MH Question

[bmkj02]

Here is my setup to give you an idea on what I am doing http://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/337492/new-125g-aga-setup-any-other-advices-will-help
I havent put the MH bulbs in cause I still havent bought them. My question is that I plugged in the MH ballast to make sure there wasnt any shorts or anything

and one of them buzzes really loud and the other one is dead quite. Im not familar with MH so hopefully someone can tell me if its normal and/or if any of them are bad. I know there is no 100% confirmation since I dont have any bulbs but before I go to the store to buy them I want to have an idea. They are Advance 400w ballast M59. Thanks

 

[scsinet]

Differences in construction can make differences in noise levels.
Without lamps in them, you really couldn't tell anyway. If you are sure they are wired correctly, then I'd say you need lamps installed to know.

 

[bmkj02]

Thanks SCSInet, I was hoping you would see this. I guess I will just go out and get the bulbs then

 

[bmkj02]

Bumping this one up again as my bulbs came in yesterday. Fixing to finish the light system hopefully this weekend. SCSInet said there was no real way on checking the ballast with no bulbs but was wondering if I put a meter at the output if it should give me somekind of reading showing me if it is working. Like volts or something? Can I do this with a small meter?

 

[scsinet]

You need to be careful when doing so.
Pulse start halide systems send a high voltage spike of about 4kv to the socket to ignite the lamp. This can damage multimeters that cannot handle that kind of voltage (most can't).
If it's a standard magnetic probe start system, you can test, but again, the presence of voltage does not necessarily mean that things are going to work properly.
Halides are funny that way... the only real way to test a ballasts output is under a "load condition." I.E. lamps installed.
It's incredibly unlikely that the lamps can be damaged by a bad ballast, so you really aren't running any risks by just sticking the lamps in and seeing what happens.

 

[bmkj02]

Like always SCSInet, your wisdom in this hobby is untouchable and an asset here to this message board. Thanks again