Coralife Light Problem

[Drix]

I've got this odd problem and before I dive into all sorts of money fixing the wrong problem I thaught I'd post it here.

The problem is simple: When My Coralife Aqualight Pro turns on in the morning all is well, however, at some point in the day the compact flouresant bulbs turn themselves off even though the switch is in the "on" position.

I've taken the fixture apart looking for a loose cord or any visible signs of a short, I have found none. Any ideas what the problem may be?

Old Bulbs?
Ballast?
Gremlins?

 

[hahnmeister]

What sort of timers do you run this on?

 

[Drix]

It's all run off one Timer I baught at sears. nothing extensive at the moment, the light's on for approx. 7 hours a day

 

[da1jewfish]

are the fans working? maybe its over heating and automatically shuts off

 

[hahnmeister]

Okay, what kind if timer? A heavy duty, or a cheap indoor one? Something that many overlook is to buy a timer that is rated to handle induction ballasts... it should say 'fluorescent and HID ballast compatible' on it. OTherwise, the consequences can be severe.

 

[Drix]

It was a mid line Single plug coralife timer that times for a powerstrip that just runs the light. Theres nothing in my owners manual for the Coralife light that says you need a special timer.

The fans are working fine, the LED's work fine, the metal halide light works fine, it's *JUST* the compact flourecants that come on and turn off.

 

[Drix]

Bump? Any ideas guys?

 

[hahnmeister]

Then I would say its the ballast. There must be a capacitor somewhere in the ballast that is overloading. I wouldnt exactly doubt it... Coralife has a 'reputation' for cheap ballasts.

 

[wigman27]

Hey guys usually a problem like this is cause by your voltage is too high, maybe the ballast is bginning to short circut or as someone said the could be over heating, do they refire after a while or just stay off??

 

[Reefjunkee]

It sounds like a ballast problem to me also.Sounds as if it may be overheating and shutting off.Does it come back on after it cools down?

 

[Soxx]

Drix,
I had this problem on the Coralife 24" 150 HQI unit. My CF would come on and then go off sporaticaly. I contacted ESU(Now Central Aquatics). They were very helpful. My unit was right at a year old. They sent me a dual 65 watt ballast FREE. Popped it in and it worled like a charm! Other people have had this same CF ballast problem on these HQI units. They didn't make me jump through any hoops to get it. Try calling Central Aquatics. Ask to speak to someone on the warrenty dept. Good luck!
soxx

 

[Drix]

Thanks for the info! Called and they immediatly appologized saying I should have 2 ballasts in there and not one. And offered to send me a dual ballast as soon as possible.

A little negotation upgraded my 65W dual ballast to a 96W dual ballast so I can run full size bulbs in my fixture as well! I'm all excited about this seeing how I have a 4' tank and a 36" light.

Thanks so much!

 

[taketz]

Don't you love Reefcentral?

 

[hahnmeister]

Nice, you got an upgrade in the process too... lol. Yeah, Coralife is pretty crappy when it comes right down to it. They are not a mfg or designer even. They are merely a brand-house, and they outsource everything. Their end designs are pretty much whatever they can slap together from the cheapest vendors overseas. Their ballasts have had the worst reputation. Recently, they have been trying to 'upgrade' their look, but heck, they have been saying that for a few years now. They are using sleeker looking housings and better fans sompared to before, but in the end, they are still 'outsourcing to the lowest bidder'. Its no wonder I have something like 3 light fixtures in my basement from Coralife... all with bad ballasts.