Black Stuff Oozing out of Ballast

[racrumrine]

This morning, my son said that black stuff was oozing and dripping out of a vertically mounted Ballast for one of my 400W SE MH lights.

Sure enough, he was right. When the stuff cools, it seems like hard black plastic. I don't know how long it's been going on; but, it looks like black candle drippings.

I'm not sure what brand it is because it came with the set up when I bought it a couple of years ago. I'm going to see if I can read the label tonight.

Has anyone ever heard of a ballast leaking or oozing? If so, what could cause it. This is a first for me.

Regards,

Roy

 

[fingerwrinkles]

Roy, not good ... I'd take that ballast offline immediately to avoid any potential electrical shorts or fires (assume you've done that already). If this is one of the old tar ballasts, well then it might just be that! Otherwise, one of the fittings or insulation inside is degenerating and needs to be corrected. If you can determine the manufacturer / model and the ballast looks relatively new you might give them a ring. Otherwise, I'm sorry to say a little shopping might be in order!

 

[MrMikeB]

First: take that thing offline before it burns something up!

Does it smell like burnt plastic, as in its heating so much it melted something inside? I would say your best bet is to take it offline, let it cool, and then open it up and see where the stuff is coming from. It could be a number of things - wire insulation, black tape, etc. Whatever it is, it is not good and you could potentially be setting up for a electrical short or fire (or both).

 

[BBishop]

I had this happen to me once with a magnetic ballast. I came home and smelt smoke, only to find that my ballast was starting to melt into the carpet. Later when I opened it up I found that the capacitor and insulation inside were melting down. I replaced it with an electronic ballast. It runs cool and quite, which makes me feel a lot more comfortable.

 

[racrumrine]

Thanks for the input. We unplugged the ballast. I'll see if I can take and post a picture.

Here are the Specs for my Ballast. I have 2 of them.

Manufacturer: Hellos
Model: JLZ400WE-1
SN: 03010238
Description: HQI Electronic Ballast
Input Voltage Range: AC110V
Input Frequency: 50-60 Hz
Power Factor: >_ 0.99
THD: <_ 5%
Ambient Temp: -30~+50 Celsius
UL Labs: E199584
Made in China

Since I usually buy used equipment, I don't know if it's easy to find a better brand and swap it out; or, if I should just contact the LFS (Lucky Goldfish in Oakland) that I know the original owner used and try to get a replacement from them.

Regards,

Roy

 

[Justin74]

I think you should just contact http://www.innovativelights.com, best products at the lowest competitive price. Good guys and they'll take care of you. You could easily replace that ballast for about 50-65 bucks, or breakdown and for just around 100, you could have piece of mind knowing that your electronic ballast is not only firing the bulb to spec but you can fire any 400w bulb under the sun.

-Justin

 

[rleechb]

hey Roy -
Check your pms

 

[sfsuphysics]

You should be able to use just about any electronic ballast to replace it.

Although I've never seen an "HQI electronic" ballast, as I thought they were all capable of such, only time I've seen HQI as a prefix is for magnetic ballasts where there is a distinction.

 

[andyman]

Roy I've got a 400W Magnettic ballast you can have. Actually I got 2 of them. Its rather heavy and its just the transformer and capacitor. All you'd need is the enclosure. I've actually used these when my electronic ballast burnt up.

 

[racrumrine]

Andy:

Thanks for the offer. I sent you a PM.

Regards,

Roy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9114676#post9114676 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andyman
Roy I've got a 400W Magnettic ballast you can have. Actually I got 2 of them. Its rather heavy and its just the transformer and capacitor. All you'd need is the enclosure. I've actually used these when my electronic ballast burnt up.