MH lighting ID please

[miskairal]

I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists
of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else
but I dont' know what.

Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg

I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
socket would/could be for?

Thanks.

[Croosh]

Hi Miskairal,
Is there another socket like this on the opposite end of the
canopy/fixture?
Regards
Yuriy

[Wayne Sallee]

Looks like a socket for a flouresent light. Can you get a
picture looking into the socket?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



miskairal wrote on 2/17/2006 4:53 PM:
> I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
> need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists
> of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else
> but I dont' know what.
>
> Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
> http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>
> I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
> months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
> socket would/could be for?
>
> Thanks.

[miskairal]

Croosh - no there isn't another socket on the other end, it's single ended

Wayne - I will try tomorrow when the lights are back on. I took the
photo with my video camera which doesn't provide flash.

Thankyou both for looking.


Wayne Sallee wrote:
> Looks like a socket for a flouresent light. Can you get a picture
> looking into the socket?
>
> Wayne Sallee
> Wayne's Pets
>
>
>
> miskairal wrote on 2/17/2006 4:53 PM:
>
>> I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank.
>> I need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup
>> consists of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for
>> something else but I dont' know what.
>>
>> Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
>> http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>>
>> I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in
>> 12 months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
>> socket would/could be for?
>>
>> Thanks.

[Croosh]

If it was fluorescent socket, it would definitely have a "mate" on the
other end.
Are there two contacts or just on in the center? It might be a socket
for a small bulb used for "moonlight", or just a left over from
fluorescent light.
Are there any wires connected to it? What is on the other end of the
wire if there is one?

Regards
Yuriy

[miskairal]

Aw now you are getting technical :)
However being the unobservant person that I am I have realized that one
of the two fixtures DOES have two ends to it, the other one has a hole
as though something was there once. There is a single "contact" I think
ie. there is one metal pin in the centre of each white plastic bit. I
can see no wires coming from any of these though.

It's hard when you have no idea what you are looking at to remember what
is there or describe it, sort of like looking inside your computer for
the first time. When I upgrade to 250W bulbs will I be able to use the
same fixture as the 150W bulbs now go in or will I need to buy the whole
lot new? Probably won't save any money anyway.


Croosh wrote:
> If it was fluorescent socket, it would definitely have a "mate" on the
> other end.
> Are there two contacts or just on in the center? It might be a socket
> for a small bulb used for "moonlight", or just a left over from
> fluorescent light.
> Are there any wires connected to it? What is on the other end of the
> wire if there is one?
>
> Regards
> Yuriy
>

[adv_aqua]

Could be for a "moonlight lamp" these would most likely be incandescent of
some sort and would require a single connection point.

If you can find a sticker or info on manufacter get thier name and city,
then call national directory assistance for phone number to confirm.

Pomacanthus
www.advancedaquarium.com




"miskairal" > wrote in message
u...
>I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
>need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists of
>one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else but I
>dont' know what.
>
> Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
> http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>
> I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
> months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white socket
> would/could be for?
>
> Thanks.

[Wayne Sallee]

A compact would not need a mate on the other side.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Croosh wrote on 2/18/2006 2:52 AM:
> If it was fluorescent socket, it would definitely have a "mate" on the
> other end.
> Are there two contacts or just on in the center? It might be a socket
> for a small bulb used for "moonlight", or just a left over from
> fluorescent light.
> Are there any wires connected to it? What is on the other end of the
> wire if there is one?
>
> Regards
> Yuriy
>

[Wayne Sallee]

Maybe it's a shower curtain holder :-)

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



miskairal wrote on 2/18/2006 5:07 AM:
> Aw now you are getting technical :)
> However being the unobservant person that I am I have realized that one
> of the two fixtures DOES have two ends to it, the other one has a hole
> as though something was there once. There is a single "contact" I think
> ie. there is one metal pin in the centre of each white plastic bit. I
> can see no wires coming from any of these though.
>
> It's hard when you have no idea what you are looking at to remember what
> is there or describe it, sort of like looking inside your computer for
> the first time. When I upgrade to 250W bulbs will I be able to use the
> same fixture as the 150W bulbs now go in or will I need to buy the whole
> lot new? Probably won't save any money anyway.
>
>
> Croosh wrote:
>
>> If it was fluorescent socket, it would definitely have a "mate" on the
>> other end.
>> Are there two contacts or just on in the center? It might be a socket
>> for a small bulb used for "moonlight", or just a left over from
>> fluorescent light.
>> Are there any wires connected to it? What is on the other end of the
>> wire if there is one?
>>
>> Regards
>> Yuriy
>>

