My ballasts stink! Need a lighting solution!

valval1029

valval1029

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Aug 29, 2004
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I'm hoping you can help me. I bought a 18g false back acrylic tank on ebay about 2 years ago. It is a 15" square. actually 16x19x15.... The canopy is 15x15. The canopy holds 4 sets of lights. Each set has a blue and a white bulb. It came with 2 ballasts. The ballasts have already been replaced --- and are just BAD! Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Usually one side of the ballast works and the other won't...

They are Helios Brand Electronic Ballast for compact fluorescent lamp. 24wx2. I have 18 watt bulbs making for a total of 72 watts over the tank. It's a saltwater reef with a couple of clowns. Usually only two of the four lights will actually work.

Anyway, I'd like to get two new ballasts if there will work with the lights I have... OR do I have to buy new lights also??? Do you know of something that would work??? ANY ideas welcome!
 
If all your lights HAVE worked and you haven't had them for more than six months than all you need is new ballasts also it could be your wiring I would check that before you get new balasts. If it is for sure your ballasts you can get them at home depot or somethimg simillar for about $30-$40 each.
 
All 4 of my lights definitely work as I've switched them from ballast to ballast... The ballasts have been horrible from day one. The company sent me 2 additional ones so now I have four. From day to day one side of each works and then doesn't... In order to have all 4 lights work, I now have 3 ballasts hooked up when I should only need two.

I can buy these at Home Depot??? Any brands or ideas? Thanks!
 
When you say 24wX2, does that mean each ballast is rated for two 24 watt lamps?

McMaster-Carr has 2X18W ballasts for about $35. Go to the ballasts for compact fluorescent bulbs, it's part #8305K35.
 
Yes, each ballast is for 2 24 watt lamps although I have 2 18's... I;ll check out that page!
 
Yes you most likely can get them from home depot as they sell lighting there and people use flourescents for thier basement and garrages so they probably would have them there. rona.ca has them and it says that you can usully get what's on thier web sight at the store or you can get mail order. I said home depot or something similar as Im'e not sure where your located. You should be able to find them. Idon't think the brand matters as long as the wattage is right.
 
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OK to both of you sounds great! One thing I;m unsure about though... My lights each have a long black cord with a white plastic end on it that sticks into the ballast opening... How are the ballasts you mentioned Mogurnda? It looks like there are separate wires...
 
Depending on the ballast you get, you may have to do a little wiring. Either finding and attaching the right connector, or bypassing the connector and connecting the wires from the fixture to the wires from the ballast.
 
Would it matter if I bought the 24-27 watt ballasts instead and used 18 watt bulbs?? In case I wanted brighter lights at some other time?
 
I have been thinking about that. As I recall, the wattage of a magnetic ballast is matched to the bulb length, so that your 24 watt ballast would have trouble firing 18 watt bulbs. That may be the root of your problem, and using 24-27 watt ballasts may put you into the same situation. However I haven't found a reference where this is spelled out, so I may be misremembering. I just make it a habit to match ballasts and lamps to keep things simple.
 
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