Hi folks after 5 years running the ultraviolet bulb went dark . I replaced it with an exact same bulb it blew right away. At $30.00 a pop I'm a little gun shy to place the second one in. Can a bad ballast blow the bulb and how best to check it. Thanks Mike
You don't say where you live, but that can have an influence on your problem.
I sell UV Lamps (lots of them, 106 in 2008), and my biggest problem area is coastal Florida. Most of my burnouts come from that area. There is a higher then average amount of utility power spikes in Florida then we see in other states. Power spikes are the bane of UV bulbs. Beyond this area, and other than an occasional lighting storm hit, the lamps that we sell (Triatomics (BlueTube) have been trouble free.
Depending on the model of light, some are designed for extended voltage ranges. Usually the 24 volt are the problem. We have lights that have a very tight range of voltage around 24 volts. These are usually the more economical lights. Then we have the extended power packs (ballast) that are designed to take up to 34 volts. These usually do not see the burnout problems that the less expensive lights do. And the 110volt lamps are almost trouble free regarding burnout from power spike.
I can't communicate with you because you are a new poster and forum rules, but I would be happy to try to answer any of your questions.
Good luck
Jay