[~Roy~]

Turn off the power to yur lights, The poke a wooden pencil or such
into the center portion of that "unknown thingie" Does it depress and
rebound back. Is the center made of brass? Does it seem to have a
spring when its depressed that causes it to push back? If so it would
have to be a socket . I have seen MH ballasts with dual sockets of
different types already, so you could use different types of bulbs.
Does the opposte MH light fixture have this same "thing" with the two
of them facing each other. If so It probably is a pin type socket for
a florescent bulb. What is the distance between the two "thingies"
That would clue you in to possible length of a tube type light. Does
ot appear to be a moon light of any kind......and a lot of these
fixtures come with a socket for florescent lighting so you can add an
actinic light . Is there a name for the MH light assembly, like
Coralife, Hampton, etc?

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 07:53:34 +1000, miskairal
> wrote:
>><>I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
>><>need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists
>><>of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else
>><>but I dont' know what.
>><>
>><>Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>><>
>><>I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
>><>months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
>><>socket would/could be for?
>><>
>><>Thanks.

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[~Roy~]

I just wnt out to my shop, and dig a little digging. I have some MH
bulbs that more than likely would take a socket that looks just like
yur unknown thingie. Instead of having an end as the installed bulb
does, these have flats on the end of the bulb, made from ceramic or
something similar, and a single brass semi pointed contact pin (each
end) Looking at the sockets I have one end is spring loaded, the other
end is ridgid. My bet its a socket for yet another type of MH bulb
especailly if there isanother like item across from it.

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 07:53:34 +1000, miskairal
> wrote:
>><>I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
>><>need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists
>><>of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else
>><>but I dont' know what.
>><>
>><>Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>><>
>><>I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
>><>months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
>><>socket would/could be for?
>><>
>><>Thanks.

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[~Roy~]

Right, but that socket thingie is not a PC type socket.....It appears
to be a single point contact socket for those MH bulbs with porcelain
ends, (like those 8 foot long florescent light tubes normally have)

All the PC sockets I ever seen were square or paralelll pin
configuration or such....

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 16:58:12 GMT, Wayne Sallee >
wrote:
>><>A compact would not need a mate on the other side.
>><>
>><>Wayne Sallee
>><>Wayne's Pets

>><>
>><>
>><>Croosh wrote on 2/18/2006 2:52 AM:
>><>> If it was fluorescent socket, it would definitely have a "mate" on the
>><>> other end.
>><>> Are there two contacts or just on in the center? It might be a socket
>><>> for a small bulb used for "moonlight", or just a left over from
>><>> fluorescent light.
>><>> Are there any wires connected to it? What is on the other end of the
>><>> wire if there is one?
>><>>
>><>> Regards
>><>> Yuriy
>><>>

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[miskairal]

Thanks again everyone for your input.

Wayne I wish it were just a shower curtain :)

None of the pins on this setup seem to spring loaded, all are solid.
There is about 10 cm (4") between the two fittings on the one that has
two parts. Here's a better pic of the pin area
http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh2.jpg

I can't see any brand name on this part of the fitting but up on top of
this there are other bits and pieces of which I assume one is the
ballast. There are 3 bits on each light. One looks like this and has the
only brand name I can see anywhere.
http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mhstuff.jpg

All this is setup over my tank already which makes it difficult to get
to, especially with my precious camera. I'm going to have nightmares of
my fish playing with my camera :0

Cheers all.

~Roy~ wrote:
> I just wnt out to my shop, and dig a little digging. I have some MH
> bulbs that more than likely would take a socket that looks just like
> yur unknown thingie. Instead of having an end as the installed bulb
> does, these have flats on the end of the bulb, made from ceramic or
> something similar, and a single brass semi pointed contact pin (each
> end) Looking at the sockets I have one end is spring loaded, the other
> end is ridgid. My bet its a socket for yet another type of MH bulb
> especailly if there isanother like item across from it.
>
> On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 07:53:34 +1000, miskairal
> > wrote:
>
>>><>I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
>>><>need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists
>>><>of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else
>>><>but I dont' know what.
>>><>
>>><>Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
>>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>>><>
>>><>I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
>>><>months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
>>><>socket would/could be for?
>>><>
>>><>Thanks.
>
>

[Croosh]

I haven't seen 10cm long fluorescent bulbs, so I'd say it's MH socket.
The thing on the second photo is your ignotior (for pulse-start
ballast).
To upgrade you lighting you'd need new ballast etc, but sockets would
stay (Unless you want to move to "Mogul" base).

