[jmuscat2]

I need some help. I recently purchased a workhorse 7 ballast that claims to be able to power 1 or 2 96 watt bulbs. I ordered two 96 watt bulbs also. When I received shipment one bulb was broken. So I decided to wire the ballast for its one light configuration. I got it all set turned it on and everything seemed good. Within two hours the bulb broke at the end away from the pins where the two tubes are joined. I ran to the LFS and paid twicw as much for a new bulb as I did online, thinking maybe the bulb was damaged during shipping. I installed it and within two hours it happened again. It doesn't seem like it is getting real hot. I am totally confused. I just can't afford to keep trying it. I'm not sure if running two lamps would solve this or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated. By the way the light was a Catalina Compact 10,000 k German style flat pin arrangement.

 

[antwood]

Hmmm if you followed the wiring schems I would say that you are good to go with a one bulb setup.

Of course PC bulbs are notorious for breaking. That is why I use T5.


I would take them back and tell them that they were in for 2 hours and broke. See if they can sell you a old PC to see if happens again.

The reason I say this is that 2 PC breaking, I would say OK I can believe that, 3 though hmmm big maybe.......
Besides if you had them wired wrong I think that they burst into flames ) or at least melt your endcaps.

 

[shermlock]

How is it being wired? Are you using one red wire, two, all? Sounds like you may be over overdriving them. I have had a WH7 driving 2 36 watt bulbs for way over a year without any problems. Good luck!
Scott

 

[antwood]

On a side note, PC's don't like getting splashed.... So check to see if you got some splashing going on....

 

[goldenJ]

Usually if they are overfiring they will melt the endcaps (not that I have done that of course) The PC's I had on my old tank broke if they got almost any water them.

 

[jmuscat2]

Ok just making sure I'm not nuts. I'll try running them away from any water for a while to make sure they aren't getting splashed some how. I have another fixture that is identical except it has four 36 watt bulbs that I've never had a problem with. Maybe I'll just install four 36 watt bulbs instead of 2 96 watt.

 

[antwood]

So what was the verdict on this jmuscat2?
Just wanted to know if everything worked out for you.

 

[jmuscat2]

Still waiting for delivery on my new bulbs. I decided to just go with 4-26 watt bulbs instead of 2-96. I'm thinling of building a canopy so I can add some more lights, possibly Metal Halide.