MH lights not firing..

[E.intheC]

Since I'm not even close to being a pro with MH bulbs/ballasts/fixtures, I'm going to post here for some feedback.

Here's my setup: (I bought everything except for the bulbs used): Hamilton 2 x 250 watt SE Metal halide/PC combo fixture. Magnetic (I think.. used, and no labels) ballast and a separate ballast for the PC's. I have the lights running through my Reef Keeper Lite (timer function only right now; on the 4th output). Radium 250 watt 20,000K bulbs.

Over the past few weeks, the MH bulbs have been firing up normally. I changed the PC's bulbs out due to flickering, and both sets flicker. This isn't a big deal b/c I wouldn't have them on when the MH's are, but it's still concerning as they still flicker.

However, this morning I turned on my MH lights, and although I can hear the ballast running, the bulbs aren't firing at all. It's been about 30 mins since I turned them off (via controller) and turned them back on, and still nothing.

After the above, I tried unplugging the MH ballast from my RKL, and plugged it into a standard outlet. It's been about 15-20 mins since that point, and still.. the ballast makes the noise but no lights

 

[dubs]

take the bulb out and put it back in u might have move the bulb when u were changing the pc make sure not to touch the bulbs with ur finger ur hand have grease on them that will blow the bulb if that dont work u might need new need new mh bulbs i had similar issue with my fixture and i romove and put my bulbs back in and that work for me

 

[E.intheC]

I think I'll have to give that a try, although I don't have a lot of faith that that will work.. I haven't touched or moved the MH bulbs at all (since installed), and the MH's are SE's so they're not as vulnerable to touching as the DE bulbs.. They fired up last night just fine, and today nothing.

The bulbs are only a few weeks old.
Thanks for the help though Dubs.. I appreciate it. Let's hope it works.

 

[dubs]

ne time.... i didnt know u had the se i thought de like my 250 good luck tho hope they fire up ...if not def check on it u dont want to be out and they dont function fire hazard u know

 

[bruma bull]

mh

make sure the bulb is in right also look in the socket to see if theres rust in side, i had the same issues with the se socket and bulb somtime you gotta twist the bulb in tighter. ps make sure you unplug the fixture and wait a little as the ballast might still hold a charge

 

[nanoreefer22]

Unplug the ballasts and then check for any loose wires. You may have been fixing something around/in the tank last night after the lights went out and a wire may have come loose without know.

 

[E.intheC]

I was really guessing it was either a bad connection or a ballast issue (and hoping it was the first)

well..

I actually tried unscrewing the bulbs and putting them back in.. viola.. it worked I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again in the future.


Thanks for the input everyone. Sometimes the simple solution is the best one

 

[nanoreefer22]

Great to hear its working!