WMAS Discussion Forum : Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:03:08 +0000 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:41:30 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=36541 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : Well at least you figured it out....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324172&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324172 Author: Jeffs_little_ocean
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 1:41pm

Well at least you figured it out. Funny, when I got into this hobby, I had no idea I was going to hafta become an electrician, a plumber, and a chemist!

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:41:30 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324172&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324172 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : figured out the problem. it was...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324163&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324163 Author: downhill_biker
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 12:39pm

figured out the problem. it was the controller. the first plug is wacked out and not working properly. when i opened the ballast i unplugged them, and when i plugged them back in i guess i switched plugs. that is why the one firing changed. i guess i will be contacting neptune to see why this dc8 is shorting out.]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:39:07 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324163&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324163 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : might be the starter, on my bluewave...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324158&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324158 Author: dew2loud1
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 12:14pm

might be the starter, on my bluewave one light doesn't come on but if i switch the cord it will fire the bulb that was already warmed up and they both work...I think the pfo has the ballast/capaciter/starter setup as well

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:14:01 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324158&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324158 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : that is strange. I think you should...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324151&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324151 Author: chk4tix
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 11:25am

that is strange.  I think you should just turn them off for 20-30 and then see what happens.  ]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:25:51 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324151&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324151 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : It is hardwired the whole way,...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324146&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324146 Author: downhill_biker
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 11:10am

It is hardwired the whole way, no plugs all the way from the socket to the internals of the ballast. I opened the ballast just to look, and everything looked fine. Put it back together and now the other bulb is firing, and the one that was firing before, is no longer firing...this has to by symptoms for something...]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:10:45 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324146&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324146 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : I would check the wiring from...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324145&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324145 Author: chk4tix
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 11:05am

I would check the wiring from the ballast to the bulbs first. If nothing is found, then try the ballast.  For safety sake, you dont want to just jump right to the ballast because if I remember correctly they store some power and it takes a little time to bleed off.]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:05:03 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324145&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324145 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : yes its a retro fixture. 2 lumenmax...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324144&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324144 Author: downhill_biker
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 11:00am

yes its a retro fixture. 2 lumenmax XL reflectors, dual pfo pulse start 400w, and radium 20k bulbs. i guess i will take apart the ballast and make sure the wiring looks good.

Edited by downhill_biker - November 17 2009 at 11:01am]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:33 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324144&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324144 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : downhill_biker wrote:turns...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324142&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324142 Author: chk4tix
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 10:58am

Originally posted by downhill_biker downhill_biker wrote:

turns out they were off, so i turned them on, they both fired! then the one that didn't fire before turned back off...Cry


sounds like a short or some kind.  Is it a retro or a fixture?
]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:58:05 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324142&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324142 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : turns out they were off, so i...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324141&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324141 Author: downhill_biker
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 10:56am

turns out they were off, so i turned them on, they both fired! then the one that didn't fire before turned back off...Cry]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:56:41 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324141&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324141 <![CDATA[Lighting HELP (bad ballast?) : cool. i will do, lets hope that...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324140&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324140 Author: downhill_biker
Subject: 36541
Posted: November 17 2009 at 10:55am

cool. i will do, lets hope that the problem goes away for now.

then i can figure out what the real problem is and order a part.
]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:55:08 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36541&PID=324140&title=lighting-help-bad-ballast#324140