Metal Halide Issues Re-visited

[forman400b]

There were a few threads regarding metal halide lamps burning out quickly, but I have a problem slightly different. I have installed a Stonco 250W low bay fixture, multi volt (used at 120v). After the fixture warms up, about every 5 or 10 minutes the lamp suddenly changes from its original color (white-ish, which is what it is supposed to look like) to an orange-y-reddish color; just for 2 or 3 seconds, and then it returns back to its original color.

All connections are made up proper; the proper type/wattage lamp is used; and the ambient temperature is well within the manufacturers limits. It's Fortunately, I only bought 1 for the client to see; I need about 30 for the job.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

 

[peter d]

It's probably just a bad lamp. I'd swap it out and see what happens.

 

[brandon2177k]

Kinda off subject, but does anybody know if a High Pressure Sodium bulb and Metal Halide Buld are interchangeable with the same the ballast? If so, do the lamp wattages match? Thought somebody told me this once, but never knew if it were true.

 

[mdshunk]

Kinda off subject, but does anybody know if a High Pressure Sodium bulb and Metal Halide Buld are interchangeable with the same the ballast? If so, do the lamp wattages match? Thought somebody told me this once, but never knew if it were true.

I've heard rumors of the sort, but a multi-vapor lamp is a better choice.

 

[480sparky]

Kinda off subject, but does anybody know if a High Pressure Sodium bulb and Metal Halide Buld are interchangeable with the same the ballast? If so, do the lamp wattages match? Thought somebody told me this once, but never knew if it were true.

A 100W HPS bulb operates at 95-135 volts. A 100W MH bulb needs 210-315.

The voltage don't start to overlap until you compare a 600W HPS (200-265) to a 35W MH (205-290).

Edit to add:

 

[Cow]

Kinda off subject, but does anybody know if a High Pressure Sodium bulb and Metal Halide Buld are interchangeable with the same the ballast? If so, do the lamp wattages match? Thought somebody told me this once, but never knew if it were true.

Had a service call once on this very subject. Breaker would trip but when reset would stay on for random intervals(1-10 min) then trip again. Came to find out they had installed the correct wattage MH bulbs in some of their HPS wallpacks. Oddly enough all the bulbs lit, even the MH. Installed HPS bulbs and no more problems.

 

[norcal]

Are you using GE MH lamps? If so try another brand* of lamp, that "burst" seems to be more prevelant in GE lamps, due to too many bum lamps from GE I dont use them whenever possible.....

* A "good" brand such as Phillips, Sylvania, or Venture.

 

[mdshunk]

* A "good" brand such as Phillips, Sylvania, or Venture.

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

.

Not so sure I'd put Venture on that list.

 

[forman400b]

Thanks for the replies. The lamp I am using is a Phillips MH250/U.

I'll try a new lamp.

(How 'bout those Football Giants?!?!)