PAGE 68 — LT6KV LIGHT TOWER • OPERATION MANUAL — REV. #2 (07/08/16)
TROUBLESHOOTING (LAMPS)
Table 14. Lamp Troubleshooting
Symptom
Possible Cause
Solution
Lamp will not start.
Lamp Burned Out?
Test the lamp in a fixture which is operating properly.
Replace if necessary.
Lamp Loose in Socket?
Inspect lamp base to see if there is arcing at center
contact button. Tighten lamp snugly. Check socket for
damage. Replace if defective.
Lamp Plugs Not Tight?
Check plug and receptacle. Tighten if loose.
Defective Ballast?
Interchange ballast plugs in generator enclosure.
If lamp starts, replace ballast. Check ballast wiring
against diagram. Check for swollen capacitor, charred
wiring, core and coil or other signs of excessive heat.
Low Voltage?
Check line voltage at ballast input. Voltage should
be within 10% of nameplate rating when operating
at normal load. Increase supply voltage or remove
external load.
Improper Ballast?
Proper HID lights will perform erratically or fail to
start on an improper ballast. The ballast nameplate
data must agree with the line voltage and lamp used.
Improper ballast causes lamp failure. Note: Mercury
lights of the same wattage will operate properly on
Metal Halide ballasts.
Improper Lamp Operating
Position (Metal Halide only)?
Operating position should agree with the lamp tech.
A BU-HOR lamp can be operated base up vertical to
and including the horizontal and a BD can be operated
base down vertical to, approaching, but not including
the horizontal. A lamp operated beyond the specified
position may not start.
Lamp has been Operating: Cool
Down Time Insufficient?
HID lights(High Pressure Sodium, Metal Halide,
Mercury Vapor) require from 4 to 8 minutes cool-down
time before restarting. Switch off breaker and allow
lamp to cool.
Lamp flickers and goes
out intermittent or
cycling.
Improper Ballast?
Improper ballasting can cause flickering or erratic
operation. In the start-up period the lamp may ignite,
start to warm up and then extinguish (cycle).
New Lamp?
Under certain conditions new lights may "cycle".
Usually after 3 tries to start at 30 to 60 second
intervals, lights will stabilize and operate satisfactorily.
Defective Lamp?
Replace lamp.
