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Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 11:14 am
by Danny
I have 2 Philips 180w SOX lamps here, both look fine to the eye. However appear very stubborn to start off of a 180w Leak. I tried them both in my Ballast & Ignitor MA50 to see if they'd start. They did and were extremely red on start up. but due to the power being too low the ignitor cut them out. Has anyone got any idea what i could add on to the Leak to possibly get them both started?

Jon suggested a SOX ignitor however with the risk that it could blow the ignitor up, so i am not overly keen on that idea seen as i am low on spare ignitors as it is

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 11:31 am
by Andy
I think a SOX ignitor would be damaged by the high OCV of the leak tranny.
Can you not get the lamps to start at all?
If you do eventually get them to light, I'd run them for 12 hours as that might just clear them up.

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 6:42 am
by AngryHorse
How good is the capacitor on the autoleak though?

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 10:25 am
by Danny
Erm... missing lol. ;wall

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 11:17 am
by FrontSideBus
There is your problem lol.

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 7:09 pm
by Danny
Anyone got any spare?

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 8:59 pm
by Slyspark
What size?

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 9:19 pm
by Danny
I dunno just the correct cap for a 135/180 leak ballast Philips L4135.

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 10:29 pm
by Slyspark
Does it not say on the ballast? I assume this is a cap that has both legs wired to terminals on the ballast and it's not just PFC?

Re: Stubborn to start 180w SOX lamps

Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 11:14 pm
by FrontSideBus
The one I have came c/w a 20uf 300v cap.
I'm sure a 20uf 400v motor run cap would work fine.