symptoms of dying lights.....aka HELP!!!...lol

[gsusfreak]

anyone, as some of you may know...i recently got another tank.....a 46 bowfront from chic of the sea(for a fantastic deal!!!).......along with it, it recieve a dual satellite current usa PC light fixture......i was told that i would need new bulbs(she told me that the daylights were blown out)......but when i setup it up, only one side tries to work

where am i going with this?.....well, basically...what are some troubleshooting i should do to know what i need to replace....ive been reading up....but do this things have fuses?....is there a way to test if the ballast is ok?....any info is appreciated as always

 

[crumbletop]

Do you have new bulbs? If it is doing that with old bulbs, it could be just the bulbs that are keeping it from firing.

 

[Ebay Fish]

Is it one side of the pc bulbs, or the entire bulb that is not lighting up? Current Bulbs use "dual Daylight" & "dual Actinic" bulbs. Each side of the bulb is typically different colors (6700k & 10000K Daylight & 420nm & 460nm Actinic). You could always purchase a new bulb to test each ballast & see if they fire.

----Sean

 

[gflat65]

I'd go with new bulbs, too. FWIW, I replace all PC's after 6 months (and VHO's) to ensure that I don't go too far. Someone argued with me on the boards that PC's are good until they blow out/won't fire. I'd like to see his tank... After 6 months, the difference is so noticable, I think about reducing the time frame even more (or switching to T5's).

 

[gsusfreak]

opps...i didnt say it right...only one side works (i think)....i can switch bulbs and both would somewhat light up (flickers)....but neither bulbs even turn on with the other side....

im getting some new bulbs in this week...hopefully that will answer some questions

 

[Ebay Fish]

If only one bank works, chances are that it is a ballast problem. Also, you could have a "slow firing" ballast...after several minutes, possibly hours it turns on, either way I would replace them. Current has a two year warranty on thier fixtures, so if you can come up with a sales receipt, they may be under warranty. Otherwise I know of a place that has the bulbs and the ballast for you...

----Sean

 

[cee]

Sounds like the igniter in your ballast is bad. You can order replacement ballasts cheap from nanotuners.