETIMES THE BULB/MOGUL BASE AREN'T QUIT TAILORED SO YOU HAVE TO PULL IT OUT JUST A SMIDGE. 6> MAKE SURE ALL CONNECTORS ARE CLEAN, A LITTLE FINE SANDPAPER OR PENCIL ERASER WILL WORK.
IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM THE POPPING NOISE THAT IT IS TRYING TO START AND RESTART. IF NON OF THIS WORKS , IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM AND SEND IT BACK.IMHO.
IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM THE POPPING NOISE THAT IT IS TRYING TO START AND RESTART. IF NON OF THIS WORKS , IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM AND SEND IT BACK.IMHO.
Have you tried swapping the leads to the socket? I've tried that when I've had a new finicky bulb and it seemed to work.
Also ... I've heard that the nipple on the arc tube should be facing up. If yours isn't try adjusting the socket so that when the bulb is tight in the socket that nipple is facing up. Or if it is already, try adjusting it so that it DOESN'T face up (it seems to me it'd be worth a try, since the light isn't firing, you're not risking losing any function).
Failing all that ... I agree, maybe you have a bum bulb. Odd.
Also ... I've heard that the nipple on the arc tube should be facing up. If yours isn't try adjusting the socket so that when the bulb is tight in the socket that nipple is facing up. Or if it is already, try adjusting it so that it DOESN'T face up (it seems to me it'd be worth a try, since the light isn't firing, you're not risking losing any function).
Failing all that ... I agree, maybe you have a bum bulb. Odd.
Roach,just take a breath,here's what happened to me.I got a new 175watt bulb.It would flicker like yours is doing.Turn the ballast off and wait for about 20 min so the bulb will cool off.Then try again.If it flickers again,turn it back off,and let the bulb cool off again.I did this about 4 or 5 times one day.Finally it came on and stayed on.I left it on for at least 1 hour to burn it in.The next time I tried it,it still flickered once.After cooling,it came on,and stayed on.I ran it for three hours before shutting down.Now it comes on and stays on.Give it some break in time.
Well I was really messing with the socket late last night and finally noticed a wire way back in the housing had been seperated and frayed. I called Custom Sealife back this morning and they are sending me out a new hood. Hopefully it will be here before the weekend. I ordered this light 2 weeks ago through Reef Geek and now it looks like it will be another week. Oh well I guess I have nothing but time. I have re-scaped my tanks like 10 times while waiting for this light.
By the way if you ever go through Custom Sealife make sure you ask for Lisa. She has been outstanding and I would recommend Custoam Sealife just because of her attitude.
By the way if you ever go through Custom Sealife make sure you ask for Lisa. She has been outstanding and I would recommend Custoam Sealife just because of her attitude.
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