Anyone using these lights?

Long time listener, first time poster.

I thought the photo showed that some of the internal components are from Germany? (aka the thing that fried)
I work for a company that makes stuff in Germany, and believe me, that their stuff fails just are regularly as everything else in the free world.

Also, you can't just go around saying that everything made in China is a piece...
10 years ago, sure. Today - Absolutely not.

I'm not sure how to feel about BWilfong's experience.
You know, my neighbor's house burnt down and they put a much better one up to replace it. It was the UL listed Mr. Coffee maker. Damn that Mr. Coffee

I'm also pretty sure, but was this thing UL listed?
 
Well, don't be too sure, because these are NOT tested nor approved by anyone. UL, CL, TUV, CSA, etc.

No evidence anywhere that lights made anywhere but China are experiencing catastrophic failure like this. If there is, please back-up your assertion with a link or two.

No prior assertions that "everything made in China is a piece... "

All evidence seems to point to the fact these are cheap, Chinese, pieces of ...
 
I do not have data on other manufacturers performance.
I was just sort of stating a law of nature.
Electronics fail, often in unusual and unexpected (honestly sometimes unexplainable) ways.
I have a little experience with the electronic repair.

Here is a link that discusses the hazards associated with fluorescent lighting and the associated electronics.
Basic summary is:
High turn on voltage.
Ballast to control.
Protection is there, but nothing is 100%

http://nemesis.lonestar.org/reference/electricity/fluorescent/safety.html

I read through the entire 30+ pages. There was some concern of the quality in general of products from China. The gains in quality of manufacturing on the mainland is incredible. They can meet the same spec's for a fraction of the price. Maybe expoitation of the worker, but the quality is there.

Anyhow, I'm also prabably a little defensive, cause I just ordered one of these badboys and I want it to work out really bad!!!:D

If nobody can confirm if this is UL listed, then i will let you know. I will also inspect the electronics to determine if they would pass UL, or CSA.

I bought the 48" 542W light.
 
Why do I always do research afterI buy an item online??? :worried: :worried:

A few years ago I bought a Jebo 48" pc fixture & had no problems with it until I dropped it in the tank & fried the ballast (at which time I change out the bulbs for better ones & swapped in a Workhorse ballast). I just purchased a 2006 48" Odyssea 260W pc fixture from a company that has been in business many years.

After reading this thread & others I will definitely open it up & check things out, but from what I've read so far it seems to be the MH fixtures that go up in smoke, am I right?
 
Mine is up 3 months now with no problems whatsoever. The ballast gets somewhat hot but nothing that I cant touch with my hand.

Tim
 
I got my 48" PC/MH from 6th Avenue Aquarium in SF - they are a controversial store because of the way they stock their animals and such.

I have had no problems with the lights themselves - infact I'm very happy with them for now - I do plan to upgrade in the future, but this is a great start.

I would not have ordered from Aquatraders - their business practises are questionable - but at least at 6th Avenue, I can go in and hound them if something did go wrong, plus they will exchange equipment as they have do for me in the past (not around these lights thought).

I'm not sure what the deal is on the plugs and stuff, mine has a ballast for the PC and it's own switch - a balast for the MH and Moonlights, each with their own plugs and switches. I have it all plugged into a power converter/protector/timer that is well grounded and both ballasts are far from the tank. PCs go in one timer, MH go in another - and I just turn my Moonlights on for the 3 days of the full moon.

As far as lights - I do plan on switching out the lights that came with it for better quality, but my corals love the light and it is too intense for my mushrooms and polyps.

I will agree the placement of the PC seems wastefull though.

But I think these light are a good deal for a beginner - start-up tanks - smaller tanks - etc. until one can afford an upgrade.

If I ever have any problems though - I will repost here
 
Received the lights 5 days after I placed the order.
Based on the experience noted on this board, I opened the ballast and had to tighten up the nuts on the capacitors.
(One had completely come off during shipment).
Looks like different components compared to the early pictures in this thread.

I'm feeling pretty good about the purchase right now.
 
I got my 48" 260W fixture yesterday. I'm pretty happy so far. I have had two of the earlier JEBO models & can say this is a definite improvement. I will probably change out the bulbs but the 3 switches, 3 cords, LED moonlights (they also shipped me 4 extra moonilights) & cooling fans are a definite deal for $109. (ebay) Hope it holds up. I don't think I need MH as 5 watts per gallon should do just fine.
 
I ordered a 24" Jebo Odysea 130w CF setup off of ebay.
It came well packed. Nothing loose/broken/missing.
My only issue with the unit, is that, it's 24" long..I have a 20H tank (24" long), and the front runners for the legs don't have a groove long enough like the back ones do, to make a secure connection in the front.

That being said, it still sits/tilts perfectly. I like it. $75 well spent, and a superb upgrade over my single 18" 15w old light.
 
Mine went up in smoke

Mine went up in smoke

I bought a 48" 542W MH setup. ran for about 5 months, then yesterday I got called home from work because of my place being full of smoke and a horrible burnt smell.
Same as the rest of the stories, blown capacitor.
Im no electronic wiz but im pretty sure it was'nt supposed to do this.
My ballast was sitting well ventilated.

I wrote them, twice now. All day their phone number has been "busy".

Has anyone had any luck getting a refund or anything at all? I would hate to get a replacement. I just would'nt trust it, and im sure my wife would say over her dead body.

I am running a Coralife 4x65W PC hood for my sps at the moment :( I really do not like this company right now.......

If I lived near them...... :uzi: :blown: :hammer:

my site
 
Actually I bought it seven months and eight days before it got engulfed in flames. Aquatraders wrote me to let me know that up till seven months they can give a refund :mad2:

But they are willing to ship me a new capacitor......So I can do what? Have another shot at burning down my home.....

