Testing magnetic ballast

OK. I'm getting 303VAC between the Com wire (going to the bulb) and both terminals on the Cap. What next?

And I appear to be getting the same voltage in the socket. Is it the bulb, or is something not 'firing' the bulb?

I'm assuming you tested for voltage at the socket as well and are seeign the 303VAC too right?

To test the cap, remove the cap from the circuit and discharge it to ground, If your meter will test capacitance see what it comes up with, if not then set it up to measure resistance around 2K ohm should do, the resistance should ramp up and down (you may have to bump up the range).

I tested it both ways. It's got a capacitance (is the the right term?) of 15.3uF and when I run the resistance my meter goes from low resistance up to around 650 kohm and then bounces back down and repeats. 650 might be the range of my meter, or the setting I had it on. It's a Fluke 177 that I 'borrowed' from work.

Good news and bad news..and better news.

Good news, ballast and cap check out fine
Bad news, bulb it likely toast

Better news, you can now effectively troubleshoot magnetic ballasts.

That stinks. Although I think I can get a bulb for cheaper than a new ballast, so that's a good thing. That bulb is only a couple months old too. I'll snag a generic 250W bulb from work and bring it home and try it out. It should look pretty cool, it'll probably be around 2100K. lol

Where'd you get the bulb from, any warranty? I know Marine Depot is where I have been getting our halides mostly because have a 12 month pro-rated warranty from the date of purchase. Though you have to ship them the dead bulb and wait for it to be tested and they'll credit you with the balance or knock it off the price of a replacement.

I bought it directly from Hamilton. I'd probably be hard pressed to find a receipt though.

I think in the interim I'm going to take my 250W pendant down and hang my 150W Brinks HQI pendat retro until I can figure out what's wrong with the 250W jobber.

Ah HA, so I'm not the only one who has eyeballed those Brinks jobbers for chaep <$30 sitting on the shelves of WallyWorld adn HD. Anything good in them? Come one show us your hacks!

Angel found all the stuff to get our OLD digi working yesterday, so we'll be able take some pictures again (albiet far lesser quality) until I can tear down the newer one, and see if i can fix it, or permanently let the smoke out.