Woke up to my light fixture not on.

[Vorog]

When I woke up this morning and checked on the tank to my surprise it was still dark. So I went to manually turn on my light and nothing happens on 2 out of the 4 bulbs (odyssea 36" t5) I know it's a cheap china made t5 fixture but has been working perfect til now. So as of right now I just have my coral plus and purple plus on. I did try some other bulbs on the side not working, however all the bulbs in the fixture are new ATI's. So I'm thinking the ballast took a crap on me. Any of you guys know if I can just replace the ballast, or cut my losses and get another fixture?

 

[anbosu]

I'd check the fuse first.

 

[aguila88psi]

check the installation of the t5 bulbs, one or more is probably not making electrical contact

 

[Vorog]

I'd check the fuse first.

I didn't have much time to troubleshoot it this morning before work. But I didn't see any fuses. Are they inside the fixture where I'd have to open the whole thing up? I took the black cover off infront of the fixture next to the timer (if you are familiar with the fixture) just some circuit board back there. When I get home from work later I'll take it apart and see if it has fuses

 

[anbosu]

I am not familiar with that particular fixture, but I would expect it to have fuses. If it is the ballast, I'm sure you or someone else on here could replace it pretty easily.

Moving the light bulbs around could fix it too like Pedro suggested.

 

[Vorog]

check the installation of the t5 bulbs, one or more is probably not making electrical contact

I did re-seat the bulbs if that is what you are referring too? If you mean the inside connection then I'll check when I get home

 

[Vorog]

Moving the light bulbs around could fix it too like Pedro suggested.

I did try that and still the same results. So I'll take it apart tonight and see if it has fuses first. I see I can order the ballast for about $20 so if it is that. Then that's a cheap fix

 

[Vorog]

Does anyone know what type of fuse it would be? Like a glass fuse or mini ect. So I can pick a few up before I head home

 

[janes_mw]

I have had good luck with the Workhorse ballast. In this case I believe a Workhorse 5 for 2 bulbs. I wouldn't order from Odyssay IMO as they have been know to have a short life. If your doing, I would get a Workhorse 7 which will power 4 39W T5HO bulbs. Other than the bulbs, that would be about the only thing to go wrong with these things.

 

[snake1]

Vorog where do you live

 

[Vorog]

Woke up to my light fixture not on.

Vorog where do you live

South Tampa

So I took the fixture apart, and I found the issue. It is the ballast. One of the capacitors on the circuit board is blown. I know I can solder on a new one. (Used to do it all the time at my last job on computer mother boards). However I am thinking about buying 2 higher quality ballast. Below is a picture of the blown capacitor

You can see the one on the left is slightly raised compared to the one on the right :/

 

[Vorog]

 

[rfalvey89]

I would just throw 2 new ballasts in there. +1 on Janes mw post.

 

[aguila88psi]

Nice work Vorog, I would look into a Phillips ICN (used in tek & ATI light fixtures) or dimmable HEP (used in dimmable ATI fixtures) or workhorse ballast, although in my opinion most of the efficiency of the light fixture would comes from the reflector so any ballast would work just fine.

 

[Vorog]

I agree about the reflectors, they make a huge difference. I did order a new ballast for the odyssea. However my luck is getting worst. My nano tank's t5 fixture is flickering, could be a starter going bad I'm thinking.. I'm about to rip it off the nano and go back to LED! So if it's not something simple to fix. I'll be looking for a cheap led for it