NEED HELP UTAH COUNTY
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43694
Printed Date: August 02 2026 at 7:57am
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Topic: NEED HELP UTAH COUNTY
Posted By: Jeremyw
Subject: NEED HELP UTAH COUNTY
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 11:28am
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Any one know how to wire a ballast? I need help with mine I cant get it to work it just flickers and apparently it used to work before I bought it. ------------- Next meeting: |
Replies:
Posted By: KMastin
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 11:32am
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I had problems with mine like that and I tried a new bulb and it worked. The bulb was the problem not the ballast. Lucky for me I thought I was going to have to fix the ballast too.
------------- Kathy Mastin |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 11:37am
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well i know its not the bulb because I have moved the bulb to a different fixture and it worked fine. ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 12:10pm
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where are you in UT county? I might be able to help sometime this week, let me know. ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 12:15pm
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im in Pleasant grove ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 12:23pm
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Or if any one wants to skype with me and walk me through it that would work too! ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 12:39pm
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Mogul base (SE) or DE bulb?
------------- - My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 12:54pm
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de with aro ballast 2 of them. ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 1:15pm
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Check the contacts inside the DE socket and make sure they are not loose.
When you put a DE bulb into the socket, it should "snap" into place. You can use a slotted screwdriver or needle nose pliers to gently close the gap at the socket ends. I had a 250 DE pendant that had the "flickering" problem. I adjusted the contacts for asnug fit, and the flickering stopped. ------------- - My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 1:23pm
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checked that contacts are good. ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 1:24pm
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im almost positive i missed wired it somehow ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 1:47pm
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if you have the wiring diagrams it will make life easier, I can help out--but not till thurs afternoon (busy week) unless you can bring the assembly by my office, I work in AF by jack and jills bowling, so not too far from pg. ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 2:05pm
I had the same flickering issue with mine we thought the ballast was going but it ended up being the contacts where the DE bulb sits like Bob said. It was a pain to get it just right so it wouldn't flicker, I was going to replace the my sockets but at $25 a pop I made my husband figure it out instead
------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 2:15pm
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If your ballast is wired incorrectly you usually get one of two results
- no light at all because the circuit is still open - sparks or a short condition due to wires being crossed Flickering indicates something is loose and not making continous contact; if not the socket then perhaps a loose or frayed wire? ------------- - My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 2:16pm
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crazy i work just down the road from you maybe I will stop them by there is a diagram on the side. ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 4:54pm
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If it's not the contacts, it probably needs a new Capacitor. Unplug it and open up the box. The Capacitor looks like a small "can", (but not like a soup can  ). It might be metal or it might be ceramic.It's real easy to replace. Just clip the leads with a wire cutter and install a new one with wire nuts. These can be purchased at commercial electronics suppliers. There are several of those around the state. Ray-El-Co in SLC is one good place to find that kind of stuff at bargain prices. Ask here if you need more help doing it yourself. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 5:56pm
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Aro ballasts have no capacitor! They are electronic ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: sanddune600
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 8:25pm
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its not an aro ballast I gave him the option of ele aro ballast and these magnetic ballast(for a cheaper price) one of them is brand new the other one is about 1 month use sorry I didnt see this thread before I wish I had a diagram for it is there any model number or make on them I cant remember ------------- Andy Jorgensen My number is four three 5 7 six four 8 0 three four |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: September 28 2010 at 9:03pm
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we are all good people (Sorry andy your right I was so frustrated with them not working that I totally spaced that I wend for the magnetic ballasts)
Culprit: miss wiring. All is good need to go tomorrow to get wire for the other side and then I will post pictures of my awesome tank! ------------- Next meeting: |