PC Lamps failing- HELP!

[esmithiii]

I have 2x400W MH 6500K iwasakis, and 2x96W PC Actinic in a custom hood. I have replaced one of the 96W bulbs three times now, and I just saw that the second one is dead. All this in 4 months of use! The PCs are actinics. Any ideas why?? This is costing me a fortune!

Ernie

 

[afss]

the only thing i can think of would be a balast that is over or underpowering them. but this is just a semi edjucated guess
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g13 diesel

 

[Carpentersreef]

Ernie,
Any chance you've got cooling fans blowing directly on them? Or could you have a bad ballast or starter? Are the bulbs black near the base, or are the tubes themselves cracked when they fail?

Mitch

 

[31-2c]

Ernie

Have you tried shutting down your lights for about an hour and then turning them back on? If you do that, and the PC light works again, you have too much heat around the bulbs. PC bulbs can and do overheat. When they do, they just shut down. My PC's did this the other day, One of them just quit. I also noticed that the light had gotten much dimmer than they were when they were new (one month ago) It turns out, they were getting so hot, they just shut down. With the Metal Halides, you certainly have more heat around them than I did. (I just have 4 55w pc's)

If this is that case, You need to get some more ventilation.

Just a thought

David