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RockStarFish 
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 Topic: What capacitor do I need?
Posted: January 10 2011 at 4:14am |
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I have a Aqua Medic 250 w ballast that took a turn for the worst. I am not an electrician and don't feel comfortable putting just any capacitor in the casing. I have looked online and found tons of them. They have all kinds of mumbo jumbo numbers,+'s,-'s this and that.
I am wondering if there are a few of you out there (or just one) that is good at this kinda thing. I need, what I believe to be is a capacitor for a 250w AuaMedic Ocean Light 250 to replace the one that melted. Does anyone know how to decode the hieroglyphics on the ballast and capacitor so you can tell me what numbers and symbols need to match up or what is what. I appreciate your help and hope it's not to complicated.
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Mike Sanches
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kethomps
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 1:33pm |
Is your current ballast for an HQI bulb? If so, I have an AM ballast reasonable priced. It was used on a 6 foot 3x250w HQI with t5's. Gives you expandability too 
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210g sw fish
West Jordan
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Nick801
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 1:38pm |
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Hey Mike I know the aquarium has the capacitor your looking for
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RockStarFish
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 3:28pm |
I just called them and as allways, they don't have it. They said the could order it and it would be here possibly by fri. . I quickly declined the offer. I have had very bad experiences with them and ordering things, prices are way to high, waiting just as long for shipping and finding out it was not on the order or never got put in the order. Sorry I'm getting side traced. Anyway I just called them to see and they would have to order it. They want 32bucks for it  !!!! I was also told that there was only one brand that will work for it. BS? Looking them up and finding them for $10-25 I have to find out if that is true. Does anyone have any info on that?
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Mike Sanches
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tileman
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 4:34pm |
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Try Shawn at Aquatica. He is or used to be an aqua medic supplier.
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335G Reef
TOTM.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium
ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month
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swiftra
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 5:23pm |
Can you post a pic of the cap? Lots of times the part numbers are right on them, but reading them after a melt down is another story.  Probably a pic of the ballast also if you can. Or another option take the ballast and the cap into a electrical parts place like Royal Wholesale or Codell and they could probably find something that will work.
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If you make it idiot proof, someone will find a better idiot!
Well 100g crashed when I moved it. Starting a 50g cube now.
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AquariumGuy
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 5:24pm |
Mike
You spoke with me on the phone. Sorry if I upset you with
our pricing on this part for your light. Like you I am no electrician. But can guarantee
that the aqua medic part will work with your light. I would hate to say other
parts would work with out knowing and have something like a fire start because I
recommended the wrong part. That is why I said I could not be sure if other capacitor
will work with your unit. As far as pricing goes I will give up this info for
your sake. We pay 22.50 from aqua medic for those capacitor plus shipping cost
me about 27.00 each. We try to make 10 bucks off it. So 37.99 is inline for us.
If you can find the same exact part for cheaper locally we would always match
it.
Its my last week at The Aquarium so if you want let me know
and I will get it to you at 32.99. for your troubles. “As long as aqua medic
has itâ€. Otherwise talk to brad and I am
sure he would be glad to help. Mike Weddick
Edited by AquariumGuy - January 10 2011 at 5:44pm
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�A black belt only covers two inches of your ass. You have to cover the rest.� - Royce Gracie
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 5:24pm |
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Call me and I'll help you get what you need for about $10 today.
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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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SGH360
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Posted: January 10 2011 at 5:47pm |
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The aquarium does have high prices. But then again the store is amazing, i never seen a store that big dedicated to the aquarium business. Luxury has it price
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laynframe
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Posted: January 11 2011 at 7:41pm |
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Get me a picture of the cap and the labeling and I can help you!
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The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!!
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RockStarFish
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Posted: January 12 2011 at 12:26pm |
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thanks for your responses. I don't have a camera to take a pic. which would make it a little easier because it is all easy to read. I understand the aquarium needs to make money because they will be paying for that store for ages.I also think $27 for shipping is BS. Maybe for a ballast and all but come on. This is not for a ballast that is set up or anything so I am not in a huge hurry. I am going to get a pic up to make it easier.
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Mike Sanches
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: January 12 2011 at 11:17pm |
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Mike, like I said before, if you just call me I could have helped you resolve this in an instant that day. I might even have the capacitor you need and would be happy to fix your light for you, no charge, just bring it over.
The Capacitor you need is 15 MFD (micro farad) rated for 250 or 400 VAC. The MFD symbol is best described as a small "u" with a tail on the left side.
This Capacitor is easy to buy at Ra-Elco, a specialty Radio-Electronics store that has been around forever. They have all kinds of used parts. The last time I needed a capacitor it was only ~$10 there, but I actually went to another place and got what I needed for $2.50. Have you heard of NPS? I found Capacitors there for 50 cents each! I had to combine them to get the MFD value I needed, but it was sooo nice to pay $2.50 instead of $30 or more through the hobbyist stores.
Ra-Elco
2780 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801) 487-7749
Edited by Mark Peterson - January 12 2011 at 11:22pm
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laynframe
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Posted: January 16 2011 at 7:40pm |
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I have a 15 uf on my work truck !
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The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!!
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