Regards
Yuriy

[Wayne Sallee]

Well it's definately lighting :-)

It looks like a balast for a puls start MH light. The
manufacture of the balast that you showed, is
http://www.tridonicatco.com/kms/static_nav/index.php
The socket could have been manufactured by another
company. According to the balast, it is for up to 150 wats
of light.

Maybe Roy can fill in the rest of the info.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



miskairal wrote on 2/18/2006 5:13 PM:
> Thanks again everyone for your input.
>
> Wayne I wish it were just a shower curtain :)
>
> None of the pins on this setup seem to spring loaded, all are solid.
> There is about 10 cm (4") between the two fittings on the one that has
> two parts. Here's a better pic of the pin area
> http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh2.jpg
>
> I can't see any brand name on this part of the fitting but up on top of
> this there are other bits and pieces of which I assume one is the
> ballast. There are 3 bits on each light. One looks like this and has the
> only brand name I can see anywhere.
> http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mhstuff.jpg
>
> All this is setup over my tank already which makes it difficult to get
> to, especially with my precious camera. I'm going to have nightmares of
> my fish playing with my camera :0
>
> Cheers all.
>
> ~Roy~ wrote:
>
>> I just wnt out to my shop, and dig a little digging. I have some MH
>> bulbs that more than likely would take a socket that looks just like
>> yur unknown thingie. Instead of having an end as the installed bulb
>> does, these have flats on the end of the bulb, made from ceramic or
>> something similar, and a single brass semi pointed contact pin (each
>> end) Looking at the sockets I have one end is spring loaded, the other
>> end is ridgid. My bet its a socket for yet another type of MH bulb
>> especailly if there isanother like item across from it.
>>
>> On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 07:53:34 +1000, miskairal
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>> <>I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my
>>>> tank. I <>need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each
>>>> setup consists <>of one double ended bulb but there is also a place
>>>> for something else <>but I dont' know what.
>>>> <>
>>>> <>Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
>>>> <>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>>>> <>
>>>> <>I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W
>>>> in 12 <>months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the
>>>> other white <>socket would/could be for?
>>>> <>
>>>> <>Thanks.
>>
>>
>>

[~Roy~]

I'm going to stick to my first reply its a socket for the ceramic
covered contact pin end halide/ halogen bulbs. If its about 4" to the
oppostie one its a sure bit thats what it is, spring loaded or
not....If it was not rainy and damp actually downright cold for this
neck of the woods, I know I can go find a socket like it in my scrap
pile of junk in the barn and compare, but I would almost bet my life
thats what it is.
On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 08:13:34 +1000, miskairal
> wrote:
>><>Thanks again everyone for your input.
>><>
>><>Wayne I wish it were just a shower curtain :)
>><>
>><>None of the pins on this setup seem to spring loaded, all are solid.
>><>There is about 10 cm (4") between the two fittings on the one that has
>><>two parts. Here's a better pic of the pin area
>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh2.jpg
>><>
>><>I can't see any brand name on this part of the fitting but up on top of
>><>this there are other bits and pieces of which I assume one is the
>><>ballast. There are 3 bits on each light. One looks like this and has the
>><>only brand name I can see anywhere.
>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mhstuff.jpg
>><>
>><>All this is setup over my tank already which makes it difficult to get
>><>to, especially with my precious camera. I'm going to have nightmares of
>><>my fish playing with my camera :0
>><>
>><>Cheers all.
>><>
>><>~Roy~ wrote:
>><>> I just wnt out to my shop, and dig a little digging. I have some MH
>><>> bulbs that more than likely would take a socket that looks just like
>><>> yur unknown thingie. Instead of having an end as the installed bulb
>><>> does, these have flats on the end of the bulb, made from ceramic or
>><>> something similar, and a single brass semi pointed contact pin (each
>><>> end) Looking at the sockets I have one end is spring loaded, the other
>><>> end is ridgid. My bet its a socket for yet another type of MH bulb
>><>> especailly if there isanother like item across from it.
>><>>
>><>> On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 07:53:34 +1000, miskairal
>><>> > wrote:
>><>>
>><>>>><>I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
>><>>>><>need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists
>><>>>><>of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else
>><>>>><>but I dont' know what.
>><>>>><>
>><>>>><>Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
>><>>>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>><>>>><>
>><>>>><>I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
>><>>>><>months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
>><>>>><>socket would/could be for?
>><>>>><>
>><>>>><>Thanks.
>><>>
>><>>

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[miskairal]

Thanks all again. Glad you agree it's lighting Wayne as that's about all
I know too :)
Thanks for the link too.

