[Prev][Next][Index]
Re:Electronic ballast problem
-
To: Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
-
Subject: Re:Electronic ballast problem
-
From: ian.mcpherson.cnv844 at nt_com
-
Date: Fri, 15 Mar 1996 14:14:00 +0000
-
X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2)
-
X400-MTS-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.135:15.02.96.14.15.07]
-
X400-Originator: ian.mcpherson.cnv844 at nt_com
-
X400-Received: by mta NT.COM in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Fri, 15 Mar 1996 14:30:15 +0000
-
X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Fri, 15 Mar 1996 14:15:07 +0000
-
X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Fri, 15 Mar 1996 14:14:00 +0000
-
X400-Recipients: non-disclosure:;
Daniel wrote Wed, Mar. 13 (Digest #329)
>Hello!
> I'm just setting up a 30g tank, and I foolishly bought two 20w
>(24") tubes and an electronic ballast to power them, even though I don't
>know much about fluorescent lighting. I hooked up the ballast
>(Coralife/Energy Savers Double Wizard T-12 kit) and lights (one 20w Triton
>and one 20w Beauty Light) according to the box instructions, but the lights
>won't light up reliably. Sometimes I can get both lights to come on if I
>rub just one of the bulbs with my finger-- as if the electric field in the
>bulbs is almost, but not quite, strong enough to get things going. What's
>going on? What might I be doing wrong?
Paul K. responded (Digest #333) with some good points on making sure
that there is a grounded metal surface parallel and near to the bulbs.
In addition to this I have also experienced a similar problem with my
fluorescent shop light fixtures. Every morning I would have to touch
the bulbs to get them to start. I tried adding strips of copper tape to
beef up the grounding of the metal fixture, soldering all connections and
even adding a piece of copper tape that went from the fixture to the bulb
surface. None of these attempts worked.
My wife and I left this half functioning setup over Christmas and had a near
disasster when the ground fault breaker tripped and killed all the power
to the tank. We came home to a bunch of limp plants and shivering fish.
With a little investigation I determined that it was the lights that
were causing the GFI to trip. I guess that the lights didn't like
having water dripping from all of their surfaces (just a small
humidity problem). I now have a fan in my hood that comes on about 1/2
hour before the lights do to dry things out. I haven't had a problem with
getting the lights to start by themselves since.
I hope this helps!
Ian McPherson Belleville, Ontario, Canada
ian.mcpherson at nt_com