Is there an electrician in the house?

FishDreamer48

FishDreamer48

AC Members
May 25, 2009
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Kentucky
I have two fluorescent light fixtures that won't work, one shorts out any bulb I put in it and the other simply doesn't work at all. I have replace bulbs and fluorescent starters. I really don't have the dough to buy new ones unless someone knows a good shop light that works without the expensive price tag, but I would prefer to just fix these. Anybody have a similar problem that they fixed? Took them apart didn't seem to be anything visibly amiss. Can provide more information if need thanks in advance for any help. Both hold one bulb. One is like 36" (can get exact measurements on both on them later if needed) and when on my 36 gallon and the other is around 24" I believe. Help?
 
definitely sounds like a ballast issue, have you checked the wiring to make sure it is intact?
 
The one that shorts your ballast sounds like you have a ballast that is cross winding shorted meaning that it will not control the current like it should and burns out your bulbs. Take a voltage and amp reading on a wire between the ballast and bulb to check. voltage x amps equals watts and it should be approximately the wattage of the bulb. If it is much higher, replace the ballast.

The one that just doesn't work could be the light switch or a burned out ballast. check for voltage at the switch and after the ballast. The voltage will disappear after the bad part.

Electrical/Automation Controls Engineer
 
If it is indeed your ballast, if they are normal T12 bulbs, you can find decent, cheap ballast replacements at home depot.

If you want cheap shop lights, I have had good success finding them at walmart. $10 for the dual tube 4 footers.
 
Okay thanks I will have to wait until I can borrow a amps/wattage reader which will be a couple days. I will definately check home deport next time I am out that way,Walmart, and Home Deport.
Will try to do a another inspection of the wiring this weekend if I get a change.
 
Sounds to me like the ballast is defective. Thats the transformer like thing that weighs so much. Most aquarium fixtures are so small it is not financially sound to replace the ballast. It would cost more than a new fixture. I don't know how your lights are set up or what size tank they are on. Maybe, if you have a hood with glass seperating the light from water you could simply remove the electrical elements and reinstall a cheap under-cabinet mini-fluorescent fixture inside and run the cord through a hole you put iin the housing.
 
Any chance you can get us some pix?

For the 24" I have ballasts suitable for F20T12 cheap. PM if interested.

For the 36" I was going to suggest buying a cheap shoplite and cannibalizing the ballast...that is what i did for my 2-tube 36" light.

As a caveat-those are generally made for 2 lamps, and the model of ballast may vary. Might work well with one lamp, might not. Might even work well as ONDO (overdriven normal output) setup with one lamp.
 
kj5kb said:
Any chance you can get us some pix?

For the 24" I have ballasts suitable for F20T12 cheap. PM if interested.

For the 36" I was going to suggest buying a cheap shoplite and cannibalizing the ballast...that is what i did for my 2-tube 36" light.

As a caveat-those are generally made for 2 lamps, and the model of ballast may vary. Might work well with one lamp, might not. Might even work well as ONDO (overdriven normal output) setup with one lamp.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the only camera I could use is currently indisposed. Here are the stats.
The shorter one is 22 1/8" long
Model 24RFH
Rated: 120 VAC, 60Hz, 17 W. The brand symbol I think is a U and an L in a circle. Not sure what brand that is.
The longer one is 34 3/4". Has same symbol on it, All Glass Aquarium, Inc light, 36" Fluorescent Aquarium Reactor.
120 volt, 20 watt, 60 Hz., not sure of the model # it does have 9N23 on it and E163201, not sure if one of those are it.

I really don't think it would be wise to jerry-rig my own lights sounds like a fire hazard, but I think I will post a wanted ad for some. Looking for cheap lights that will promote plant growth. Would like some for 10 gallons, 55 gallons, and possible for a 20 and 36 gallon. Want them to either sit on a glass top of have legs. Don't have the ability to suspend them currently. PM me if you have any working lights with reasonable shipping. Or near the zipcode 40372. Need to be flourescent. Like I said don't have money to pour into these right now, but would at least like one that will fit across a ten gallon with another light, can be a few inches longer.
 
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