AH Supply 2x55W Installation Problem

[cdsilva]

I just installed a new 2x55W CFL kit from AH Supply in a recently-built wooden canopy.
After plugging it in for the first time as a test, both lights worked. The second time I plugged it in, a little smoke came out of one of the end caps, and that bulb did not light. You can still see a very slight illuminumation in the bulb when fitted in the end cap, but it is negligible. Both bulbs still work fine on the other end cap.

All the wiring connections are tightly fitted in wirecaps. This kit has a single ballast for both bulbs.

Does anyone know what happened? Do I need a new end cap assembly?

I also sent a note to AH Supply, but they are only open during weekdays.

Thanks,

Carl

P.S. The 6700K light from the right side of the canopy looks very nice and brings out the color in my sevs and australian rainbow much better than my old tube. Unfortunately, the other half of the tank is dim.

 

[timinny]

try to take and switch the two bulbs and see if it works in the other and vic-versa that will be able to tell you if it is the bulb or the endcap. Good luck
Tim

 

[OldMan47]

Recheck that the end that is not lighting is properly wired into the ballast. It may be that the wires are not inserted equally into the wire nuts so that you get good contact. If everthing is wired properly, you may well have a defective cap assembly. Smoke from the end cap sounds like something is wrong there. When I put mine together, I remember having some trouble getting the bulb to fit the end cap properly without distorting the end cap's connectors. The moulding was flexible enough that I checked myself carefully before turning the power on for the first time. Everything worked but if I had not noticed that it needed a careful fit, it might have smoked it.

 

[cdsilva]

Triple-checked and all wirenut connections are solid. Both bulbs work on the right end cap.

I did come up with a good short-term solution by sliding the working bulb to the center of the canopy. Even though the tank is 48" long and the bulb only 21" long, the high output of the bulb combined with the ~46" length of two reflectors above provides an acceptable light spread throughout the tank. The very edges are a little dim. And since this is a sev tank without plants, there is no downside to a little less light. I may even keep it this way after replacing the other end cap.

 

[Trex76us]

I had the same thing happen to my 55 kit. The 2nd time I truned it on the cap started to smoke and the light didn't work after that. I called them up and they sent me a new end cap free of charge and it all works now.

 

[cdsilva]

I had the same thing happen to my 55 kit. The 2nd time I truned it on the cap started to smoke and the light didn't work after that. I called them up and they sent me a new end cap free of charge and it all works now.

Good to know. Thanks.

- Carl

 

[cdsilva]

In case anyone was interested, AH Supply was quick to respond to my e-mail, and sent a new end-cap without me even having to ask for one. I replaced the defective one today and now everything is working fine.

After checking out a variety of lighting options for my new tank, the AH Supply deal seems to be the best quaility for price paid.