Is there a secret to removing Power Compact bulbs?

[fabsroman]

It seems as though every time I have to replace a Power Compat (PC) bulb it is a struggle to get it off the fixture. On a couple of occassions, the little sockets that the prongs plug into have come out of the plastic part that contains the wires. Obviously, that causes a mess and in trying to fix one last night where three of the prongs came out I crossed 2 wires with the light plugged in and that was all she wrote for the light.

Trying to find parts to fix the light is almost impossible. Kind of ard to believe that I am going to have to throw away a $200+ light fixture because it cannot be fixed. Anybody have any advice on where to get the parts I need to fix this thing? It is a Coralife Aqualight.

Also, any advice about how to make it so the bulbs do not stick to the sockets? I was thinking about using dielectric grease like I use on car spark plugs, but I have no idea if this will work.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

 

[ChrisK]

Dielectric grease works I use it on mine, just don't over do it, I have the same fixture 4x65 watt. Not sure where to get actual coralife parts, but you could go to a home store like Lowes and get some stuff to rewire the fixture, and testlights etc. to find the short.

 

[fabsroman]

Thanks for the reply. I already have a test light and have wired plenty of home wiring stuff. Thing is, I have never worked on a lighting fixture for an aquarium. My big problem is that the sockets have actually pulled out of the plastic piece they are contained in. It seems as though it was a very thin piece of copper soldered to the wire at a 90 degree angle and when I used a screwdriver to pry the bulb from the plastic connector, it broke the copper connector, which came out attached to the prong on the bulb. I am not a happy camper right now.

I have a Home Depot across the street. I'll take a ride over there later today and see what they have. I m just worried that I fried the ballast when I touched the negative and positive wires together. Hopefully, there is a cheap, replaceable fuse in there somewhere.

 

[Kashta]

I'd contact the manufacturer and ask them to send you the replacement parts you need. 800 255-4527 - ask for the warranty department.

If that fails, maybe buy a retro-fit kit?

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Aside from any obvious soldered connections or hidden screws that would otherwise allow any type electric connection to separate and disconnect normally, the use of WD40 which is specifically designed to penetrate & loosen oxidized electrical connections with power off. The followup use of Dielectric grease as a lubricator and preventative measure against oxidation once the connections are clean and reconnected, is the correct procedure. Both WD40 & Dielectric grease are safe to use on electrical switches and connections while the power is off with no need to remove residue for power reactivation.

 

[fabsroman]

Aside from any obvious soldered connections or hidden screws that would otherwise allow any type electric connection to separate and disconnect normally, the use of WD40 which is specifically designed to penetrate & loosen oxidized electrical connections with power off. The followup use of Dielectric grease as a lubricator and preventative measure against oxidation once the connections are clean and reconnected, is the correct procedure. Both WD40 & Dielectric grease are safe to use on electrical switches and connections while the power is off with no need to remove residue for power reactivation.

Thanks for the WD-40 suggestion. I am seriously thinking I am an idiot now because I already know all this stuff from working on my cars, but just could not make the connection that electrical systems are the same between cars and aquariums.

The only thing I don't know is if I fried the ballast by touching the positive and negative wires together, or if the light just isn't coming on because the connection isn't tight enough when merely holding the bare wires to the studs/prongs on the bulb. If the light only has a single ballast then I am fine because the other 2 bulbs without missing connections come on just fine.

Thanks guys.