ballast dead?

S

SeaDude

I have a PC retro kit with two 96W square pin lights. I noticed that one of them is not lighting as if the bulb were burned out. But the bulb itself is OK because it will light up when I switch sockets. I also switched with another good bulb and just that one socket will not light. Both sockets are powered by a single Hamilton ballast.

Is it time for a new ballast or is there something else to check here?
 
Definitely study the socket closely, and fix what is bad. You can buy new sockets if all else fails. I used to have to do open socket surgery on my 29g quite often, because they were splashed or condensation would cause problems. I never vented my canopy due to lack of space, and never wanted glass between the lights and the water.

So every couple of months, I was tinkering with them to get 'em working again. Which wasn't hard, especially when you have a good socket to compare it against.
 
I don't see any visible problems.

Have you ever used a volt meter to see if current is making it to the socket?

If so, is it DC or AC?
 
Wow, that is something I've not had to do in a long time. I'm pretty sure it was A/C, and it does something wierd with the 4 pins. You tested it with another bulb, but it didn't light the working one, right?

I took apart the socket a number of times. You want to make sure the copper contacts are in the proper position so that when you push the bulb in, all four make contact fully.

A new socket can't cost much. Is yours :: or .... ?
 
It's a ::

You're right it's AC, Marc. I checked it with a volt meter and it is weird that the voltage is not the same on each pair of pins.

However, the non-functioning side is getting about 25% less power than the working side. In fact, when I put the bulb in there I can see that it is actually lighting it faintly. From this, I guessing that it's indeed the ballast. If the socket were bad, I would get no voltage readings, right?

Where's a good place to buy a new ballast? Is IceCap a reliable brand?

Thanks as always
 
Hamilton and Icecap are both good brands. Hellolights sells ARO ballasts, which I've used but they run really hot. The Hamilton was cool to the touch after being on all day long (11 hours).

I actually have a ballast here that is ARO wired with two long cords and water proof endcaps with the :: configuration. It is new, but looks old because I've had it for 2 years. I had it as my backup.

It powered 2 x 55w (65w) bulbs. I think it won't be good enough for your needs though. My bulbs were 24" bulbs. Yours are 36" right? Darn!
 
Thanks for the offer, Marc. But, yes, I have 36" bulbs.

I guess I'll look at a Hamilton again, 7 years is a good run of it. Plus it'll save me from having to do any rewiring.
 
So I unscrewed the lid to the Hamilton ballast and inside were two WorkHorse 5 ballasts. I replaced the bad one for $35 and I'm back in business.
 
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