ballast problem

DolbyCat · 08/25/2009, 03:11 PM

what do ballasts do when they start to go. my fixture has twin 175w de's powered by twin 175w ballasts. having trouble keeping both lamps lit at the same, whe one is lit and the other is firing, the lamp that was on goes out. i've tested power at the wall (20amp service all by itself)
tested power at the lamp
tried different bulbs
tried different breaker(kitchen)
I'M LOSIN MY MIND
thx for any info

reefboarder · 08/25/2009, 06:48 PM

I believe there is a starter or capacitor that usually goes bad when they do that I am trying to contact my friend he is an expert and will know the answer Ill post more when I find out. Also are they magnetic or electronic ballast?

Gary Majchrzak · 08/25/2009, 07:22 PM

what brand light fixture?

SkiFletch · 08/25/2009, 07:52 PM

Agreed, is it an electronic or magnetic ballast?

DolbyCat · 08/25/2009, 10:50 PM

its an odyssea not sure if its electronic or magnetic it does have a capacitor and another small round unit wired in

reefboarder · 08/26/2009, 07:04 PM

If it looks like this

It is a magnetic ballast the three yellow squares in the photo are the magnets.
If yours are magnetic it is unfortunately probably time for an upgrade.

Ken_wied · 08/26/2009, 07:08 PM

How old is your fixture? I and several others just bought the new version, and its great. I agree though, if it is the ballast, you could upgrade them to IceCap's and still be coming out ahead of what a Coralife or similar fixture would cost.

reefboarder · 08/26/2009, 07:40 PM

When the ballast pictured went out; I upgraded to the Icecap 250mh ballast and am very pleased! So it wouldnt be an unfortunate upgrade just unfortunate that you have to do it!

SkiFletch · 08/26/2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefboarder
If it looks like this

It is a magnetic ballast the three yellow squares in the photo are the magnets.
If yours are magnetic it is unfortunately probably time for an upgrade.

Actually, because it's using FET's for regulation, that's an electronic ballast. A true magnetic ballast is only a BIG capacitor and a BIG transformer, that's it. Electronic ballasts also have transformers and capacitors, but they use various FET voltage regulators, and other components to regulate the voltage WITHOUT creating a lot of heat.

Edit, capacitors in either case fail very often. And in the often under-built Odyssea fixtures, the FET's will also tend to fail

Gary Majchrzak · 08/26/2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
what brand light fixture?

Quote:

Originally posted by SkiFletch
Edit, capacitors in either case fail very often. And in the often under-built Odyssea fixtures, the FET's will also tend to fail

I love cut and paste

reefboarder · 08/27/2009, 05:05 AM

Huh, I was under the impression that My cheap came with the fixture ballasts were magnetic. But thats why were all here for help and education Thank you skifletch hope my bad info hasnt traveled to far! :-)

DolbyCat · 08/27/2009, 08:50 AM

its electronic ballast and now its for sale. just bought a beautiful fixture from steel3470 (who btw has some great stuff for sale. if anyone wants a diy project pm me. it has twin 175w mh's and twin 54w t5ho's. i'm asking $75.

steel3470 · 08/27/2009, 08:54 AM

thanks TJ

Newreef2 · 09/18/2009, 02:52 PM

Boy do I feel like an idiot!! I am the sucker who bought this light and not for $75 I got it for a bargain $100 off craigslist!! When I picked it up he had it all set up and turned it on for me and it ran for a few minutes and all was well but when I set it up at home it will stay on for a few minutes and then the lights go on and off, go figure as it has a bad ballast!! I am just really ticked that somebody off the board would be so dishonest, I don't know how somebody could do this and sleep at night knowing you just took somebody's hard earned $100 for something that doesn't work. I guess this is a lesson for me. I have pm'd him and gave him ample time to respond before posting this as I believe everybody should have a chance to rectify a problem like this but obviously he has no intention to do that. I just want to warn other people about his shady selling practices, oh and does anybody have a cheap used ballast for 2 175 watt bulbs???

Thanks for listening,
Barbara

jdoenumber2 · 09/19/2009, 02:23 PM

Wow no respose. Thats just annoying. Im supprised he didnt want to make good of the issue at all. Good to know who i can trust....

aww_419 · 09/21/2009, 06:52 PM

+1 jdoenumber2

well said. Looks like I wont be buying anything from DolbyCat

Neoz · 09/21/2009, 07:22 PM

Barbara you have Pm...

I'm trying to help...

mreye23 · 09/23/2009, 11:07 PM

Thats just horrible, did they ever respond to you?

jfl14609 · 09/24/2009, 05:20 PM

thats crazy

08/25/2009, 03:11 PM	#1
DolbyCat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Holley, N.Y. Posts: 113	ballast problem what do ballasts do when they start to go. my fixture has twin 175w de's powered by twin 175w ballasts. having trouble keeping both lamps lit at the same, whe one is lit and the other is firing, the lamp that was on goes out. i've tested power at the wall (20amp service all by itself) tested power at the lamp tried different bulbs tried different breaker(kitchen) I'M LOSIN MY MIND thx for any info

08/25/2009, 06:48 PM	#2
reefboarder Intelligent Donkey Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Farmington Posts: 961	I believe there is a starter or capacitor that usually goes bad when they do that I am trying to contact my friend he is an expert and will know the answer Ill post more when I find out. Also are they magnetic or electronic ballast? __________________ Humor is an affirmation of dignity! -Fortune Cookie Current Tank Info: 120g in wall , 125g sump, 29g refugium, reef octopus nwb250, 3 k-4's,wp40 wavemaker, aquacontroller apex, gfo,carbon,biopellet reactors, 84 leds DIY controlled by the apex, mag 12 return.

