Canarygirl
10/24/2008, 03:18 PM
I could use some help diagnosing a problem with my T-5 retro kit.
4 x 24" T-5's on IC 660.
2 days ago the unit did not seem turn on all day; it was off when I got home anyway. I replaced one bulb, the one closest to the front (thinking it may have been knocked or something because it was looser in the socket...I could twist it more easily than the other bulbs).
The unit turned on okay after I replaced the bulb. But the next day the unit spontaneously turned itself off again, after running most of the day. It was not set to auto-turn off for a few more hours. (Plugged into a timer.)
When I test the unit by plugging the cord straight into an outlet instead of the timer, it will turn on for 1 second then turn off and stay off.
I removed the end caps from the 2 bulbs closest to the front of the tank. One of the sets of end caps has a small piece of plastic that separates the 2 prongs of the bulb. The second set of end caps has no plastic that separates the bulb prongs. Should all end caps have this piece of plastic? Does it keep the electricity from arcing between the prongs? Or do I just have two different kinds of end caps on this thing? I may have mixed two kinds together because I had extras....
Any other trouble-shooting tips? One more question: When you seat the bulb into the socket are you supposed to give it a little twist after it goes in? Or just straight in and leave it oriented that way?
thanks
4 x 24" T-5's on IC 660.
2 days ago the unit did not seem turn on all day; it was off when I got home anyway. I replaced one bulb, the one closest to the front (thinking it may have been knocked or something because it was looser in the socket...I could twist it more easily than the other bulbs).
The unit turned on okay after I replaced the bulb. But the next day the unit spontaneously turned itself off again, after running most of the day. It was not set to auto-turn off for a few more hours. (Plugged into a timer.)
When I test the unit by plugging the cord straight into an outlet instead of the timer, it will turn on for 1 second then turn off and stay off.
I removed the end caps from the 2 bulbs closest to the front of the tank. One of the sets of end caps has a small piece of plastic that separates the 2 prongs of the bulb. The second set of end caps has no plastic that separates the bulb prongs. Should all end caps have this piece of plastic? Does it keep the electricity from arcing between the prongs? Or do I just have two different kinds of end caps on this thing? I may have mixed two kinds together because I had extras....
Any other trouble-shooting tips? One more question: When you seat the bulb into the socket are you supposed to give it a little twist after it goes in? Or just straight in and leave it oriented that way?
thanks