Ballast Issue

Waterbury Guy · 04/09/2012, 12:23 PM

I have (4) T5 bulbs running off of two different ballasts. Timers turn them on at different times of the day independently. Recently, Ballast A will not fire the bulbs, until Ballast B turns on. If I then turn Ballast B off, Ballast A will remain on. Any ideas on why this is happening?

Waterbury Guy · 04/10/2012, 12:46 PM

Bump

ek9vboi · 04/10/2012, 01:03 PM

Not enough info to really help but I'll try. I am going to assume this is a DIY retro kit.

It could be a few things:
Bad wiring
Ballast going bad
Timer crapping out, yes these things go bad and act up.

Have you tried to unplug them from the controller/timer and manually plug them into a wall outlet and then turning them on?

Waterbury Guy · 04/10/2012, 01:16 PM

Yes, it is a retro kit. Have not tried eliminating the timer. Thanks!

ek9vboi · 04/10/2012, 01:27 PM

Yup, if it's a retro then try doing it manually. You have a few other things you can try including checking to make sure all the bulbs work fine. Most importantly, check your wiring considering that it is a DIY kit. Wires get loose, corroded, etc. If you have any of the wires running together connecting the ballasts in any way that can be a problem too.

ek9vboi · 04/10/2012, 01:28 PM

I've subscribed to this thread so I'll be checking up on it. Please update as I would like to know what happens.

Good luck. Make sure if your messing with the wires to unplug it from the outlet first.

Waterbury Guy · 04/10/2012, 01:43 PM

It may be something with the wiring, but I doubt it's the timer (although I will try it without). I have something else that turns on at the same time as Ballast A, and the device turns on without issue.

Waterbury Guy · 04/11/2012, 06:37 AM

removed the timers from the equation, no luck. Nest step will be to remove wiring and bulbs from end caps and rewire.

04/09/2012, 12:23 PM	#1
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Ballast Issue I have (4) T5 bulbs running off of two different ballasts. Timers turn them on at different times of the day independently. Recently, Ballast A will not fire the bulbs, until Ballast B turns on. If I then turn Ballast B off, Ballast A will remain on. Any ideas on why this is happening?

04/10/2012, 12:46 PM	#2
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Bump

04/10/2012, 01:03 PM	#3
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Not enough info to really help but I'll try. I am going to assume this is a DIY retro kit. It could be a few things: Bad wiring Ballast going bad Timer crapping out, yes these things go bad and act up. Have you tried to unplug them from the controller/timer and manually plug them into a wall outlet and then turning them on?

04/10/2012, 01:16 PM	#4
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Yes, it is a retro kit. Have not tried eliminating the timer. Thanks!

04/10/2012, 01:27 PM	#5
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Yup, if it's a retro then try doing it manually. You have a few other things you can try including checking to make sure all the bulbs work fine. Most importantly, check your wiring considering that it is a DIY kit. Wires get loose, corroded, etc. If you have any of the wires running together connecting the ballasts in any way that can be a problem too.

04/10/2012, 01:28 PM	#6
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	I've subscribed to this thread so I'll be checking up on it. Please update as I would like to know what happens. Good luck. Make sure if your messing with the wires to unplug it from the outlet first.

04/10/2012, 01:43 PM	#7
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	It may be something with the wiring, but I doubt it's the timer (although I will try it without). I have something else that turns on at the same time as Ballast A, and the device turns on without issue.

04/11/2012, 06:37 AM	#8
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	removed the timers from the equation, no luck. Nest step will be to remove wiring and bulbs from end caps and rewire.