MH Bulbs - Pulsing?

[Deviant420]

I'll make it quick. Got my new switchable 400w running with the MH bulb in it. After warming up for a minute, it will give off optimal light for a few seconds and then dim down about 15%-25% for about 20 seconds, peak for 3-4 seconds, dim, peak, etc.

I'm fairly certain this is a problem with the wiring in the house being exceptionally shitty, but thought it may also be the bulb, the ballast, or normal.

 

[Hazeseeker]

Does it do this for the whole amount of time the light is turned on or just for the 1st 5 min or so?

 

[Deviant420]

I let it run for about 10 minutes while I had a smoke to see if it was just "warm-up" mode. But it was still doing it when I came back into the room.

 

[Hazeseeker]

Yeah it definately sounds like something is wrong,
i'd do a couple of quick checks like taking the bulb out and giving the threads on the bulb a wipe/clean,
wipe the inside of the lamp holder where you screw the bulb in,
make sure the bulb is screwed in correctly,
check the fuse in the ballast to see if it's needing replaced (some ballast have a screw in fuse on the side for easy access),
have a look at the wires that are attatched to the lamp holder to see if everythings ok there as well

peace

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Have you electrically mapped your house?

Have you electrically mapped your house?

What's all on that same circuit?


Even if it turns out to be equipment issues it's ALWAYS a 'Good Thing(tm)' to electrically map your place.

Turn your breakers off, one at a time, and see what's running on each one. (Keep a paper map of it for reference, makes things easier)


Good luck!

 

[cocktail frank]

bulb is shot.
when a bulb cycles like that, its shot.

 

[Pittsburgh Kush]

I think it's the bulb, put the hps bulb in try it out. Try the mh on a different circut, or at a friends house, without the reflector. Hope this helped.

 

[Deviant420]

What's all on that same circuit?


Even if it turns out to be equipment issues it's ALWAYS a 'Good Thing(tm)' to electrically map your place.

Turn your breakers off, one at a time, and see what's running on each one. (Keep a paper map of it for reference, makes things easier)


Good luck!

The downstairs is all on the same circuit from what I've gathered from the main breaker. I'm in the process of taking a close peak at the electrical layout down there as I write this. Trying to prepare for a sub panel install.

I will clean the recommended parts. If that doesn't work, I will try to sort out a replacement MH bulb from my supplier since this is BRAND new.

 

[KAMy]

my cool tube does this all the time i was thinking its vibration because i dont use a carbon(lots of air) its an mh , for some reason it buzzes while it flickers but i can barely see it flickerying some times and sometimes its perfect ive heard about wires being hooked up on the socket correctly but for me this is all the time great thread

 

[Hazeseeker]

Hi Deviant,
i forgot to ask what type/brand of ballast/light system do you use?

 

[Deviant420]

400w switchable Valuline. I will be calling on Monday for a replacement. I ran it with the HPS.... its seems a little dim to me. Maybe that just cause I'm used to a 1000w-er. I just really really hope its not the ballast!

When the bulb is cycling like that, the humm from the ballast will cycle too. I.E. strong buzz with strong light, weaker buzz with weaker light.

 

[cdd]

hm maybe you have to much wire distance from your ballast to your MH bulb... i know it says on my GIB ballast (non digital) that longest wire u can have from ballast to HPS lamp is 20m, and only 2m with MH...

 

[KAMy]

yea ive got a problem with my cooletube by hydrofarm it buzzes alot but sometimes it just needs a little weigthon it like my hand
im really SCARED TO SWITCH WIRES ON IT
CANT IT EXPLODE! then id b out of bulbs