Power Compacts not working - help

[CMOS]

Hey All,

I have a Custom Sea Life hood that contains 2 Power Compacts and a single 175 10K MH. The PC's and the cooling fan are on the same circuit. The MH is on an isolated circuit.

The cooling fan is working so I have power, but the PC's are not on. Does this type of lighting (PS'c) have some type of starter under the hood reflector that may be shot?

Oh, the PC bulbs are brand new.

Thoughts?

CMOS

[charlie]

I don't even know if Custom Sea Life is in business anymore???? I think there is a ballast in there for the PC's, but I have never taken one apart. You may try calling Marine Depot or Premium Aqautics and talk to their techs about it. I know both of them sold CSL products. HTH

[returnofsid]

Ballast, unless the PC bulb is really short, then there would be a starter. I'd suspect the ballast is out, or wiring to or from ballast is bad. I'd second Charlie's suggest about calling MD or PA.

[CMOS]

Tore it apart. There is a single parallel ballast for the both PC bulb sockets so this is most likely the culprit. Google is my friend as I found the same ballast online.

Might get here tomorrow. Hope so - my corals and Mushrooms are not happy without their "sunshine".


CMOS

[charlie]

That is great, hope everything turns out well, gotta keep them critters happy!!!

[CMOS]

Success!

Ballast replaced and all is bright again.

For the record - if any of you do a repair similar to this on a T5 or MH fixture, please be sure to use solder connections - not crimp or wire nut connections. I'm in the electronics business and know from experience that ballast systems like these have a high-current surge when starting the bulbs. Solder connections allow for maximum current surge with little or no connection resistance.

Use solder! It does make a difference in the life of your ballasts.

CMOS

[charlie]

Good info, that'll help somebody in the future, I am sure!!! Thanx for the heads up, and congrats on getting your little guys some lite again.