My site
 
hi i purchased a 384 W 150 HQI X 2 T5x4... unit off ebay.. My question for everyone is how has your FIXTURE held up?? I know the ballasts can burn up and out, at least in 05-06 models.. But, I purchased a Blue Wave VII dual 150W ballast awhile back to power a MOD I was planning for my CS 48" Orbit fixture..

So my idea was to use the UL listed blue wave VII to power the fixture and upgrade the low output T5bulbs with HO bulbs and ballasts that are UL listed, but do it DIY.... So I will have a nice HO T5 unit with HQI... I will leave TWO T5 bulbs in the unit at O3 Actinic. and then two 10k bulbs for supplimental daylight (dont run HQI all day)

I also plan on changing out the HQI to 14k with new bulbs.. Basically I will most likley just throw out the ballast that comes with this light.. not worth the risk... As for me.. Im hoping to put the new HO T5 ballasts into the BWVII.. Not sure if the T5 will fit in there too, im hoping they will

What im betting on is that this FIXTURE is SAFE its just the BALLASTS that have been melting down (capacitors) I hope its a good bet.. Not sure if anyone has had THE FIXTURE burn up, I dont think so. But if so please post a reply.

This way I have UL listed ballasts running the light, for the T5 and the HQI.. so I can sleep at night knowing the ballast aint gonna fry..(i hope) I was told by AquaTraders that the new versions had addressed this issue.. Not sure If I buy that.. but since I already have the high end ballast.. why take a chance?

what you guys think of this idea? The fixture sounds pretty well built.. I just got an Orbit Extreme and this thing is flimsy and its a name brand too.. will say though , that it puts out some serious light with the T5s.. Noticably different thany my old PCs.
 
This company is such a bunch of, well I needn't comment. The thread speaks for itself. Anyone who reads this thread and still asks if they should buy the lighting has much bigger issues than which lighting to buy:D
 
Thanks for the feedback on the fixture.. Cant be much worse than this flimsy Orbit Extreme. I just got From Current USA? My PC Orbit from CSL was so much better built? Oh well might pillage this extreme for the T5s and the HO ballast to use with this Odyssea fixture.

I heard good things about the build of the fixture. on these lights..cant be that bad? thats my main concern the fixture.. I will throw that ballast away.. I dont trust it no matter what they tell me at AT..

I will be interested to see about the reflectors (cut yousay?) do the T5s have individual reflectors in these lights? I guess they probably dont..

Seems like some people have had success with them and the only problems with fires what I read were the ballasts (capacitors) Running a BW7 should power them nicely and safely... Change out all the T5s to HO T5s and change out the HQI bulbs to 14k whatevers, and I think i will have a pretty safe nice lite for about 350.00$?

Either way I will post something after it arrives tomorrow.. hahaha.. Turns out the Guy lived a few minutes away. didnt realize it until after he shipped it.. :( and I paid UPS 60 bux to deliver it 5 miles to my house.. and the BULK of that delivery is for the crappy ballast? Well in reality my VAN would burn 20$ to get there.. so its only 40 more dollars? ahhahahhahahha

Oh well I hope it arrives in one piece, that is my main concern but its only going 5 miles so I feel good about that...

Either way, I will post my opinion of it tomm As for the ballasts?

I can use the ballast to hold open my porch door.. or something where fire wont be an issue.. Or I could use it to light my Gas grill, and or take it on a survival trip to start camp fires with it, or heat my house with it.. or ... hahahahha
 
Well BMonkey. you are kinda stuck seeing as you already paid for the fixture but there is a lot more than ballasts to be concerned about with lighting.

Good lamps and reflectors are important as well. By the time you get through paying for a decent ballast and lamps you would have been better off getting a fixture from a reputable company. Hope it works out for you.
 
well thank for the good wishes, I will report back on the quality I find in the fixture itself after it arrives today

In my case Its a bit unusual since I ALREADY had a BWVII dual ballast sitting around doing nothing which I paid for about 6 mos ago. So its hard to justify paying 700-900$ for a comperable fixture and another ballast etc... I have found Most lighting companies want to sell you the whole show anyways.. not just the fixture..

I also have HO T5 ballasts and bulbs from my current Orbit extreme (which is basically a crap fixture as I said) which I can use.. to upgrade the lighting at no more cost. And even If I kept the orbit for say another tank.. I could get more ballasts and bulbs no problem. A good HO t5 ballast is pretty cheap if i remember so thats not a huge issue. Bulbs are also affordable. Besides you eventually have to replace all the bulbs anyways? hahahah

So really in my case now it comes down to the HQI bulbs/reflectors. The Bulbs I know are crap from what I hear, but doesnt matter to me.. since they are "free?" ahhaha I already plan on replace the HQI anyways for 24$ ea.. (ebay) for 14K (i like the blue look of these) As for the HQI and t5 reflectors.. Not sure about the quality there, but will probably be OK...

Im not really counting on the T5 reflectors being that great either (single for each bulb) And I KNOW from reading the TEK upgrades are REALLY nice.. btw... Increases output of t5 GREATLY...

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/aquarium/products/t5reflectcomparo.shtml

But even those could be upgraded If needed. But the plan is to use them for ACTINIC and supplimental 10k so they arent THAT critical... I dont want to run my HQI all day $$$$.. hahahah

All and all I would still come out cheaper than buying a full TEK light or something..or even a Current fixture.. That is if the fixture itself turns out to be pretty sturdy. Gota be better than this EXTREME? hahahah
 
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