Current USA Ballast problem?

[ken123]

I have an Outer Orbit 2x150w HQI & 2x130w fixture. One of the 130w bulbs is not working. Have brand new bulbs. I swapped the bulbs and no matter what the one ballast does not seem to work. The ballast is a Current AFP120-1/125PLL. A Google search only came up with 2 hits. Only one site Google serach had a price.

Is there something that can be done with the ballast or is the sort of thing to just replace it and be done with it?

 

[DarG]

If it's under warranty, Current USA will likely get you the part.

If not, any ballast that will drive that PC bulb will work as long as it will fit inside the fixture.

http://www.sunpkco.com/catalog/prod...=1022&osCsid=0f5b8480ba6caa60b3694b9e56bfdeb1

Current USA uses Sunpark ballasts wherever possible.
I would email Sunpark about the ballast and see if they will sell direct. It is much cheaper direct than having one of their parts suppliers (like Marine and Reef) sell it to you.

Sunpark does sell some of their ballasts in an online store on their website. They will probably sell you the one you need directly if you call or email.

I doubt anyone will bother fixing it, you can get an equivalent PC ballast for cheap. Just replace it.

 

[Bygkid]

I found this place when I needed to reorder for my Current USA Sunpod.

http://www.webaquatics.com/

 

[ken123]

Thanks guys, will try Sunpark first then Webaquatics. Looks like the price is around $35.00.

 

[DarG]

One of the online retailers that is an authorized parts dealer for Current sells the 150 watt electronic metal halide ballast for $144. Sunpark sells it directly for $65.
That same dealer sells your ballast for $40, it's a safe bet that it's half that or less from Sunpark. Again, if they will sell it directly to you.

Marine and Reef is the authorized parts dealer I am referring to. I believe that Marine Depot is another one.

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_CurrentParts.html

 

[ken123]

NICE!!

NICE!!

FYI. Just ordered the ballast from Sunpark Electronics over the phone. The ballast was $18.00 and $11.00 for shipping UPS ground. Not bad for only $29.00! Now let's see if I get it in a timely manner, should get it around next Monday or so.

 

[DarG]

There you go. The shipping kinda kills a great deal but still alot cheaper than the authorized dealer and their mark-up and then shipping on top of it. Not bad at all.

 

[ken123]

Success

Success

:thumbsup: Ordered the ballast Monday, arrived Friday. Installed it today, after a few errors, problems, got it installed OK. Works fine now!

I was running on one actinic bulb for a while. All this time I thought it was the bulb, but it was the ballast. Both bulbs were due to get replaced anyway. But during this time, I have a Frogspawn, and it seems not to extend itself out like it use to. And it turned white. Also have some Zoa's, they are sort of staying all curled up and not extending out like they use to. That's all I have for corals. Think it could be from not getting enough and the proper wavelength light? My lights have been needing this attention for a while. What do you think? Will they come back?

 

[hndakd]

could be that the corals arent used to the amount of light that they are getting now. i would lower the time that the lights are on. the frogspawn is bleaching.

 

[ken123]

Bleaching? The lights have not been working properly the last few weeks. Sometimes they would not come on at all. What would be the result to the frogspawn if it was constantly getting not enough light?

 

[DarG]

If the PC's are your sole source of light and IF everything was thriving when the PC's were new and were all working ...

Not enough light for photsynthesis and they also lose color so I think it's a good bet that you didnt have enough lighting with the old PC's and with one of them out. Assuming of course that all other parameters are good. Keep an eye on things now that you have the lights working, see if it looks like everything is rebounding and if so, you will know it was the lighting (as long as nothing is too far gone).

 

[ken123]

OK, gotcha!! I thought the bleaching would have been from way too much light. I understand now what you are saying.

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11015491#post11015491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ken123
OK, gotcha!! I thought the bleaching would have been from way too much light. I understand now what you are saying.

'hndakd' suggested bleaching. Bleaching is associated with too much light, you are correct. I never suspected bleaching. I was just pointing out that not enough light will cause corals to lose color. I think that hndakd thought that you were having issues AFTER getting both lights back up and running, not because you lost a PC bulb and the other was old.

Anyway, glad that Sunpark sold you the ballast directly and you saved some money. Always great to save some money in this seemingly bottomless pit of a hobby.