Light comes on for two minutes then shuts off, bad ballast or capacitor?

[otherwhitemeat]

I am still somewhat new to this hobby I am not sure if I have a bad ballast or capacitor and would like to replace only what's broken. I have a 175 MH light for my veg room, the light comes on for a minute or two, flickers a bit and then shuts off. I checked my wiring diagram a few times.

Is this what a bad capacitor acts like? Or is my ballast bad?

 

[Hydro-Soil]

I am still somewhat new to this hobby I am not sure if I have a bad ballast or capacitor and would like to replace only what's broken. I have a 175 MH light for my veg room, the light comes on for a minute or two, flickers a bit and then shuts off. I checked my wiring diagram a few times.

Is this what a bad capacitor acts like? Or is my ballast bad?

Umm... Most likely it's your bulb.

The capacitor seems to be working fine as the lamp is lighting up. (It's job is done within the first 10 seconds or so.... right?)

The arc heats up and builds pressure inside the lamp until the cracked element leaks, at which point the arc fizzles out.

If you keep it cycling it WILL, eventually, damage your ballast.

Good thing bulbs are cheap

 

[blubullett]

Another vote for bulb.

 

[FreezerBoy]

I can't say which it is but, I can say you should have a backup lamp on hand anyway. If the backup works, the old lamp is done. If the backup doesn't work, then try the cap.

 

[indicrazy]

I would guess it's a worn bulb too.

Whenever my metal halide starts doing that ignite-burnout routine, replacing the bulb solves it.

 

[otherwhitemeat]

THANK YOU everyone for your input. I found a replacement ballast and cap from 100bulbs dotcom for around $40!!! It's on the way for backup, spare parts, etc. I had a turd's luck getting just the cap, the two hyrdo stores in my area were obviously quite happy to bash the brand that I have and offer to sell me something new. ($200 for a 175w ballast...shame on them) From 100buls the cap is around $32, the ballast, bracket, and cap are $39 (duh)

I am going to run out to the hardware store and get me a replacement bulb (or two) for the future.

Good thing this is just for my veg room, at the moment I have a nice little 100W HPS with mogul attached ballast keeping them on 24/0. I bought this backup for just such a situation.


THANKS again everyone for the prompt replies!!!

 

[Hydro-Soil]

I can't say which it is but, I can say you should have a backup lamp on hand anyway. If the backup works, the old lamp is done. If the backup doesn't work, then try the cap.

I second that. I have a REALLY CRAPPY second bulb for my 1K ballast, but it's sufficient to check and make sure a 1K ballast is working correctly.


OWM, I thought the price difference between the capacitor and the full kit ridiculous as well.

 

[TrichyTrichy]

..remote possibility.
Is it stored energy that makes it start but then goes out when the energy is spent?

 

[FreezerBoy]

Recently found a black wad of ... something ... stuck on my lamp at 11pm(just past daybreak in the cab). Turned out my ball cap MELTED onto the lamp (never felt a thing). Pulled the lamp and soaked the mass in Dissolv-It overnight and then, literally, shaved the lamp with an Exacto blade.

Because I had a backup bulb, I only lost 15 minutes of light (waiting for the lamp to cool enough to pull) instead of a full night period.

 

[otherwhitemeat]

Hydro-Soil
blubullett
FreezerBoy (correct, as usual)
indicrazy

You are all correct. I suppose I hadn't even thought the bulb was bad because it would start so bright when it flickered and shut off. After I read the thread again I pulled the bulb and inspected it closely, there was a fine powder collected on the inside of the bulb that couldn't be seen while in the mogul base.

I went to Home Depot and got a 175w bulb for $25 and we're all good. Now what am I going to do with these extra ballasts that I thought were all bad? hmmm

FreezerBoy, that's what you get for tending garden while stoned or asleep. I have burns all over my arms from stonededly touching the lights while doing my wiring. LOL It's like playing operation, don't touch the sides!!!! ZZZZZZZZZZ

 

[Hydro-Soil]

..remote possibility.
Is it stored energy that makes it start but then goes out when the energy is spent?

Interesting thought but in this case the amount of stored power would only make the bulb flicker a bit.