TEK Lighting Fixture (1 Viewer)

[breiter3]

I have a TEK 36” 39w x 6 bulb fixture. It was is pretty desperate need of replacement with a couple bulbs already burnt out. I order 6 new bulbs and after installing them the outer 2 would flicker when switched on (although the old bulbs were working fine). I left it off and tried this morning and after a normal startup flicker they were good to go.

The middle 4 either turn on for 30 seconds and then kick off, flicker without starting, or just don’t do anything.

With TEK no longer supporting their aquarium lighting any more I’m at a bit of a loss.

Any and all suggestions appreciated as I’m trying to get my tank back to 100%.

Thank you!


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[Harpeezy]

I have a TEK 36” 39w x 6 bulb fixture. It was is pretty desperate need of replacement with a couple bulbs already burnt out. I order 6 new bulbs and after installing them the outer 2 would flicker when switched on (although the old bulbs were working fine). I left it off and tried this morning and after a normal startup flicker they were good to go.

The middle 4 either turn on for 30 seconds and then kick off, flicker without starting, or just don’t do anything.

With TEK no longer supporting their aquarium lighting any more I’m at a bit of a loss.

Any and all suggestions appreciated as I’m trying to get my tank back to 100%.

Thank you!


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May be the ballast


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[RR-MAN]

Most likely the ballasts but check the end caps to make sure there is good contact with bulbs. Most of the time the cheap end caps crack over time.

Opening the fixture is super simple - and those ballasts are cheap in case you need to replace them.

 

[chris85]

It could be quite a few things... How old is the fixture? It could be endcaps, corroded wires, ballast, etc. Sounds like a ballast problem is there anyway you could get us pictures? I could probably talk you through it or if you want to sign up for a membership with marsh you could drop it off down here and I will try and repair for cost of parts.

 

[breiter3]

Thank you everyone, ballasts seem like they can definitely be a culprit but with 2 of them actin odd then fine 12 hours later and 4 flickering I’m going to try to clean the end caps first.

Any suggestions on the best way to clean them without further damaging anything?

If I end up having to disassemble to troubleshoot then I will definitely include photos.


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[chris85]

Just use a small price of sand paper to rough it up. It may not be the actual terminals but the wires that go to the end caps.

The ballast is probably an old ballast and when they warm up they work fine, but if you let it go like that it will prematurely burn out your new bulbs from the flickering which leave a residue on the chemical etching of the glass and makes the gas inside us less. Well enough random trivia let me know if I can help any further!?!

 

[breiter3]

Just use a small price of sand paper to rough it up. It may not be the actual terminals but the wires that go to the end caps.

The ballast is probably an old ballast and when they warm up they work fine, but if you let it go like that it will prematurely burn out your new bulbs from the flickering which leave a residue on the chemical etching of the glass and makes the gas inside us less. Well enough random trivia let me know if I can help any further!?!

I’m all for random trivia lol. I’ve been very diligent cleaning my reflectors and keeping over spray away, but some in inevitable. The bulbs were probably 2 1/2 years old prior to this replacement (usually in the 12 month range) so I wouldn’t be surprised to find buildup and corrosion.

I was under the impression that ballasts just kind out worked or went out, if they’re in the 7 year old range (and not the source of my current issue) what kind of reduced life span would you expect I’d see from my bulbs?

Appreciate all the assistance.


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[chris85]

Half life maybe never really kept track.

 

[breiter3]

All 6 bulbs are working now that I cleaned up the fixture connections.

Thank you all for the suggestions!

Looks like next on my list in the next month or so is to replace the ballasts because Geissman bulbs aren’t cheap and if I can extend the life of them, all the better.


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