Halide issue

[enderg60]

So one of my halide ballasts is acting weird.

When the halides come on, one of them will start to come on but wont reach full brightness then it will go out after a few minutes.

I have swapped the ballasts around and its definitely the ballast but beyond that I have no idea.

Anyone seen this before?

 

[rdnelson]

It is the capacitor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[curtismaximus]

rdnelson99;884762 wrote: It is the capacitor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Flux Capacitor?

 

[rdnelson]

Yup. LOL

Seriously, if it has an external capacitor you can change it and it should be fine. If not, you need a new ballast.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Rich is correct, it's not getting the starting "kick" voltage. Be careful messing with capacitors...if you cross both leads, you could get the shock of your life.

 

[rdnelson]

Unplug the ballast then use a screw driver to short out the terminals on the capacitor. This will drain any residual charge in the capacitor. Make sure you put the wires back on the correct terminals on the new one. Draw a diagram of the old one before you disconnect it so you know how to hook up the new one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[acroholic]

The capacitor doesn't apply if your ballast is electronic, I think, and Rich can correct me if I am wrong. But it sounds like you have a magnetic ballast, and I had the same issue many years ago and replaced the capacitor like Rich was saying.

 

[rdnelson]

That is correct Dave. No capacitor in the electronic ones.

On a side note, I could point to about 10 street light in my good that are cycling the same way right now. LOL. Looks like GA Power needs to get busy with street light maintenance. LOL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[enderg60]

Oh good an easy fix. Its a PFO HQI ballast.

Anyone know where to get a replacement cap for it?

 

[enderg60]

still cant find what cap I need.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

EnderG60;885178 wrote: still cant find what cap I need.

Are there any numbers at all on the existing one?

 

[rdnelson]

Pull it out (after making a drawing) and take it with you. Grainger (not open on Saturdays) or Johnstone Supply should have one. Couple other places would be MSC Direct or McMaster Carr.

Replaced the one on my AC last week. Cost $9.84 after tax.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[grouper therapy]

Danny if it is the pfo hgi ballast it could very well be the starter The PFO HQI is actually a 430 watt high pressure sodium ballast which has a starter to fire them.

Edit: I may have one. I will be back in town this week sometime.

 

[acroholic]

grouper therapy;885216 wrote: Danny if it is the pfo hgi ballast it could very well be the starter The PFO HQI is actually a 430 watt high pressure sodium ballast which has a starter to fire them.

Edit: I may have one. I will be back in town this week sometime.

I could be wrong here, but I don't think the issue is starting the lamps. It is keeping them lit, which would probably point to the capacitor.

 

[grouper therapy]

Acroholic;885225 wrote: I could be wrong here, but I don't think the issue is starting the lamps. It is keeping them lit, which would probably point to the capacitor.

Not sure either Dave but he said it never reached full brightness so I would say starting was an issue as well. What he explained in his post was the same symptoms I experienced with those ballast maybe even the same ballast that said it was the starter the majority of the time and occasionally the capacitor. Those are not typically run capacitors but are to assist the starter in this type of ballast.

 

[rdnelson]

Wish I could give a better answer (I deal in new construction and not service so I have never taken the time to really learn the inner workings of ballasted fixtures).

Either way, should bee a relatively cheap fix. A starter may be harder to find but shouldn't be a ton of cash.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[grouper therapy]

 

[enderg60]

Yup its the same as the HPS ballasts.

My ballasts are in an odd location that is very hard to get to right now so Id really like to have the parts ready to go before I do, but I cant figure out where to get them.

If need be Ill order a cap and a starter, Just need to know what to get.

 

[grouper therapy]

The link above and click on contact us?

 

[enderg60]

Emailed them but still no response.