Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « on: June 12, 2011, 07:21:45 PM » Author: Fox Mantra
This fixture of mine , i have now got both working >> http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=1420&pos=3&pid=55247 One is fixed to my shelves on my wall the other i got working today and put the Purple disco effect over the bulb and now is behind my LCD computer monitor.   But last 15 mins ago i moved it a little to ajust the output but i touched the bottom metal with the ballast sits,  and it was RED HOT, i could not hold it for more than 3 seconds, Was wondering is i supposed to get that hot, or there's something wrong with it , Thanks fox.
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	Re: Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « Reply #1 on: June 12, 2011, 11:34:34 PM » Author: xmaslightguy
Some magnetic ballasts run hot, but that sounds like it might be overheating a bit (do you notice any hot/burnt-electric smell when right near it?) how hot does the 2nd one get? If it doesn't got as bad, maybe try swapping bulbs between them just for testing. I had a 2xF40T12 ballast on my fishtank that got blazingly hot...if you held it for 3 seconds you woulda had a burn for sure (seriously could barely even touch the thing at all it got so hot. Oddly the thermal protection never tripped, i finally changed it out for a T8 electronic just to keep things cooler)
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	Re: Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « Reply #3 on: June 17, 2011, 06:12:20 AM » Author: dor123
Ash: i guess "Shorted starter" is the same as "Stuck starter". Stuck starter will cause the electrodes of the lamp to preheat endlessly and to glow red, and this can cause the ballast to overheat.
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	Re: Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « Reply #4 on: June 17, 2011, 09:48:08 AM » Author: Fox Mantra
They both work well with a 8-20w starter, and the starters both come on withing 5 seconds. Might change them though see how it reacts
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	Re: Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « Reply #5 on: June 17, 2011, 03:29:54 PM » Author: SuperSix
They do get hot after about half an hour, but not usually uncomfortably hot! Is the other one the same? The others things to look out for if the choke is failing are cathodes glowing brighter than usual during preheating, starter sticking longer than usual and obvious discolouration to the choke and the cables around it.
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	Re: Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « Reply #6 on: February 02, 2012, 03:38:54 AM » Author: BG101
I've just checked both of my MLP13 fittings in the kitchen which have been on all night (as usual) and they are pleasantly warm, but certainly not hot, to the touch. Maybe the diffusers on the MDPs trap significantly more heat BG
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	Re: Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « Reply #8 on: February 02, 2012, 10:22:32 AM » Author: Fox Mantra
Ive had one fitting under my bed shelf now for months since this Post has been up.  I think BG101 is right a bit as i took off the Diffuser one night and it was a lot cooler, Still hotter than normal ballasts but i cant smell any electrics or bad wires at all. Tried 4 different starters it does the same...
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	Re: Fitzgerald 13w T5 MDP13 is it Supposed to get that HOT. « Reply #10 on: February 08, 2012, 10:26:49 AM » Author: BG101
There is mention in the literature for the Fitzgerald lightpacks of the 110V versions (presumably sold here for use on site transformers) and it states that these use transformer ballasts and use of diffusers is not recommended in high ambient temperatures. I'll see if I can find the leaflet, there should be one in the unopened box with twin 65W fitting (5ft T12, supplied on request with daylight tubes) I have in the loft which is presently waiting for installation in the workshop. BG
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