Author Topic: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware  (Read 5949 times)
Medved
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #15 on: February 08, 2019, 02:51:16 AM » Author: Medved
So then these are all out of the picture then with max at 150 I gather?

These are the ignitors designed for the 55V lamps (that means their internal triggering voltage is around 100..120V).
If these are from that HPS fixture, the MV won't work there.

The ignitors for "100V" lamps (S56 and above) need triggering voltage of about 200..240V.

The triggering voltage has to be designed so it is above the lamp voltage when running, but still below the peak value of the OCV (so 1.414*OCV, just with some margin). Usually the triggering voltage is designed close to the upper limit, so the ignitor does not interfere with running lamp even when the arc violtage becomes high (e.g. old lamp,...)
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shane2bt
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #16 on: February 09, 2019, 02:53:07 PM » Author: shane2bt
Medved
The posted 3 ge ignitors are too low correct?
Thanks
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funkybulb
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #17 on: February 09, 2019, 04:55:36 PM » Author: funkybulb
MV lamp dont need to use ignitors as they use a Starting Probe that inside the MV arc tube.  the lamp
have pretty low starting voltage.  as arc pressure increase so does the arc voltage.  It the  whole HPS gear that is 120 volt OCV.  rule of thumb MV  is Open circuit voltage need to be twice the arc voltage to sustian the arc in the tube.  being on 120 volt  open circuit with 100 volt arc MV lamp and it Designed for 55 arc volt.   meaning lamp runs up to point that it exceed the ballast design and lamp just goes out. cools down and repeat it self

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HomeBrewLamps
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SodiumVapor 105843202020668111118 UCpGClK_9OH8N4QkD1fp-jNw majorpayne1226 187567902@N04/
Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #18 on: February 09, 2019, 06:42:02 PM » Author: HomeBrewLamps
You can't run a 175 watt mercury Vapor lamp properly on HPS gear.

If you want to run it properly you must go purchase a 175 watt ballast
what you search up in Google would be:
"175 watt metal halide ballast"
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Lighting-Technologies-M175MLTAC3M500K-Ballast/dp/B000UX8ZHC/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1549754722&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=175+watt+metal+halide+ballast

Also brinks lamps are cheap and trashy. It will likely not last you more than a few months, I'd recommend purchasing a Sylvania lamp or Eye lamp as they are quality made (for today's standards)
https://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-69444-H39KB-175-Mercury-Vapor/dp/B000V5ZTZA/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1549755651&sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=Sylvania+175+watt+clear
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shane2bt
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #19 on: February 09, 2019, 10:27:58 PM » Author: shane2bt
Alright! Thanks for the links. I bought that exact ballast. Hope to let yall know how I make out.

Thanks!
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HomeBrewLamps
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SodiumVapor 105843202020668111118 UCpGClK_9OH8N4QkD1fp-jNw majorpayne1226 187567902@N04/
Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #20 on: February 09, 2019, 11:17:12 PM » Author: HomeBrewLamps
Alright! Thanks for the links. I bought that exact ballast. Hope to let yall know how I make out.

Thanks!

If you need pointers on wiring it up let us know. Good luck!
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shane2bt
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #21 on: February 09, 2019, 11:18:09 PM » Author: shane2bt
I'm sure I will. Thanks. Back in a few days!
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shane2bt
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #22 on: February 13, 2019, 12:36:52 PM » Author: shane2bt
OK, used working transformer abd capacitor from a Amazon link provided in thread. I have 165 volts at light but no action. Any ideas?

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Medved
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #23 on: February 13, 2019, 01:20:02 PM » Author: Medved
OK, used working transformer abd capacitor from a Amazon link provided in thread. I have 165 volts at light but no action. Any ideas?



