help think I have a bad ballast

supertech99

supertech99

New member
hey gang,
I run 2 external 4x54w t5 light fixtures, both used. On one of them it appears as I may have a bad ballast but before I break it open I wanted to ask if I have the symptoms correct for a bad ballast. 2 of the lamps will light up and stay on but the two on the other switch will fire on then cut out immedietly. This is a finnex light so I am sure it just runs one ballast but I was wondering does this sound like one side of the ballast is blown (don't even know if that is possible) or does it sound like a short? Anyone have a 4x54w fixture laying around for under $100? I think I may have to settle for 6 lamps and hope that my corals do not turn on me in the "cloudy" conditions.
 
Change your bulbs before you go messin' around with the ballast. Old bulbs can give the symptoms youu describe.
 
Yeah, check the bulbs. Just swap the "good side" for the bad side. There should be two ballasts, I've never seen a ballast big enough to run more than 3 54w bulbs.
 
I would have to agree to change the bulbs first before ballast. Like it was mentioned above, try to move the good bulbs over to the bad side to see what happens.
 
thanks for the suggestions guys, I swapped the lamps and all four are good (they really should be they are only on their 6th month of burn, replaced all of them in january) Now its time to crack open the case! Where is a good place to buy replacement ballasts? Can I find anything local for this? If the replacement ballast is the same price as a chepo 4x54 light from aquatraders I think I may just buy a replacement. This light only has a single parabolic reflector anyway!
 
well cracked the case open and used the voltmeter that my dad gave me 10 years ago that I thought Id never use and i confirmed that there is no power comming from one of the ballasts, found a ballast online for about 30 bucks here
http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=28&FID=15&level=1
I was wondering if I could find this kind of stuff at HD or Lowes or even a electrical supply (iam in the boro) How long do you guys think i can run just 4x54w t5's on a 75 gal that is a mixed reef without issue to my sps?
 
I have no idea since this is not my expertise. You could bring it to the hardware store to ask. I would suggest ACE Hardware or a more specialty store over HomeDepot or Lowes. They don't always give out proper information.
 
Supetech,

Critter has some very good 3x54w T5 ballasts for jsut a smidge more. Sadly HD or Lowes won't have what you need.
 
I would think it would be fine for a bit. I probably wouldn't go too long. I guess it all depends on where you have the lights shining at. Probably move around the corals to where they get plenty of lights.
 
6 bulbs with decent reflectors will be more than fine for a while. I had 6 bulbs over my 90 and was able to grow whatever I wanted.
 
salt creep is most likely the culprit. clean all connections, thoroughly. rubbing alcohol should do the trick. make sure lamp assy. is unplugged. use scotchbrite "green scrubby" pad and regular household rubbing alcohol. clean all connections even where bulbs connect. it will most likely look green like mold. give it a couple of minutes to dry. test. if bulbs do not light... then disassemble lamp assy. dissconnect one wire at a time "with lamp unplugged" clean each connection. put wire nut back on or reconnect to wire terminal strip. most likely you will find a green spot. clean and reconnect. it would be best to do this to all connections as you already have it apart. when salt water evaporates it still carries some salt into your lamp assy. this is just the cost of doing business with a saltwater tank. don't let it get to you, it happens all the time. just take your time with it. from what you describe there is nothing wrong with your ballist. happy reefing.

most people are uncomfortable working with electricity. you will not be as the lamp will be unplugged.:)

this is not a difficult operation. just a little time consuming. would be happy to do it for you if you lived nextdoor to me. take me about 20 min max. 15 if using a cordless drill and was all the same type of screw. it may take you longer. but the next time it won't take quite so long as you will have done it before. if you use a little bulb grease on the connections it won't happen for a very long time. i myself dont use grease as it could theoreticly drip into your tank. just a little diy heads up. not a diy king or anything. just know a few things about a few things. good luck.
 
Last edited:
supertech99 said:
is this really a 8 lamp t5ho fixture!
http://www.lightingwise.com/item.asp?PID=6&FID=1&level=0
can we use these for our tanks, assuming I get individual reflectors!?
Click to expand...

i reccomend not buying a lamp. if you go to your local dump or scrapyard there will be lamps everywhere. they may not be aquarium fixtures. this doesnt mean they cant be used as one. i have salvaged many sweet gems from the dump. no cost to me at all. even good bulbs and ballist's. you may not have a dump or scrapyard next door but i'm willing to bet there is one close by. it all depends on your comfort level on diy'ing. if you find one and don't feel comfortabe working on it. bring it with to the next meeting. i plan on attending. i will bring a cordless drill with me. no sweat. no cost is an awsome thing. i really enjoy it. zero dollers zero cents. makes cents 2 me. lol. good luck again.:reading:
 
supertech99 said:
well cracked the case open and used the voltmeter that my dad gave me 10 years ago that I thought Id never use and i confirmed that there is no power comming from one of the ballasts, found a ballast online for about 30 bucks here
http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=28&FID=15&level=1
I was wondering if I could find this kind of stuff at HD or Lowes or even a electrical supply (iam in the boro) How long do you guys think i can run just 4x54w t5's on a 75 gal that is a mixed reef without issue to my sps?
Click to expand...

fowlr2reef should really read entire thread before typing.... lol:spin2: ballist free at dump...
 
fowlr2reef brings up a VERY good point, I sold a fellow reefer a light that I thought had a bad ballast, it was doing nearly the same thing as this light. He said he pulled the endcaps, cleaned and buffed them, and everything is good again.
 
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