BioCube 8 ballast went...

ner'T' · #1 08-03-2009, 07:30 PM

My 1.5yr old ballast, (Actinic), seems to have died. Does anyone know of a good route to replace it? Another stock one, or wiring in a new ballast from a light store?

Thanks for any input

Ron99 · #2 08-03-2009, 07:46 PM

Go to nanotuners.com and they have a video with instructions as to how to wire up their replacement ballast kits. You can probably find all the parts you need locally at places like rp electronics and an electrical/lighting supply place for better ballasts. That's what I did when the ballast on my Biocube went.

ner'T' · #3 08-04-2009, 05:51 AM

Thanks for the info Ron99.

Did you buy locally? Does this ballast seem like it would work?

http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?...FID=16&level=1

Thanks again!

Ron99 · #4 08-05-2009, 03:08 PM

I'm not sure about that ballast. I'm not really an electrical expert; I just muddle through

I went with a workhorse ballast as it was capable of running both bulbs if the second ballast went. I think I bought it at Torbram Electrical Supply. I am sure you can find an electrical supply shop near you and RP Electronics is in Burnaby which is where I bought the project box and misc. supplies.

gbeef · #5 08-07-2009, 04:05 PM

could be a fuse in the ballast i herd those blow.. mine blew 2 months in... and i just when to my LFS and got it replaced.

Ron99 · #6 08-07-2009, 04:26 PM

The biocube ballasts are completely sealed and unserviceable. There is no fuse to change. If you open the ballast box you can see that they have filled it with tar/resin. I think that is part of the problem as the electronic components are prone to overheat.

ner'T' · #7 08-11-2009, 01:01 AM

Hi,

Ron99 I picked up a 18w x 2 ballast today from B C Fluorescent Sales, in East Van, for $40, (The other place I tried was $65).

It can drive one, or both bulbs... Now I just have to make sense of all the wires in the cord that differ in colour from the ones coming outta the ballast

Oddly enough, my other bulb went today... I thought it was the ballast for sure, but I changed the bulb and its okay...

-Rob

Ron99 · #8 08-11-2009, 04:22 AM

Just follow the instructions in the videos here:

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_in...roducts_id=542

ner'T' · #9 08-13-2009, 01:43 AM

Thanks for the link...

That video is for two separate ballasts vs. my single ballast. My new ballast has a wiring diagram for 1 and 2 lamp configurations., but I don't now how to tie it into the biocube cord.

I just wish that I knew what each of the 6 wires in the remote disconnect cord were.

Thanks

Ron99 · #10 08-13-2009, 04:59 PM

The principals should be similar doing it with one ballast vs. two and the videos will tell you what the six wires coming from the disconnect cord do so you can figure it out from there.