T5 light sockets

[SRT80]

I figured out what I have are light sockets (I don't think it's the same as end caps?).

I'm sure what Finnex is sending me are the twist and lock sockets like these since that is what my fixture has. Mine looks just like this, same shape except my center is black.

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=FE1-483T5SOCKET

Anyone have any experience on changing these out? I did get my light takin' apart with no problem. I think I'm gonna try and find a replacement fan too since mine is kind of loud.

I'm just wondering how you get the wires to stick inside the socket. I havent tried removing the wires from the old socket yet. The wires plug into the ballast no problem. You just push the button and stick the wire in and it locks in. Kind of like how you hook stereo speaker wires.

Now I kind of think it would be cool to build a canopy and retro fit this light and lose the fixture housing.

But my main concern is gettin the sockets and everything back workin.

Steve

 

[nightfire]

its ok that yours doesnt look exactly the same in the middle,as long as its for t5 bulbs its th same thing,its just two wires that go right in there

 

[SRT80]

I'm sure Finnex is sending me the right ones. They asked the model number. I was just posting that to give you a idea of what I have. Before I contacted Finnex I was lookin' up "end caps" and new they looked different then what I had.

I'm posting 2 pictures. I don't know how to get the wires out of the socket. I don't know if you just pull them out or what?

The wires are in snug. I don't want to break the wire if I need to reuse it.

Steve

 

[nightfire]

heres a pic of ya soket more or less on the inside if ya opened it up.....the orange are ya 2 wires going into the soket.....it goes into the yellow plates and when ya put ya bulb in and twist it it makes the whole connection,the wires will always be a bit hard to pull out because those little plates pinch the wire,but once ya pull it out by wiggling it and pulling on it it wil come out and puting those wires into a new soket is very easy,it'll just slide in.....they are made to side in easy and not come out easily....hope this helps ya

 

[nightfire]

btw forgive my crappy paint tool drawing im on a laptop with out a mouse lol

 

[SRT80]

That's cool, I understand. Thanks for the help. I can now see this is gonna be a easy job. When my new sockets come in, I will start removing the wires. I still haven't decide if I should go ahead and replace them all or just the 2 that broke.

Steve

 

[nightfire]

just replace the 2 for now,i always say if it aint broke dont fix it lol

 

[SRT80]

Yea, someone on the lighting forum pointed out that there is a little slot by the wire and to stick something in there to help get the wire out. I used a paper clip and the wires slid right out.

I'm probably gonna replace all of them since it's so easy. The other sockets seem fine, but they might be gettin' brittle and could break during next bulb change. The light is over 2 years old. I'm probably gonna sale the light too, so I'd rather it go out with the new parts already installed.

Thanks again for the help,
Steve

 

[SRT80]

We have light!!!

That was easy and I'm relieved it was only unplug wires and plug back in. I was concerned when I thought soldering was involved.

I went ahead and replaced all 8 so it has all new sockets. Now I must decide about selling it since 4x24w T5 HO is a little much for just some mushrooms and razor caulerpa. :lolspin:

Would probably be better off with a 65w PC or 2x24w T5 fixture.

Steve