Giesemann Lighting Club.

[SecondLife]

Looks like I am stuck between 2 worlds with my Giesemann Spectra. This was made a few years back when Giesemann would provide "combo ballasts" with the T5 and MH both inside the same ballast. . So I have a 2 x 250MH + 4 x54w T5's, each ballast housing one MH and 2 -54w t-5's. When one of the 25w MH went out Coral Vue sent a seperate THIRD ballast to run one of the 50w MH, and they never did tell me how to hook it up, but the updated configuation would have 3 ballasts - the one original 250w + 2 x54 t-5, then the partially broken ballast which I'd keep for the other 2 - t-5's, them a third ballast to run the other 250w mh. I tied loading a photo of the old ballast here, which I hope uploaded but do not know if it did.

Bottom line is I am not thrilled with having to run my light this way and wondering if any Giesemann veterans would know if that combo ballast is repairable. I 'd happily pay a proper fee to get my light retored to its original configuation, either by repair or if someone here would just so happen to have one of these ballasts for sale.HELP!!!!......Ron:headwally::hmm5::hmm4:

 

[moondoggy4]

You will have to do a search but I remember someone opening up your type ballast.

 

[SecondLife]

So far no luck. Their solution WOULD HAVE ME RUNNING ONE OF THE old ballasts as previously used, then use the partially working ballast for my other set of T-5's, then add a 250MH ballast to light up the second 250MH, which all seems pretty tacky to me and just not at all what I would expect from a high end company like Giesemann :furious:

 

[SecondLife]

BTW Moondoggy a big thank you for finding the solution to the last issue I posted here! Aquatic warehouse had the pre- Apex Waveline controller I was searching EVERYWHERE for.

 

[moondoggy4]

I did a little research

I did a little research

Here is the thread on re wiring your Giesemann light thanks JL

I hope this helps.:beer:

 

[moondoggy4]

I did a little research

I did a little research

Here is the thread on re wiring your Giesemann light thanks JL

I hope this helps.:beer:


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=953202

I hope it works this time.:uzi:

 

[SecondLife]

I am not what you would call knowledgeable when it comes to electrical matters. I am a bit surprised that so far nobody else has stepped forward with a similar experience, but at the very least I am coming to believe I have a repairable component in my possession, which to me is half the battle. Now the other - harder - half is to find someone with the knowledge and the willingness to take on the job, and I AM WILLING TO PAY if somebody out there wants to take a crack at it.I wish to point out again the T-5's are fine, the 250 MH will not fire. . Really SUPER of you to dig this up for me Moondoggy, hopefully some day I can return the favor.....Ron:reading::reading::headwally:

 

[moondoggy4]

Look on image #5 from the link you see those connectors a 4way and 6 way that is what failed on my infinity they can be found at any hardware store they come in a 12 way strip you break off what you need.just unscrew and insert wire and then tighten back up. I hope this helps

 

[SecondLife]

Is that the ballast or the fixture in photo #5? I have no friggin idea of the language he/she is using,:headwally: but the replacement procedure as you describe does appear to be within my limited - make that VERY limited - capabilities!:beer:

 

[moondoggy4]

That is what your ballast looks like without the cover. Unplug it before you open it. Those little squares have fuses built in them, no fuse no light.

 

[SecondLife]

I will pop the cover and head for Lowes in the next couple days. It'd reallt be something if the fix turns out to be this simple . . More will be revealed!

 

[SecondLife]

Well I tried my best with the info you gave me but the problem apparently lies elsewhere. My ballast has a different configuration as well as a totally different appearance with the cover off (see pix) They sprayed some kind black coating over everythingthat will not help if this is to be repaired. One of the capacitors has that burnt electrical small to it but i have no idea how to work with this things and as sted , whatever they sprayed over everything is not going to help the situation..

I gotta say I am feeling a bit disappointed, as I was REALLY feeling it that what you suggested would solve the problem. I still thank you VERY much for taking the time to care Moondoggy. I owe you a beer, maybe even a brewery. I need to find an electrical person who can work with small components....Ron

 

[SecondLife]

Forgot the pix

 

[moondoggy4]

Which one has the burnt capacitor?


https://lifehacks.stackexchange.com...al-current-through-bare-wires-without-a-meter Try using one of these put it in each end of the connectors. Yeah my professional electrician did not have one, go figure.

 

[SecondLife]

PM sent

 

[Voodoojar]

I love my Spectra, for me MH/t5 is the only way to grow corals but the limited control stinks. I decided to supplement my Spectra for a bit more light and a lot more control. I really wanted some dimming as well as the color pop of blue LED for evening viewing. So on top of the 2, 250w Radium and 4, ATI Super Actinic I've added 2, ReefBrite XHO Blue and 1, AI Hydra 26 HD.

I know this much light is completely unnecessary and potentially dangerous but I'm really enjoying experimenting with ramping schedules and acclimating my tank to the new lights. I'll never run them all at once at full blast but with them all turned to max they put out more than 1000 PAR at the center of the tank on the water's surface.

 

[Voodoojar]

I love my Spectra, for me MH/t5 is the only way to grow corals but the limited control stinks. I decided to supplement my Spectra for a bit more light and a lot more control. I really wanted some dimming as well as the color pop of blue LED for evening viewing. So on top of the 2, 250w Radium and 4, ATI Super Actinic I've added 2, ReefBrite XHO Blue and 1, AI Hydra 26 HD.

I know this much light is completely unnecessary and potentially dangerous but I'm really enjoying experimenting with ramping schedules and acclimating my tank to the new lights. I'll never run them all at once at full blast but with them all turned to max they put out more than 1000 PAR at the center of the tank on the water's surface.

 

[ReefCowboy]

It might at first seem like you have way too much light, but the cool thing is you have a unit to offer all needed for all tastes.
I absolutelly love the Spectra, if they redesigned that unit with blue leds outside of the MH's instead of the T5's, it would be the best thing out there.
You pop in 2x 250w radiums and corals are covered, no worries needed as things will grow and color up. The leds are nice to give the missing pop and dusk/dawn.

 

[choss]

I love it! I am planning on running my spectra with two Kessil's for similar reasons. Haven't started my build yet but soon! I'd love to see how your tank looks with LEDs only running.

 

[Joe0813]

Anyone running the Auroras ? thinking about pulling the trigger and getting rid of my Radions