MV light problem

[Paul K]

I have 110v160W Mercury vapor self ballasted lights.
The problem I have is that when I turn them on when they get warm they turn off by it self and then when cool off turn on again and it is going on and on.
It is no way to collect in this way.
Is anyone experience this problem?
I have to mention that I run this bulb in Thailand on 220v thru converter, but I have done it same way in Franch Guiana and it was perfectly fine there.
Any advice will be appreciate .

[leptraps]

I well give you the best answer based on years of experience using MVSB to collect with, to sell to customers and to service as a product.

You self ballast bulb can do one of two things.

When you use a 220/240 inverter or single leg adaptor, when your bulb gets hot it drops out the incandescent starter and the restarts when it cools down. This is the most likely cause. Time for a new bulb. However, it will still operate on 110VAC without a problem.

The other is a damaged or partially burned filament. The filament gets hot due to the resistance and separates the filament just enough to short out the light. Once it cools down the filament makes contact and the bulb lights up again.

Best suggestion, get a new bulb.

[Paul K]

Aug 21, 2016 8:25:24 GMT -8 leptraps said:

I well give you the best answer based on years of experience using MVSB to collect with, to sell to customers and to service as a product.

You self ballast bulb can do one of two things.

When you use a 220/240 inverter or single leg adaptor, when your bulb gets hot it drops out the incandescent starter and the restarts when it cools down. This is the most likely cause. Time for a new bulb. However, it will still operate on 110VAC without a problem.

The other is a damaged or partially burned filament. The filament gets hot due to the resistance and separates the filament just enough to short out the light. Once it cools down the filament makes contact and the bulb lights up again.

Best suggestion, get a new bulb.

Thank you Leroy. Now the bulbs are about 15 years old, but to be honest I used them only maybe for no more then 30 hrs in total.
I have two of them and they are doing exactly the same pattern . I am guessing it could be related also with the gas inside in relation with metal.
Used or not used but still getting older

[Adam Cotton]

It might also be a problem with the electricity supply. Perhaps the difference in Hertz between countries can also cause this. I know some countries' electricity supply is 50Hz but others are 60Hz, I'm not sure what that means though .

Adam.

[leptraps]

Your bulbs are 15 years old. Does this problem occur on 110\120 VAC!

Hz is the cycle of electricity per second (unit of time). It has little effect on light bulb filaments. To understand Hz, Google it. In a poor man term, it is what makes your teeth chatter when you get an electrical shock.

Filaments restrict the flow of the ectrical current and creates light AND heat. Incandescent bulbs are short lived. Fluorescent bulbs use smaller filaments which create light that causes the phosphorus coating to emitt the light. Less heat. But a ballast that produces the cycles (Hz) is required.

However, as I stated in my previous post, the filaments deteriorate over time, add age to that and possibly the lower Hz, maybe causising the problem. Again. Try it in 110VAC.

I use more 12VDC than 120VAC. I say more bad words when I short myself out with 12VDC than I do with 120VAC.

[Paul K]

Aug 22, 2016 3:49:58 GMT -8 leptraps said:

Your bulbs are 15 years old. Does this problem occur on 110\120 VAC!

Hz is the cycle of electricity per second (unit of time). It has little effect on light bulb filaments. To understand Hz, Google it. In a poor man term, it is what makes your teeth chatter when you get an electrical shock.

Filaments restrict the flow of the ectrical current and creates light AND heat. Incandescent bulbs are short lived. Fluorescent bulbs use smaller filaments which create light that causes the phosphorus coating to emitt the light. Less heat. But a ballast that produces the cycles (Hz) is required.

However, as I stated in my previous post, the filaments deteriorate over time, add age to that and possibly the lower Hz, maybe causising the problem. Again. Try it in 110VAC.

I use more 12VDC than 120VAC. I say more bad words when I short myself out with 12VDC than I do with 120VAC.

Well , I used it in Franch Guiana at 220V with no problem, but 15 years ago. Then I used couple of times in Canada 110V. I have not use them for more then 10 years and I tried to use them again in Ko Tao Thailand last year , but I was sure that must be supply problem as that happen there often. Now I wanted to use in Chiang Mai and they don't work. I will take them back to Canada in November and try there just to see. I will have to get new bulbs for my winter stay in Ko Samui as I would love to do some night collecting there.

[58chevy]

I have some 400w MV bulbs that are about 8 years old. I've only used one of them, and it is still working fine on 110VAC (generator). I also have some fluorescent blacklight bulbs that are about 12 years old. How long should I expect these bulbs to last? Does the vacuum deteriorate over time?

[leptraps]

Fluorescent bulbs can last for 20+ years in storage. Some will last that long in use.

Fluorescent are designed for static use. Constant movement will cause the phosphorus coating to shift within the tube and as a result will alter the UV bands of light emitted from the tube. Leptraps (And Leroy C. Koehn) recommends replacing the UV bulbs in Light Traps at least once a year, or if you use them extensively, you should change the bulb once a month. Collecting lights should be replaced after 10 or 15 uses.

For best results, replace your bulbs several times a year, or at the least, every spring.

You will notice a difference in you amount of hugs you collect.

[58chevy]

What about MV bulbs? How long do new bulbs last in storage? How long with moderate usage?

[leptraps]

All HID bulbs, MV, Metal Hilade, etc., the glass bulb is a seal vacuum chamber. They can last idefinately. Once the bulb is used, the filament begins to slowly deteriorate. Some faster the others, but they all deteriorate as the result of use.

I have three 250Watt MVSB that are 15+ years old. They have probably been use 50 times, and most of that was 10 years ago. The last time I used my Light Set-up was at the Lep Soc meeting in Park City, UT.I Checked them with my Light Meter and they were well over 98% of actual.

However, all of the MV bulbs that I have sold were made in either Canada or the USA. There is a huge difference in the quality of HID bulbs made in USA/CAN than those made in China, India and Asia in general.

I thought I had found an MV manufacturer, however, once I received the bulbs, they were Metal Hilade Hybrids. Just a another bright light bulb with -0- UV.