PFO Electronic Ballast & Radium Bulb Problems
 

Anyone run this combination? I picked up a used PFO Electronic Ballast and a brand new Radium bulb and the bulb does not turn on when my aquacontroller tells it to. In fact it doesn't turn on at all until I turn on the on/off switch on the ballast, wait a few seconds while the ballast makes a buzzing sound, turn it off then immediately turn it back on. Its driving me nuts!

does it work if you just plug it in the wall without the controller?
i had trouble getting my reefkeeperlite to start my bulb at first cause the bulb was already hot, i left it for 1/2 hour or so and it did turn on by its self.
is this a hqi bulb? with a electronic ballast it should start any type of bulb i believe

The Radium 20K 250W bulb is specifically spec'd for a 250W HQI (M80) ballast. While a 250W electronic ballast will work with that bulb, it will underdrive the Radium. Therein may be the issue.

It doesn't even turn on even if I just plug it into the wall...very frustrating...this is why I don't like Electronic ballasts (but it was cheap-ish)!!

Anyone want to trade an Electronic 250W Ballast for an HQI Ballast??

if it doesnt even turn on when plugged rite into the wall then something is wrong with the ballast i would assume... have you tried it with other bulbs?

Sorry, I should clarify, it doesn't turn on without fiddling even if it is plugged into the wall. The bulb does turn on eventually, I just need to goad it to...

Sounds like a ballast problem. Can you take it back?