AH Supply

[TheFighterFish]

I'm just wondering about other people's experience with these lights. They were recommended to me on this forum but I'm starting to get a little annoyed. Here's why:

My plan was to bump up my 10 gallon's WPG by retrofitting & replacing a normal 18 W hood with two 13 watt bulbs. I went to their website and ordered the kit (which I believe they don't sell anymore).

The combo kit included: 2 ballasts, 2 MIRO reflectors, the outlet, and assembly parts. In addition, I ordered two 13 W bulbs rated at 6700 K. This was in April of 2007 and it cost about $31. Soon after the life time on both bulbs gave out on me (separated by a few months). I ordered 2 more 6700K bulbs and w/ shipping it came to about $16.

Just a few days ago both lights gave out as I was doing a PWC. I could tell when the light just slightly glows orange at the tip. Incidentally, the bulb was a bit loose and I took a chance to look at its insides. The tip of the light source was blackened and that's how I knew for sure it was burnt.

I just ordered four new bulbs of AH supply. Two are rated at 10000 K and the other 2 are a mix of antinic and 10000 K for my future FOWRL conversion But in all seriousness this cost me about 30 more dollars.

Generally, I run my lights on for about 10 hours, everyday. Is this what I should expect for each bulb's lifetime? Or am I wrongfully ticked off.

 

[epond83]

Most lights usually need replaced once a year because the don't give of the right spectrum after that point, i've never had a bulb burnout on me. i hate trowing out bulbs that still run.

What type of bulb are you running? is the ballast rated for that bulb?

 

[Avalon]

I don't much care for the bulbs they use. All of the bulbs I've ever bought either burnt-out or separated from the base, with most of them being the latter. The rest of the stuff is good. I did complain once and they sent me new ones.

 

[TheFighterFish]

They are 13W single bulb and the ones I currently use are 10000K. The ballasts were supplied by AH supply themselves and I think its safe to say the ballasts are rated fine. Each bulb has its own ballast supply.

Many times I've thought about upgrading to a 20, but I always felt like I worked so hard to retrofit the canopy that it'd be put to waste. I'd sell it if I could find buyers around my area. Looking at the total money spent, I could nearly bought the Satellite compacts rated for 4 WPG. Oh well.