MH not firing all the way need help

[fishfreak1242]

So a few days ago I decided to build a new canopy with a different design for my 75 gal tank and yesterday I did all of the wiring and put it on my tank, and today I noticed that one of my MH bulbs isn't firing all of the way. It was working perfectly fine yesterday before I switched the setup over and now there is a little bit of light but not nearly as much as the other light. There are 2x175w retrofits. Heres some pics
Both Lamps

FTS (kinda hard to tell but left side is darker than right

Can someone tell me whats up with it?

 

[Social D]

Have you tried switching the bulbs over?

 

[fishfreak1242]

Have you tried switching the bulbs over?

I am about to do that, just waiting for the bulbs to cool down.

 

[fishfreak1242]

so i tried switching the bulbs and the left one still isn't firing all of the way.

 

[Social D]

I had the same problem, I Dont know what is wrong with yours but it sounds like a faulty ballast, Check the warranty and see if you can get a new one replaced.

How long have you left it on, Sometimes mine take 10 minutes to fully fire up on one side

 

[Aquatic Life Direct]

Check the metal connection inside the socket. There is a small pin that when the bulb screws in it touches, pull that pin out slightly but carefully.

 

[fishfreak1242]

I had the same problem, I Dont know what is wrong with yours but it sounds like a faulty ballast, Check the warranty and see if you can get a new one replaced.

How long have you left it on, Sometimes mine take 10 minutes to fully fire up on one side

I have left it on all day and it is still not firing all the way. I will check the wiring and if that doesn't work then I will check the warranty.

 

[fishfreak1242]

Check the metal connection inside the socket. There is a small pin that when the bulb screws in it touches, pull that pin out slightly but carefully.

I'll try that.

 

[fishfreak1242]

I tried re-wiring and pulling that little thingy out more and it still doesn't work so I checked the warranty and I think it is still under it so I emailed the place I got it from.

 

[regal]

I bet you it is the capacitor. They have limited live span and need to be replaced every so often. Which ballast do you have? You can try taking your 2 ballasts apart and swap the capacitor and see if it makes any difference.

 

[fishfreak1242]

I bet you it is the capacitor. They have limited live span and need to be replaced every so often. Which ballast do you have? You can try taking your 2 ballasts apart and swap the capacitor and see if it makes any difference.

Its actually just one dual ballast that runs both lamps. Here is where I got it from: http://www.aquacave.com/aquamedic-d...-retro-kit-withbrelectronic-ballast-1196.html
Im not really too sure about taking it apart. I'll see what the people at aquacave say before I do anything and possibly void the warranty.

 

[fishfreak1242]

How would one go about taking apart a ballast and what does the capacitor look like? Where can I buy a new one?