165V OCV across the lamp is not enough for an MV, they use to require at least 200V OCV.
Check the correct connection, if e.g. the windings are not swapped, LineIn and Neutral to the ballast swapped (swapping these may indeed lead to the observed 165 instead of a designed 285V OCV)... All MV ballasts useto have OCV of about 220..250V, probe start MH ballasts (officially MV compatible) use around 350V, I doubt therewould beany ballastdesigned for lower(tha  the 220V).
Try to momentarily short the lamp, to create some voltage kick, if the lamp starts doing something...
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shane2bt
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #24 on: February 13, 2019, 01:30:26 PM » Author: shane2bt
OK. I arced and it kicked on! Started around 6 volts and going up.. Around 30volts now... Hopefully going up and get bright enough that I can't stand to look at it. How do I start it without arcing? I  want this to come on every night.

Update
Now that it's warmed up it starts without arcing.. Is it just broken in now or is it because of temperature? Or did I rattle something on transformer with initial arcing of terminals I did?

More updates.
I don't think it consistently gets to full brightness as I have turned it off and back on a few times.. Once having to short it to kick it on. Stays around 35 to 45 volts, first time she got to 58 volts and was very bright...

Thanks
« Last Edit: February 13, 2019, 05:56:48 PM by shane2bt » Logged
HomeBrewLamps
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SodiumVapor 105843202020668111118 UCpGClK_9OH8N4QkD1fp-jNw majorpayne1226 187567902@N04/
Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #25 on: February 13, 2019, 09:49:47 PM » Author: HomeBrewLamps
I believe I see your issue. I think you're using the wire labeled 277 volts, you should use the wire labeled 120 volts, on the wires there's text printed saying what voltage that wires for. You have a multitap ballast that has 120, 277, 240 and 480.

I believe the 120 volt wire is the red one, but look at the wires text to be sure.


ALSO I seriously recommend getting a better lamp than that brinks lamp pictured. The brinks will work but they're so cheaply made that they die rather quick and it may over heat the ballast due to having an improperly sized arc tube. The manufacturer cuts corners and makes a crappy lamp. I'd recommend buying one of those Sylvania I gave you a link for.. Sylvania lamps should last you years for the application you're using them for.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2019, 09:51:34 PM by HomeBrewLamps » Logged

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shane2bt
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #26 on: February 13, 2019, 10:07:31 PM » Author: shane2bt
I'm on the red wire. I will change lamps as I have one on order. How about metal halide 200 watt or plus ? Is is a whiter light than sodium? This 175 mercury is about half as bright as my yellow sodium light.

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HomeBrewLamps
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SodiumVapor 105843202020668111118 UCpGClK_9OH8N4QkD1fp-jNw majorpayne1226 187567902@N04/
Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #27 on: February 14, 2019, 02:14:09 AM » Author: HomeBrewLamps
I'm on the red wire. I will change lamps as I have one on order. How about metal halide 200 watt or plus ? Is is a whiter light than sodium? This 175 mercury is about half as bright as my yellow sodium light.



Is the red wire working? Does the wire say "120 volts" on it?

Also how many watts is the Sodium light you're using?


Is that a side by side comparison picture of the mercury lamp and Sodium lamp? If so that mercury lamp is extremely dim....


If you want to run a metal halide lamp of 250 watts or 400 watts you'll need yet another ballast meant for those wattage of lamps..
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Re: I want to run a mercury lamp with sodium hardware « Reply #28 on: March 09, 2019, 03:39:03 PM » Author: M250R201SA
My mercury is a new brinks 175W off Amazon.

First off shane2bt, Welcome to Lighting-Gallery.  You will learn an awful lot during your time here.

Second, Brinks does not make Mercury Lamps.  What you have is a cheap, not-very-good, Caster lamp, made in China.  It is extremely cheap, so-much-so that Regent/Brinks replaced the Philips lamps that used to come with their Yardblasters with the Chinese lamps, because they saved a nickel..  The Absolute BEST Mercury Lamp you could find (and they are very very hard to come by) is a Westinghouse Lifeguard lamp.  Those lamps NEVER die!  You can find them on eBay from time to time.  If you see one, SNATCH IT UP!!! 

Again, Welcome to LG.
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