Coosh does that mean pulse starting as opposed to an electronic thing?
What does pulse starting mean?

Ok Roy what is this type of bulb you mention? Are they still made or
should I just forget about the whole thing. I thought (bad thing for me
to think sometimes) that there are only two sorts of hallide lighting -
single ended and double ended. While we're on the subject is one of
those better than the other?

I imagine that in 12 months time I will just ditch the lot and go with a
whole new setup that I understand better for 250W bulbs. I don't intend
getting any difficult corals in that time and I'd really like to get a
job before forking out too many more dollars.

I'd really like you guys to know that I have a very handy hubby who can
do most things (like most Aussie farmers can) but he's cluelss about
this lighting setup.

~Roy~ wrote:
> I'm going to stick to my first reply its a socket for the ceramic
> covered contact pin end halide/ halogen bulbs. If its about 4" to the
> oppostie one its a sure bit thats what it is, spring loaded or
> not....If it was not rainy and damp actually downright cold for this
> neck of the woods, I know I can go find a socket like it in my scrap
> pile of junk in the barn and compare, but I would almost bet my life
> thats what it is.
> On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 08:13:34 +1000, miskairal
> > wrote:
>
>>><>Thanks again everyone for your input.
>>><>
>>><>Wayne I wish it were just a shower curtain :)
>>><>
>>><>None of the pins on this setup seem to spring loaded, all are solid.
>>><>There is about 10 cm (4") between the two fittings on the one that has
>>><>two parts. Here's a better pic of the pin area
>>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh2.jpg
>>><>
>>><>I can't see any brand name on this part of the fitting but up on top of
>>><>this there are other bits and pieces of which I assume one is the
>>><>ballast. There are 3 bits on each light. One looks like this and has the
>>><>only brand name I can see anywhere.
>>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mhstuff.jpg
>>><>
>>><>All this is setup over my tank already which makes it difficult to get
>>><>to, especially with my precious camera. I'm going to have nightmares of
>>><>my fish playing with my camera :0
>>><>
>>><>Cheers all.
>>><>
>>><>~Roy~ wrote:
>>><>> I just wnt out to my shop, and dig a little digging. I have some MH
>>><>> bulbs that more than likely would take a socket that looks just like
>>><>> yur unknown thingie. Instead of having an end as the installed bulb
>>><>> does, these have flats on the end of the bulb, made from ceramic or
>>><>> something similar, and a single brass semi pointed contact pin (each
>>><>> end) Looking at the sockets I have one end is spring loaded, the other
>>><>> end is ridgid. My bet its a socket for yet another type of MH bulb
>>><>> especailly if there isanother like item across from it.
>>><>>
>>><>> On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 07:53:34 +1000, miskairal
>>><>> > wrote:
>>><>>
>>><>>>><>I Have 150W metal halide lighting that came second hand with my tank. I
>>><>>>><>need to replace the bulbs. There are two "setups". Each setup consists
>>><>>>><>of one double ended bulb but there is also a place for something else
>>><>>>><>but I dont' know what.
>>><>>>><>
>>><>>>><>Here's a photo taken with the normal fluoros on
>>><>>>><>http://goatdairying.com/fish/marine/mh_light.jpg
>>><>>>><>
>>><>>>><>I've decided to stick with the 150W bulbs but will upgrade to 250W in 12
>>><>>>><>months time if I get a job. Can anyone tell me what the other white
>>><>>>><>socket would/could be for?
>>><>>>><>
>>><>>>><>Thanks.
>>><>>
>>><>>
>
>

[Wayne Sallee]

miskairal wrote on 2/19/2006 4:24 AM:
>While we're on the subject is one of
> those better than the other?

The mogule base one gives more protection should the inner
bulb break. Also you can touch the outer bulb, but
touching the hqi bulb with your figers will leave an oily
spot that can dammage the bulb. The advantage of the hqi
is that it takes up less space.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets