2 MHs on 1 power strip problem

ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
I keep having a problem , If both MHs are plugged into the same strip...it seems one always shuts down and trys and trys to re-fire only to go out again. I now have 1 MH plugged into the same strip as the VHOs and that seems to work. Does anybody succesfully run 2 or more MHs from one powerstrip. I have the heavy duty powerstrip btw,and I just went out and bought a dual outlet , exterior timer and had the same thing happen. The lights and fixtures are 1-2 months old, 175 watt,mougal.
I have no idea why this is happening.
 
reefer545

reefer545

Member
You need to plug them into two outlets from two breakers. I am not an electrician, but 350 watts on a 220 just wont do it. Try them on their own outlets. Then, use an entirely different outlet for everything else. Sorry if this does not help.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Originally Posted by Katz
I have 3 250mh plus 2 4in fans running on one power strip.
Unbeliveable........ I cant figure it out. There should be no reason for this. I really dont know what the problem is.
 
katz

katz

Member
What type of power strip are you using? I have the big yellow one that comes with a GCF breaker on the plug. I bought it at H. Dep.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Originally Posted by Katz
What type of power strip are you using? I have the big yellow one that comes with a GCF breaker on the plug. I bought it at H. Dep.
I have tried many different types, EVERY one has been Heavy Duty. The latest was not a power strip..but a 20 dollar exterior dual outlet timer....same thing happened. Money is not the problem...if I could find the proper fixture I would buy it. I really dont know the problem. All these are on timers......Are all you people using timers with the lights?????????/ It could be the timer.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Alright, the same thing happened today when the lights came on. The strips are on timers so I thought that might be a problem. All the lights turned on, then the right MH went out after a minute....it re-fired after a minute,stayed lit for 45 seconds and went out again. I unplugged it and re-plugged into the EXACT powerstrip I just unplugged it from...it fired and stayed lit. WTF!!!!!!
Cmon, there must be somebody that has an idea, Im usually pretty good at these this...but I have no clue on this one.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Well obviously I got your PM... and this is the weirdest thing I've ever heard of.
Let me ask a few questions to help start narrowing this down....
First, to clarify...
- You have two halide setups, two complete ballasts, lamps, reflectors, etc. You have two single ballasts, not a "dual" ballast that drives both lamps.
- You also have an actinic fluorescent lamp system.
- The problem occurs when both halides are plugged into one power strip, and that power strip is plugged into a timer.
- Wherever you connect the actinics, whether it is in the same power strip as one, both, or neither halide setup, it has no effect on the halide operation.
Is all of that correct? If not, correct me.
1. Is it always the same halide setup that is restriking, or does it happen at different instances to each one?
2. Does it ever happen to both halides at once?
3. Have you tried using the power strip without the timer, plugged directly into a wall receptacle?
4. Do you have a digital multimeter at your disposal?
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
- You have two halide setups, two complete ballasts, lamps, reflectors, etc. You have two single ballasts, not a "dual" ballast that drives both lamps. Yes that is correct. You also have an actinic fluorescent lamp system. Yes correct. The problem occurs when both halides are plugged into one power strip, and that power strip is plugged into a timer. Well yes and no.. It has happened both wats though,yes powerstrips into a timer. Wherever you connect the actinics, whether it is in the same power strip as one, both, or neither halide setup, it has no effect on the halide operation. YES. Is it always the same halide setup that is restriking, or does it happen at different instances to each one? It was the left...I moved some of the plugs around...Not sure what ones cause Ive tried so many things,but as of NOW it is the right MH only.Does it ever happen to both halides at once? Nope
Have you tried using the power strip without the timer, plugged directly into a wall receptacle? No I havent but I was going to try that tomorrow.
 
trippkid

trippkid

Active Member
what is the brand of your fixture and lights? I've had a similar prob with the Coralife Sun system when they still had it for sale, about 6 or 7yrs ago. That's the reason they stopped selling the units, not very reliable. I run my whole tank on one 20amp circuit, gfic outlet, and 5 regular power stips(1 for pumps, 1 for MH and fans, 1for VHO's and fan,1 for tapping off of, and 2 for powerheads and accessories that are always on, timers,heaters,Sea Swirl,etc.
The problem sounds like it is with the light fixture. If you were trying to pull too much current it should trip powerstrip or at the panel.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Given that it's only happening to one halide, I'd first try swapping the lamps around and see if the problem follows the lamp to the other setup or if it stays where it is.
The problem you are describing points squarely at two different things: The lamp and the ballasts's capacitor (assuming it's a magnetic ballast). WHY the power strip and the way it is connecting is making a difference I do NOT know, but I think lamp swapping is a reasonable first step.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Originally Posted by trippkid
what is the brand of your fixture and lights? I've had a similar prob with the Coralife Sun system when they still had it for sale, about 6 or 7yrs ago. That's the reason they stopped selling the units, not very reliable. I run my whole tank on one 20amp circuit, gfic outlet, and 5 regular power stips(1 for pumps, 1 for MH and fans, 1for VHO's and fan,1 for tapping off of, and 2 for powerheads and accessories that are always on, timers,heaters,Sea Swirl,etc.
The problem sounds like it is with the light fixture. If you were trying to pull too much current it should trip powerstrip or at the panel.
No brand name,This is directly from an electrical supply place. Brand new a month or 2 ago. I am leaning twords a timer problem. I used to have them plugged into the powerstrip and the strip plugged directly into the wall. Then at 3pm I would go over and flip the switch on...Never had a problem. I was going on vacation and wanted to "automate" the lighting and ever since Ive had this problem.
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Originally Posted by SCSInet
Given that it's only happening to one halide, I'd first try swapping the lamps around and see if the problem follows the lamp to the other setup or if it stays where it is.
The problem you are describing points squarely at two different things: The lamp and the ballasts's capacitor (assuming it's a magnetic ballast). WHY the power strip and the way it is connecting is making a difference I do NOT know, but I think lamp swapping is a reasonable first step.
I will try the lamp swap tommorrow,and yes its the M57 ballasts. Thanks for the info.
 
trippkid

trippkid

Active Member
If it all started when adding the timers, that just might be it, I don't really have an answer. I use 15amp,outdoor rated timers and never had a problem. My dual halide setup, 2 cords into 1 power strip, then to timer, which is plugged into another strip that is always on. Did you try putting things back to how you had them? Without the timers I mean.
Matt
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Originally Posted by trippkid
If it all started when adding the timers, that just might be it, I don't really have an answer. I use 15amp,outdoor rated timers and never had a problem. My dual halide setup, 2 cords into 1 power strip, then to timer, which is plugged into another strip that is always on. Did you try putting things back to how you had them? Without the timers I mean.
Matt
I have tried the Heavy Duty 15 amp outdoor rated one and that didnt work either. I might just have to do it without timers. What type of timer are you using. I have the intermatic heavy duty 15 amp,1750 watt,125 vac,60Hz. That should be more that enough.
 
trippkid

trippkid

Active Member
It sounds like it would do the trick, as far as voltage and amps. Intermatic is the name 1250wt/15amp. Take the timer out of the system and see what happens. If everything works, I'd say the timer is at fault for whatever reason, I don't know.
Matt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top