Problems With MH Ballast

[Gadgets]

Well i thought everything was going well on my new frag tank, but today the ballast wouldn't fire. i was wondering if any of you may know what I can do to resolve the issue. I tried switching out the bulbs and that didn't work. Any advice would be appreciated. It's a blueline 250 electronic

[JMsAquarium]

Chris,

 

Is the ballast new? Or under warranty? In which case you gan send it back to the manufacturer. If not, well, in my experience when an electronic ballast stops working, it is usually toasted.

 

The problem is that the components inside the casing are sealed in some kind of epoxy. It did happened twice to me in the past. One was under warranty and was exchanged at no cost. Then another one was thrown away since it was not under warranty.

 

The one I threw away was a Blueline 250W e-ballast.

 

Ah, when I say sealed in epoxy, picture this, the components are wired inside the box, then the epoxy is poured inside the box till it fills it copletely, then the box is closed. Yeah I opened it just out of curiosity. No wonder these things are heavy.

[Gadgets]

Chris,

 

Is the ballast new? Or under warranty? In which case you gan send it back to the manufacturer. If not, well, in my experience when an electronic ballast stops working, it is usually toasted.

 

The problem is that the components inside the casing are sealed in some kind of epoxy. It did happened twice to me in the past. One was under warranty and was exchanged at no cost. Then another one was thrown away since it was not under warranty.

 

The one I threw away was a Blueline 250W e-ballast.

 

Ah, when I say sealed in epoxy, picture this, the components are wired inside the box, then the epoxy is poured inside the box till it fills it copletely, then the box is closed. Yeah I opened it just out of curiosity. No wonder these things are heavy.

 

naw it's not new. i got it from Sean at F&F. I am gonna call him up. Thanks for the info.

Edited December 1, 2006 by 143gadgets

[kngfisher]

Well i thought everything was going well on my new frag tank, but today the ballast wouldn't fire. i was wondering if any of you may know what I can do to resolve the issue. I tried switching out the bulbs and that didn't work. Any advice would be appreciated. It's a blueline 250 electronic

 

 

Have you checked the connections? All you need is one loose or corroded connection..

 

have you tried to measure for voltage to the lamps/sockets?

Edited December 2, 2006 by kngfisher

[davelin315]

I had one go awhile ago. When it went, it simply went. It tried to fire intermittently for a couple of days and then simply quit completely. I'd replace it with a new one. I was happy with the ballast I got from Reef Geek and also with one I got from Hello Lights.

[GaryL]

i took a coralife e balast apart and patiently wiidled away at the epoxy coating. i found a transistor bad. instead of ordering an new one for like 5 bucks from my newark catalog, i got tired of looking at it and trashed it. it melted some of the board connections too and i would of had to repair those also. not worth it in my opinion.

[Coral Hind]

Have you checked the connections? All you need is one loose or corroded connection..

 

have you tried to measure for voltage to the lamps/sockets?

 

 

I would not recommend testing for open circuit voltage on an eballast. The firing pulse voltage will be several thousand volts, beyond most meter's ranges. You can only test it if you have a 1000pF or larger capacitor inline with the voltmeter's input lead to absorb the pulse and protect the meter. On a core and coil you can check the ballast's open circuit voltage at the socket but only after you disconnect the capacitor.

[F&Fmgr]

hey chris, sorry i left early today, been feelin cruddy, I think Charlie brought the sickness to F&F. I Will get another ballast in for you. They will ship one out and only charge if they decide after examining the ballast that there was any neglect. if not, then youull not be charged.

 

Sean

 

PS if you have any ?'s PM me for my number, I left yours at the store.

[Gadgets]

Thanks Sean. I really appreciate your help.