Halide Lighting Ballast problems!! help!

[TheReefGeek]

What are the dimensions of your 120?

Sounds like one of your ballasts died, and the other works still.

I would try both your bulbs on the ballast that is known to work to check them out to make sure both bulbs are ok still.

Then I would see if anyone has an old set of bulbs that are 1+ years old they have kicking around (if you dont have any) and try a crappy bulb on the ballast that "popped".

What brand ballast is it? A probe start 250w ballast is about $75 or so to replace at a lighting store, you can do it yourself and keep the enclosure and wiring the same. That is if the wiring is still good and no corroded or anything from the mishap.

[vertex]

Thanks reefgeek. I didn't actually realize there are two ballasts (my ballast box has just one plugin), that would explain why one could be working. Unfortunately I don't know what kind of ballast it is, bought it all used from another reefer here, so I'll have to try to see if he knows. I guess it is OK to run just one side then for now.

I'll try the other side on its own later to see what happens. I assume something is shorted out in that ballast and that is why its tripping the GFCI. I'll open it up later and have a look, but for now, I need to leave it on tonight for the corals since I wasn't able to turn it on till 5PM. Thanks for the help.

Love to hear any other suggestions or if someone knows where I can get replacements ballasts (in Calgary perhaps??).
Tank dimensions are 4'x2'x2'. Its only about half full of water right now, as I'm slowing increasing it from my 33G I upgraded from.

[Invigor]

open up the box the ballast is in and read the label on the big square looking thing, look for either m58 or m138...more than likely, they're m58s...just go to a hydroponics store and get another set. or a wholesaler if you can do that too

[TheReefGeek]

Lighting stores will also carry it - the smaller more industrial shops, no the fancy lighting places.

[vertex]

Well, thanks for all the help everyone and quick replies. I found the problem...


The neutral was shorting out at the connector from the plug to the case. Not really sure why one bulb worked and two would not but maybe it required just a little extra current to cause the spark to case to short the GFCI. Anyway, I rewired all the inputs and connectors and its all back up and running!! Both bulbs are OK and its looking like it should again!!

Whewww!! What a relief....

[TheReefGeek]

Nice! Good stuff.

[jws444]

Sweet jesus! You need a grommit in there badly. I don't mean to lecture, but this is how a house fire can start. I assume you bought a DIY, because no professional box would come wired like that.