bone-headed move

[Xubar]

Well, on the bright side I'm getting new lights in the mail today, but on the down-side I think I may have blown a ballast last night getting ready for them.

I was unplugging wires to my current retro t5's so I could take the canopy off. I was distracted and unplugged the t5's over my fuge as well. I had all the wires out, then realized what I did. I didn't need to unplug them, as they're not mounted in the canopy, so I was going to plug them right back in. I have 2 ballasts running 2 bulbs each over my fuge. I plugged the 6 wires into the first ballast with no problem, but when I plugged the first wire into the 2nd ballast, there was a loud 'pop' accompanied by a spark. It tripped my gfci, but before I turned it back on, I plugged in the rest of the wires. Only 2 of the 4 bulbs work now. It was late, so I left it and haven't looked at it anymore yet.

What exactly happened here?

 

[Aquarist007]

Re: bone-headed move

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13107741#post13107741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Xubar
Well, on the bright side I'm getting new lights in the mail today, but on the down-side I think I may have blown a ballast last night getting ready for them.

I was unplugging wires to my current retro t5's so I could take the canopy off. I was distracted and unplugged the t5's over my fuge as well. I had all the wires out, then realized what I did. I didn't need to unplug them, as they're not mounted in the canopy, so I was going to plug them right back in. I have 2 ballasts running 2 bulbs each over my fuge. I plugged the 6 wires into the first ballast with no problem, but when I plugged the first wire into the 2nd ballast, there was a loud 'pop' accompanied by a spark. It tripped my gfci, but before I turned it back on, I plugged in the rest of the wires. Only 2 of the 4 bulbs work now. It was late, so I left it and haven't looked at it anymore yet.

What exactly happened here?

the littlest bit of salt water or salt creep will do that

 

[Xubar]

So do you think the ballast is blown? Or should I unplug it, take the wires out, re-put them in and plug it in? Guess I'm wondering if there are any suggestions on where to go from here to see if anything was ruined from it.

 

[Cheetos&Cocopuf]

Check for a blown fuse on the ballast. Simple things first.

 

[Xubar]

Good idea.

This is the ballast I have, guess I'll take the cover off and search for a fuse.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13107902#post13107902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cheetos&Cocopuf
Check for a blown fuse on the ballast. Simple things first.

I would take a blow dryer to any wires, plugs or receptacles.