DIY Underwater Lights

[Root Canal]

You could have the wrong type of lamp. The lamp and ballast need to have the same wattage rating.
Another possiblity is lamps are made and sold to be mounted with the base up, base down, base horizontal, universal.
If your mounting them with the base in a different direction than made for, they won't last.

[Root Canal]

Here is a link that talks about base direction.

http://www.venturelighting.com/TechCenter/ProperUse.html

[scb71]

Thanks.
I've not been using a base- just soldering the wires to the bulb itself. Ballast and bulb are both 175w mercury vapor. Ballast is a ge unit so it should be good quality. Bulbs from Lowes as they had better expected lumens and life - a little more expensive than Home Depot but the last thing I wanted to do was replace these things more often. Unfortunately that hasn't worked out for me.

I've been using PVC, soldering the wires to the bulbs, inverting the light base side up in the PVC, pouring two part marine bondo epoxy (not regular bondo) around the base and another inch or so, then using silicone to seal the exterior edges for good measure. Unfortunately they are only lasting about a month so I know there is a better way.

Help Please!!!!! This is frustrating as you can imagine.

[scb71]

Can anyone please help out here?
Some suggestions with known workable parts list, anything?
thanks!

[Root Canal]

The Base is the metal part of the lamp you are soldering your wires to.

You are probably thinking I was talking about a lamp socket.