Dodgy ballast or light fixture?

[elsooto]

I've had some issues lately with my power kicking out when my light turns on. 400w nanolux digital ballast, adjustawing hood and fixture. Ballast turns on 21 times a week and in the last week it's kicked the safety switch about 10 times. When I turn the safety switch back it comes back on fine. Thought the ballast might be on it's way out (about 4 yrs old with plenty of use) but when removing the light an shade I noticed a slight burn mark on the lamp holder close to where the cord connects. Anyone had experience with this?.. dunno to replace the ballast or fixture?


Not electrical minded so any help appreciated ✌

 

[Porky]

Yeah that's not good! Would be burnt out inside. @Micmac aka sistermary is a sparky he'll know!

 

[Sedge]

I would open it up and check the connections,,and cut the lead back from where it got hot.

 

[Indy]

Yeah, worth a look. Could be a easy fix as sedge said, if the terminals haven't been fried, etc..

 

[Madmick]

Looks like that's been getting very warm

Check for a lose connection

 

[3combs]

If you can cut the lead off that lamp holder, trim back and rewire it. Otherwise best to just plug a new lamp holder one into your ballast. Ballast should be fine.

 

[Aye Shroomer]

If you cut the cord just remember which wire connects to which terminal

 

[elsooto]

Cheers everyone, I'll open it up tonight an have a look. Had to bring the old blurple viparspectra out of retirement until I get this sorted, luckily the plant is only a few weeks old

 

[elsooto]

If you cut the cord just remember which wire connects to which terminal

Yeah will do

 

[Indy]

When you do, mate. Just take note of the length of the cables of what's already there before you cut it. That way when you re-wire it, everything should be a snug fit again when it goes back together.

Also, don't forget to take pictures of it as you're pulling it down, so you know where it's all meant to go when reassembling.

 

[elsooto]

When you do, mate. Just take note of the length of the cables of what's already there before you cut it. That way when you re-wire it, everything should be a snug fit again when it goes back together.

Also, don't forget to take pictures of it as you're pulling it down, so you know where it's all meant to go when reassembling.

Good tips.. thanks Indy

 

[elsooto]

So I ended up opening up the lamp holder for a look the other night. Looked pretty tidy in there, I even unscrewed the ceramic part where the bulb screws in and checked the connections behind that and they were all good as well. Ended up cutting that burnt looking bit of cord back and joining the wires with crimp connectors.

Tested the light and tripped the safety switch again. So I took the cover off the ballast. the 2 black parts on the right side are like heatsinks, and the bunch of wires to the left was sitting on top of the heatsinks (I'm guessing it was assembled like this?)

You can just see the burn mark on the heatsink in the above pic, but a bit more obvious when I looked at the inside of the cover that was above those wires

There was a bit of dust build up inside, I ended up blowing it out and gave all the connections a spray with contact cleaner. I tested again and got it to fire up around 6-7 times all good but started tripping power again after that.
Looks like I'm after a new ballast

 

[puggle6]

Sounds like it's telling you! I've got 2 I don't think is worth using again due to age and time already served.

 

[Indy]

Yeah, bin job.

 

[Billygoat]

I would have binned that (or sought warranty) straight off the bat.

 

[elsooto]

Yeah it's been binned. Looking at lumatek for a replacement, seems they have a good rep

 

[3combs]

I was wrong, cactus ballast.