repairing a ballast

[WILDTHING]

I was trying to rehang my 150DE lights and I dropped them in my tank instead, luckily since they have glass on them they floated long enough for me to unplug them from the ballast. (bluewave by sunlight supply) I did not realize that you can't keep the ballast plugged in after you unplug the lights from them SO one side is blown or something (i smelled something sweet burning)anyway its not working. Anyone know where I could get them repaired? Its way to heavy to consider sending them someplace so it needs to be local.

colleen

 

[ade]

Sound like you have blown a cap. You can go to most Electrical Supplies and buy a new one for as little as $10.00. Most ballasts you can replace without any problem.

 

[WILDTHING]

Oh, a simple fix/inexpensive fix like that would be great. I'll be taking it apart later and I'll post my findings. Hope its obvious because I have NO clue what "normal" would look like.lol
colleen

 

[ade]

The cap looks like a D battery usually it's black. If it blown you can see it. How many light's does tha ballast fire? if there is more than one then you should see a good cap in the mix. When I changed caps in my 3 x 175 ballast I replaced all three.
You should be able to get one at Grainger.
Ade

 

[WILDTHING]

It fires 2. I know one works still because I plugged it in and it fired both lights. Since they were both unplugged for the same amount of time do you think it would be prudent to change both just in case?

Don't think I have a Grainger here but we do have a lighting store where all the electricians shop. I'm guessing they should have parts.

 

[ade]

If one out of two works, my guess is it's the cap.
Yes any good Electrical store should be able to get you what you need, even if they don't stock it they should be able to order the part you want.

 

[WILDTHING]

ok, I'll let you know what I see when I open it up.

BTW how did you do game night? Did you clean them out?

 

[ade]

For my first time playing real poker I came out in the + side. It was a blast. It was all luck or beer for me IMO.

 

[WILDTHING]

:lol: :lol: good for you esp since it sounds like there were some guys who played regularly. Wish I could have made it but its a long drive home for me.

colleen

 

[WILDTHING]

opened it up, I don't see anything that looks bad do you?

 

[ade]

It looks like the caps have been replaced at one time or another. It could be the pic. Did you buy it new or used? If used can you call the person who you got it from and ask if the caps are new. Can you switch the caps from the side that works to the side that dosen't? To see if it is the caps. Any smell of burnt on anything?

 

[WILDTHING]

I got it from dooleb, I'm sure if it had been repaired he would have mentioned it. Boris will bring home his insulated tools tonight and try switching them. There is no burned smell coming out of the unit now but there was when I had the "incident". lol

colleen

 

[ranceego]

replace the caps, but watch it close when you plug in, if it makes a buzz unpug it fast. you will hear or smell plastic if its bad.

 

[sjdyer]

I just had a cap blow on my ballast. I ordered 5 caps. Let me know what kind of caps you have. They might be the same as mine.