Few Questions about problems w/New bulbs

[CubsFan]

Alright I've got a Hamilton MH fixture with 2x250 watt and 2 110 VHO
I was running XM 250 watt 10k and wanted something more blue. So I decided to switch to somed 14000k and I ended up buying some South Pacific Sunlight 250 watt bulbs. I screwed them in yesterday (not touching the bulbs) and turned them on they looked great and they were on non-stop for 4 hours yesterday and then turned off. This morning the timer kicked on and both bulbs fired right up and burned for about 2 hours then 1 of them just went out you can still see a very tiny amount of light in the "element" inside of the bulb itself and the other is still burning great this was about 3 hours ago I turned them off for 30 min while I did a water change and then turned them back on and still the same thing. I called the store I bought them from (1 1/2 hr drive away) and he said that has never happened to any hes heard of (he was pushing these bulbs hard) and to give it a day and if its still not working come in and he'll replace it for me. So I have seen a little on the web where they will do this during the breakin but is 3 hours to long for this to go on. Please let me know and sorry for the long drawn out thread. These bulbs did look killer while they were burning (1 still does )

[charlie]

If it was me, I would take the bad one back, I don't think this is normal at all. Ask your owner if he has sold many of these bulbs!!!!! JMHO

[CubsFan]

Day 2 and the bulb didn't fire up again. Gonna have to return the bulb. The only thing that sucks is the 1 1/2 drive back, and the guy is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

[CubsFan]

I shoulda of just bought the XM's like I was gonna live and learn I guess.

[CubsFan]

Alright so this morning still no luck so I decided to try a few things out. I took my "bad bulb" out of the left side and I put it into the right side and it instantly fired right up then I took my "good bulb" and placed it into the left and same thing as with the other bulb the element would light up and nothing else. I am guessing that I need to get a new ballast for it correct???? I have the Hamilton lights and both bulbs run off the same ballast (and this light system is maybe a little over a year old) so do I have to get a hamilton ballast again or are their other types I could get that fixture would plug into. I didn't know if an IceCap Ballast and a Hamilton fixture would be compatible? Or if I would be better off getting a whole new light system either a Aquamedic metal halide system or a Tek t5 8x54watt system?????? If I can just replace the ballast for a resonable amount I'll go that route. Help me please I'll appreciate it

[charlie]

Hamilton should replace that ballast for you. Have you tried to get in touch with their tech people?

[CubsFan]

Called with no answer

[charlie]

Oh great!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it an external ballast?

[CubsFan]

yes external

[charlie]

I would venture to say that an ice cap ballast would work just fine, but I would try to get Hamilton to help first. If they don't answer, then it is ice cap time. What do you think?

[CubsFan]

Is Icecap a plug and play ballast?

[charlie]

The ones that I have do require some wiring. That is one reason I would try to make every effort to make Hamilton do their job. When did you try to contact them?

[CubsFan]

Today about 4 different times. It says if you an existing customer hit 2 and then if you have a question hit another button then it hangs up on you I was going nuts
I thought these lights only had a one year warranty on them?

[charlie]

They might have an e-mail contact????? That isn't a real good way of handling a business if you ask me.

[CubsFan]

Just looked it up 1 yr warranty. I saw Icecap has a 3 yr warranty.

[charlie]

Do you still have the old bulbs?

[CubsFan]

Yes I tried them and they do the exact same thing on that side I've tried 4 bulbs in the socket and all the same

[Reefland]

Hi CubsFan,

Sent you a PM with a contact for Hamilton.
Posted via Mobile Device

[charlie]

Thank you very much Scott, I hope he sees this!!!!

Good luck man.


GO CUBBIES!!!!!!

[CubsFan]

Yes thanks I'll be emailing him shortly.