Anyone an Electrician? (1 Viewer)

[DonnieKim]

I bought a light setup which has 2 175w MH's and 2 110w VHO's.
Everything worked fine the first day I used them. The next day the VHO's wont come on and I checked the ballast but the black metal enclosure it is mounted in is riveted so I cant open it. I'm thinking about drilling out the rivets to access it. But what am I going to do once I access the ballast? :?
Anyone know anything about them? Other than "send it in"?

Thanks
Donnie

 

[Abe77901]

do you have a volt meter to test all connections before you "break" into anything. Just to trouble shoot all ends...

 

[DonnieKim]

No Abe I don't but that's a good idea before I tear it up

 

[Guest]

the fixture is brand new right, are the lamps new?
sometimes new ballast can burn out older lamps, so check lamps. are the VHO switched, switch could be bad. but then again have seen brand new ballast that were bad too. there could always be a loose connection somewhere too. follow Abe's advice and check it with volt meter before tearing apart. If you tear it apart you might not be able to return or get repaired.

 

[AggieBrandon]

yeah I would do as Abe said and test what you can without opening the case. Make sure the outlet or timer they are plugged into is working so you know the ballast is getting power. If there isn't any power after the ballast going to the bulbs then you probably have a bad ballast. If that is the case then you would be better off getting them to replace the unit or ballast for you. Unless you don't mind spending the extra money on a new ballast and voiding the rest of your warranty.

B

 

[DonnieKim]

Ok the light set up is used and of an indeterminate age, so no warranty on this. It is/was plugged into a working powersource. I need to get a voltmeter to check like you said the power output of the ballast to see if I'm getting anything there before I tear into it. AC was kind enough to offer a rivet gun to put it back together if need be, (Thanks AC). I just wish I was more knowledgeable about this kind of thing

Thanks All
(and AC I probably will be calling you! Thanks Again)

 

[AggieBrandon]

Yeah you need to check to see if the ballast is sending any power out. It sounds like your ballast is dead. If the set up is still being made you can probably find a replacement ballast somewhere online. Good Luck

B

 

[DonnieKim]

Yeah I need to find out who the manufacturer is and go online and check it out

 

[AggieBrandon]

If not you could try to find a similar ballast that will fit in the enclosure. Or you could always use a different ballast and hook it up apart from the setup.

B

 

[DonnieKim]

The thing is I have another IceCap Ballast but is is not like the existing Ballast
The existing ballast has a plug which looks like a computer pin style plug on it that screws together on each side. Anyone know how to wire this up?

 

[Guest]

wire it up

without looking at it or ever have seeing one before. it seem that all the wire should be color coded or be traced back to the sockets or/and ballast. cut the plug loose from the wires, then connect those wires back into the other ballast wires. ballast usually have some sort of wiring drawing on them. this should get it up and running if the ballast was bad. plus leave enough wire on the plug that you cut loose just in case you ever need to use that plug again.

 

[Guest]

you have two icecap ballasts right? what are the part numbers? would like to find a wiring drawing to see if i can talk you thru this if you have not figured it out yet.

 

[Guest]

icecapinc.com has a great wiring diagram with color codes for the 430: 2-lamp and 660: 2-lamp ballast. if you had the 430 and wanted to install the 660. the only mod i see is replacing the 430 with 660 the gray wire cut and tie into one of the yellow wires from the ballast. then tie the other gray wire into the orange wire. make sure both yellow wire go to the same lamp and same for the orange wire.
that is if i am correct with the ballast types.

 

[DonnieKim]

Thanks Again Alan for all of your help and patience!
It was a pleasure to meet you! Too bad more reefers aren't as outgoing and helpful!
Feel free to call me anytime you need help or anything!

Donnie

 

[Guest]

Donnie,

It was nice to see how your set up was built. gave me ideals and i will problem play around with building one sometime, when i find the time. would like to build one with moon lights and maybe a cheap ZEN programable controller to turn on and off lights automatic. once i get a good design that i like i will give you a call and let you see it.

AC

 

[DonnieKim]

When you get ready to do it maybe I can help so I can learn more about the electrical end of things!?

Thanks Again
Donnie