Light fixture problems

JimL

JimL

I know just enough to be dangerous
Mar 28, 2009
406
0
0
Silverdale, WA.
I’m having problems with the lighting on one of my tanks (37 Tall, Echo system).
Only one (twin tube unit) tube lights up when powered up, once in a while both tubes light up but it’s rare. The unlit tube blinks like it’s trying to come on but doesn't.
I’ve found if I rock the unlit tube in its socket I can get it to come on, it doesn’t stay lit in the normal locked position.
My question is;
Is it the socket that’s bad or is the ballast?

Thanks in advance for any ideas

Jim
 
More likely the socket. Here's some things to try.

Remove the good bulb and fire it up with just the marginal one. Same problem rules out wiring / load balancing.
Switch the bulbs. It may be the bulb.
Check the socket, clean it out if there's any junk in there. Make sure to UNPLUG THE FIXTURE FIRST.
Check the contacts in the fixture, sometimes (I think it's more rare with FL tubes) the metal in the fixture gets bent, causing less contact.

Try those and go from there.
 
I've tryed swaping the bulbs. Same problem same socket. I'll try cleaning the socket with a wite brush. Thanks
Jim
 
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