Problems with replacing metal halide bulbs

quil

quil

Member
I have an Oddysea setup with two 250w metal halides and 4 PC actinics. I'm due to change my halides out, so I ordered some new XM bulbs (15k 250W DE...same specs of the Oddysea bulbs that were in there). When I installed them, they wouldn't fire, even after leaving them on for a couple hours. So I sent them back and exchanged them, thinking maybe there was an issue with that particular bulb. I decided to try the Phoenix 14k 250w DEs instead. Just installed them this morning, and I can't get them to fire either. Both the XMs and the Phoenix look identical to the bulbs I'm replacing.
Is this a ballast issue? Do I have to try to find Oddysea replacement bulbs only?
 
quil

quil

Member
Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2947687
Are these the s.crew in type MH bulbs?
No, they are the double-ended kind.
The more research I do, the more it looks like it's a ballast issue. Apparently I'm not the first person who's had issues with the Odyssea ballasts. Sounds like they don't produce enough power to effectively light most lamps. I was hoping I wouldn't have to replace the ballast, but it's starting to look that way.
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Originally Posted by Quil
http:///forum/post/2947705
No, they are the double-ended kind.
The more research I do, the more it looks like it's a ballast issue. Apparently I'm not the first person who's had issues with the Odyssea ballasts. Sounds like they don't produce enough power to effectively light most lamps. I was hoping I wouldn't have to replace the ballast, but it's starting to look that way.
You have to be correct here, has to be the ballast. Not totally sure about the double ended bulbs but I knew if were the s.crew type, there was no posible reason why any other type of bulb would not have worked. The rating on the Odyssea ballasts probalby only produces enought output to fire a minimum selected bulb (ie. their bulb), but still doesn't make sense that it can't fire a bulb of the same specifications. Try calling Odyssea tomorrow.
 
quil

quil

Member
One of the bulbs had fired when I came home tonight, but the other one is still off. Has to be the ballast.
 
quil

quil

Member
Just got the other one to fire. Had to position the bulb just right (And stand on my head, hold my nose just right, etc). Don't know if they'll be ok now or not...
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Originally Posted by Quil
http:///forum/post/2948192
Just got the other one to fire. Had to position the bulb just right (And stand on my head, hold my nose just right, etc). Don't know if they'll be ok now or not...
Hey, as long as they work, and you are sure they won't go off and cause you more headache
 
quil

quil

Member
OK, well I thought I had it sorted out...
One of the halide bulbs works no problem. Every day, comes on with the timer. The other bulb, however, refuses to light with the timer. I have to take the entire lighting system off the tank, and reposition the bulb in the ends to get finally get it to fire. I've tried loosening the screws that hold each end fixture in place, and then repositioning the bulb until it will fire, and then retightening the screws in that position, but nothing is working. Every day I get home, and only one halide is lit. And it's becoming a real pain having to pull the entire light down every day to get the other to come on.
I can't tell if it's a ballast issue, or a end fixture issue. Once the bulb fires, it stays lit and looks great.
Little help here please? Suggestions?
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
Originally Posted by Quil
http:///forum/post/2960208
OK, well I thought I had it sorted out...
One of the halide bulbs works no problem. Every day, comes on with the timer. The other bulb, however, refuses to light with the timer. I have to take the entire lighting system off the tank, and reposition the bulb in the ends to get finally get it to fire. I've tried loosening the screws that hold each end fixture in place, and then repositioning the bulb until it will fire, and then retightening the screws in that position, but nothing is working. Every day I get home, and only one halide is lit. And it's becoming a real pain having to pull the entire light down every day to get the other to come on.
I can't tell if it's a ballast issue, or a end fixture issue. Once the bulb fires, it stays lit and looks great.
Little help here please? Suggestions?
Welp we need to do alittle hunting here. Are both ends of the fixture the same, or did the other light push in the metal connecting end some?, to where its not totally making contact? Second: Does the other light (new one) work in that fixture? Third: Move the ballasts. Do a swap with each other, you want to find out for sure if its the bulb, the ballast or the double ended piece. Swap each piece out with the one that is working until you find the one that won't fire it at all.
 
bmkj02

bmkj02

Member
I have an Oddysea CF setup and a UV light. When I replaced the bulbs on both I had to buy the same brand bulbs. Were the old Oddysea bulbs Oddysea brand. If so you may have to order the same brand. Contact them to confirm. I like my setup but I wish I had more money at the time to order something else. Parts for it are not interchangeable
 
quil

quil

Member
The bulbs that were in it were Odyssea bulbs. I couldn't find them anywhere when I was searching for new ones.
I'll start switching components around to try and narrow it down.
 
dmv

dmv

Member
Wish I would have read this a day ago I just ordered new xm bulb for my oddy fixture a friend of mine has driven other bulbs off of his old oddy fixture and has had no problems I suppose I will cross my fingers and hope for the best.
 
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