has my ballast died?

[rhino509]

so ive had the light setup for around 2 years.the front power compact bulb has recently quit working.so i took the bulb out and put the rear bulb to it to see if it was the bulb,it wasnt.the bulb did flicker for like 2 days previous.i had turned it off for a day,then it quit flickering for a day,then it came back,then it stopped working.

i have the current orbit light fixture,2x150 duel end halides and 2x 130 power compact actinics,6 moonlights.

there any other way to know for sure if the ballast has died other than the bulb not working?
(i already put a different bulb in it to see if it was the bulb,it wasnt.)

[WaterKeeper]

Does it use two ballasts for the PC's? That would be most unusual for just two PC tubes. Your fixture will have a ballast for the MH and possibly a tiny one to run the moonlights. The PC will have their own separate ballast(s). If it is just one I would suspect the endcaps are corroded or broken on the non-functioning lamp. I'd try cleaning or replacing those first.

[skippy2]

Sounds like it could possibly be a blown socket.

[ronin_man]

if you have an electrical multi meter or circuit tester you could check that way. you could try cleaning the sockets too, but it does sound like a ballast.

[rhino509]

power compacts have sockets? i thought it was just the one plug on the end. they are clean as can be,they are behind plastic sheilds.

[skippy2]

Sorry!!! What do I know? I just assumed all lights had sockets. I've only ever used MH.

[WaterKeeper]

Ah, but we are dealing with seawater here. It can corrode wires in a jiffy. If one PC light works and the other doesn't then I would not replace a common ballast until I replaced the non-working lamp's endcaps first. As I said, it is unusual for a failed ballast to light one lamp but not the other. Endcaps are cheap and you can pick them up at Lowe's. If that doesn't work THEN replace the ballast.

[rhino509]

k,well ill definitely take another look at the connector wire to the power compact and see if its corroded.and if its not ill take the fixture down until i can see what type of ballast setup it has.

as i has stated(not trying to be rude,just a reminder,the lights,and connections are behind plastic so saltwater doesnt get into the light area.and the power compacts dont have end caps,they have the 4 prong plug)

BUT,like you said,if one light isnt working then the other shouldnt be either.

[rhino509]

so,i just pulled apart the fixtures case and it appears it doesn have separate ballasts for each of the power compact bulbs.so i can only imagine the ballast went out.

if thats the case i was wondering.my lfs has told me that t5s are cheaper, more efficient,and put out more light,could i just swap out the ballsts and retro in some t5s?

i know,prolly a different thread,but thanks all that replied.

[WaterKeeper]

Then four prong connectors are known as endcaps and some are shielded against water and other are not. Depends on what you order. It is not only corrosion but heat can cause a failure if it creates a crack in the insulation.

It is possible that the ballast has two starter circuits and one has failed. That means replacing the ballast but it costs far more than fixing a failed connector, endcap.