Halide Lighting Ballast problems!! help!

vertex · #1 03-16-2006, 12:24 AM

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 · #2 03-16-2006, 01:12 AM

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 · #3 03-16-2006, 04:27 AM

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

vertex · #4 03-16-2006, 04:41 AM

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 · #5 03-16-2006, 04:51 AM

Nice! Good stuff.

jws444 · #6 03-16-2006, 05:49 AM

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.

vertex · #7 03-16-2006, 06:15 AM

jws444,

Whoa, its not that bad! There was a proper connector (4040) in the hole that clamped the cord in place. The problem was that the clamped cord had started to pull out the back so it was then right at the point where you can see the burnt wire at the end of the shielding.

I agree though, this was very dangerous. The sparks I saw flying alone were scary enough. I'm glad I ran into this now though and was able to fix it right away. Could have been much worse, even if it had just tripped the breaker or GFCI for a day, since all my pumps heaters and everything would have been off.

What does everyone else here do for power, do you put everything on one GFCI plug or do you put some emergency pumps on a separate circuit so at least if the GFCI does trip, some circulation is still active?

Mike