PFO Ballast Not Working

[Rovert]

I have a PFO 2x250 HQI Ballast that just decided not to work. Neither side will ignite. Can someone help me diagnose? Under normal circumstances, I'd take the case cover off and poke around, but I'm a bit hesitant until I get a second opinion and some assurance I won't zap myself.

Thanks!

 

[grigsy]

Does it have a switch on it?

If it does, I bet the issue is that the switch burned out and as a result both ballasts are not coming on.

You can always try a new switch or wire around the switch itself and directly to the ballasts.

May be a quick and easy fix if is just the switch.

 

[tkeracer619]

Yea afaik they are two independent ballasts inside one case. Odds are its the switch. Open it up and just don't short the cap.

 

[Rovert]

Yes, you're both correct - two switches, one for each side. What worries me is that I was using an X10 for the on/off so the switches haven't been in use much.

Anything else I ought to be looking for while I'm in there? Anything to stay away from, like huge capacitors that can fry my fingers off or stop my heart?

 

[cordell]

One of my switches broke in the off position on my dual pfo ballast a while back. I took the end of the case off that has the switches. I believe it is just 4 screws... And possibly one more on the side, I can't remember for sure.

That will allow you to take a look at the switches. The wires into the switches were pretty short, so you might not have much to work with, but I was able to bypass the switch and just wire the power from the power cord straight into the ballasts so that one is always on.

I use timers anyways, so the switches never get used.

If you know how to look at a switch and the lines and determine which to connect together to bypass, then try that first. If you are unsure how to do that, then get some help so you don't get shocked or worse!

Btw, the stuck switch looked fine on the outside, so don't expect to be able to look at it and tell if it is bad.

 

[tkeracer619]

If there are two switches I doubt that is it. Have you plugged it straight into the wall?

 

[tkeracer619]

You only need to worry about the caps. Not a big deal just don't be careless.

 

[Rovert]

If there are two switches I doubt that is it. Have you plugged it straight into the wall?

Yes, of course. First step in the diagnostic - process of elimination. Tried both sides, neither work. One thing I thought was strange is that the plug from the unused side (I'm only using one lamp at the moment) sparked when it came into contact with the case the other day. IOW, I had one side plugged on, the inactive side contacted the case. That suggests a short to me, but why now, after all this time?

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