08/25/2009, 07:22 PM	#3
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 38,689	what brand light fixture? __________________ over 19 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC Current Tank Info: 72x24x30 225 gallon peninsula reef aquarium called Junior's Reef

08/25/2009, 07:52 PM	#4
SkiFletch Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: N Buffalo, NY Posts: 3,644	Agreed, is it an electronic or magnetic ballast? __________________ You will miss 100% of the shots you dont take. Dare to dream Mike, aka Fletch Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef

08/25/2009, 10:50 PM	#5
DolbyCat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Holley, N.Y. Posts: 113	its an odyssea not sure if its electronic or magnetic it does have a capacitor and another small round unit wired in __________________ ~T.J.~ Current Tank Info: 90 gal reef 55 gal planted 27 gal fresh

08/26/2009, 07:04 PM	#6
reefboarder Intelligent Donkey Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Farmington Posts: 961	If it looks like this It is a magnetic ballast the three yellow squares in the photo are the magnets. If yours are magnetic it is unfortunately probably time for an upgrade. __________________ Humor is an affirmation of dignity! -Fortune Cookie Current Tank Info: 120g in wall , 125g sump, 29g refugium, reef octopus nwb250, 3 k-4's,wp40 wavemaker, aquacontroller apex, gfo,carbon,biopellet reactors, 84 leds DIY controlled by the apex, mag 12 return.

08/26/2009, 07:08 PM	#7
Ken_wied Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 311	How old is your fixture? I and several others just bought the new version, and its great. I agree though, if it is the ballast, you could upgrade them to IceCap's and still be coming out ahead of what a Coralife or similar fixture would cost. __________________ Ken 90gal RR 1-Yellow Tang, Blue Hippo and Kole 1-Watchman Goby 1-True Perc Clown w/Sebae Anem Host 3-Small Chromis Numerous SPS and Soft Corals Crocea Clam Sea Apple CoCo Worm 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Peps Reef Octo DNW 150 Recirc Skimmer Odyssea Dual 250w MH with 96w CP Actinic 1.025 / 78.8 / pH 8.2 / Rates 0.0 / Rites 0.0 / Ammonia 0.0 dKH 8.0 / Calc 450 / Mg 1350

08/26/2009, 07:40 PM	#8
reefboarder Intelligent Donkey Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Farmington Posts: 961	When the ballast pictured went out; I upgraded to the Icecap 250mh ballast and am very pleased! So it wouldnt be an unfortunate upgrade just unfortunate that you have to do it! __________________ Humor is an affirmation of dignity! -Fortune Cookie Current Tank Info: 120g in wall , 125g sump, 29g refugium, reef octopus nwb250, 3 k-4's,wp40 wavemaker, aquacontroller apex, gfo,carbon,biopellet reactors, 84 leds DIY controlled by the apex, mag 12 return.

08/27/2009, 05:05 AM	#11
reefboarder Intelligent Donkey Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Farmington Posts: 961	Huh, I was under the impression that My cheap came with the fixture ballasts were magnetic. But thats why were all here for help and education Thank you skifletch hope my bad info hasnt traveled to far! :-) __________________ Humor is an affirmation of dignity! -Fortune Cookie Current Tank Info: 120g in wall , 125g sump, 29g refugium, reef octopus nwb250, 3 k-4's,wp40 wavemaker, aquacontroller apex, gfo,carbon,biopellet reactors, 84 leds DIY controlled by the apex, mag 12 return.

08/27/2009, 08:50 AM	#12
DolbyCat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Holley, N.Y. Posts: 113	its electronic ballast and now its for sale. just bought a beautiful fixture from steel3470 (who btw has some great stuff for sale. if anyone wants a diy project pm me. it has twin 175w mh's and twin 54w t5ho's. i'm asking $75. __________________ ~T.J.~ Current Tank Info: 90 gal reef 55 gal planted 27 gal fresh

08/27/2009, 08:54 AM	#13
steel3470 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: akron ny 14001 Posts: 431	thanks TJ

09/18/2009, 02:52 PM	#14
Newreef2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Henrietta,NY Posts: 117	Light Boy do I feel like an idiot!! I am the sucker who bought this light and not for $75 I got it for a bargain $100 off craigslist!! When I picked it up he had it all set up and turned it on for me and it ran for a few minutes and all was well but when I set it up at home it will stay on for a few minutes and then the lights go on and off, go figure as it has a bad ballast!! I am just really ticked that somebody off the board would be so dishonest, I don't know how somebody could do this and sleep at night knowing you just took somebody's hard earned $100 for something that doesn't work. I guess this is a lesson for me. I have pm'd him and gave him ample time to respond before posting this as I believe everybody should have a chance to rectify a problem like this but obviously he has no intention to do that. I just want to warn other people about his shady selling practices, oh and does anybody have a cheap used ballast for 2 175 watt bulbs??? Thanks for listening, Barbara

09/19/2009, 02:23 PM	#15
jdoenumber2 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fairport, NY Posts: 2,099	Wow no respose. Thats just annoying. Im supprised he didnt want to make good of the issue at all. Good to know who i can trust....

09/21/2009, 06:52 PM	#16
aww_419 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 913	+1 jdoenumber2 well said. Looks like I wont be buying anything from DolbyCat

09/21/2009, 07:22 PM	#17
Neoz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,232	Barbara you have Pm... I'm trying to help... __________________ Dave Live to Learn Current Tank Info: Planning out my 300DD Build

09/23/2009, 11:07 PM	#18
mreye23 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 243	Thats just horrible, did they ever respond to you?

09/24/2009, 05:20 PM	#19
jfl14609 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brockport, ny Posts: 4,840	thats crazy __________________ Everyone watch carefully someone is about to say something really funny! Current Tank Info: 210 gallon reef