Light troubleshooting

My 29 gallon reef lighting system is lit with two VHO flourescents with an
icecap ballast. Today, I came home to find the lights not working. When I
flicked the switch off and then on again, one bulb TRIED to light (barely
producing any light) then went out after no morethen a second or two. The
other bulb never lit at all. Question is, what do I change? Both bulbs? The
bulb that never lit? The one that tried to light but failed? The ballast?
Anyone know any way to test the ballast to make sure it is working? Bulbs
are expensive and I don;t wantto spend more then I have to. But a ballast is
worse so I certainly don;t wantto replace that unless I KNOW it is bad. Any
suggestions?

Doug

i'd suggest the one that didnt fire at all as a good start.

kc

"Doug and Lois" wrote in message
. ..
My 29 gallon reef lighting system is lit with two VHO flourescents with an
icecap ballast. Today, I came home to find the lights not working. When I
flicked the switch off and then on again, one bulb TRIED to light (barely
producing any light) then went out after no morethen a second or two. The
other bulb never lit at all. Question is, what do I change? Both bulbs?
The
bulb that never lit? The one that tried to light but failed? The ballast?
Anyone know any way to test the ballast to make sure it is working? Bulbs
are expensive and I don;t wantto spend more then I have to. But a ballast
is
worse so I certainly don;t wantto replace that unless I KNOW it is bad.
Any
suggestions?

Doug

Hi Doug,

If you have anyone in your area, borrow their Icecap and plug it into your setup
to see if the bulbs fire. If they do, the ballast (yours) is bad. Icecap's
warranty is good for three (??) years. Maybe two.. Hmmm. Mine failed similar to
what you said, but I shipped it to them and they repaired MY ballast and sent it
back.

In the meantime I bought a used one from a local reefer, so I have a backup.

You could also take the ballast in to your LFS and have them plug it into one of
their setups to see if the bulbs come to life.

Marc


Doug and Lois wrote:

My 29 gallon reef lighting system is lit with two VHO flourescents with an
icecap ballast. Today, I came home to find the lights not working. When I
flicked the switch off and then on again, one bulb TRIED to light (barely
producing any light) then went out after no morethen a second or two. The
other bulb never lit at all. Question is, what do I change? Both bulbs? The
bulb that never lit? The one that tried to light but failed? The ballast?
Anyone know any way to test the ballast to make sure it is working? Bulbs
are expensive and I don;t wantto spend more then I have to. But a ballast is
worse so I certainly don;t wantto replace that unless I KNOW it is bad. Any
suggestions?

Doug

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