HQI ballasts?

[ThePuz1]

I posted this question with another topic, but it didnt get a reply, so I'll give it another try. I just purchased two 250 watt Radium 20k Bulbs. I am upgrading from 175s. The seller said that I should use HQI ballasts only. To save some money, I didnt listen, and bought regular 250 MH ballasts.When I connected the system, the bulbs fired for about 2 minutes and then went off. I hope I didnt damage the bulbs. If I do need these HQI ballasts, why. Thanks for any reply, TOM

 

[golfish]

The 20K bulb you have should fire on a standard ballast. They will work better on an HQI ballast. What kind of ballast do you have?

 

[ThePuz1]

I think It is a VHO ballast. It has a transformer and a white cylinder that looks like a capacitor.

 

[golfish]

Well, a VHO ballast isn't going to drive a MH bulb. I would look at a dual PFO HQI ballast.

 

[bowfront]

Send them back if you are not happy. Most sellers will take them back in trade for what you want as long as not much time has elapsed since the sale. If you want 250w 20K radiums do youself a favor and bite the bullet = go with an HQI magnetic or an e ballast.

 

[reefmut]

well i agree ythat avho ballast wont drive mh bulbs but from what you described as a transforer and a capacitor that could be a mh ballast... I just bought 2 250w mh ballasts from an electrical supply store and only paid 48 bucks each and what they look like is a tranformer or coil and the capacitor...

 

[ThePuz1]

reefmut, Thats exactly what I purchased. But for some reason, they don't work with these bulbs.I think I'll bit the bullet and upgrade to the HQI's