T5 electrical conundrum

techreef · 10/03/2006, 11:28 AM

I currently cannot run my two T5 ballasts at the same time. If they run simultaneously, my Shockbuster will trip, killing the power. The ballasts are the IceCap 660 and whatever ballast comes w/ the Sunlight Supply Tek retro 2-bulb kit.

My first guess was that I was running too many amps through my Shockbuster GFCI. (Rated for 15A, I was hovering around 12A) So I bought a second Shockbuster and plugged one of the ballasts into each GFCI. Note that both Shockbusters are on the same electrical circuit running through the wall. Separating the ballasts' GFCI's did not fix the problem. The GFCI serving the Tek ballast still trips as soon as both lights are running together. (ie, the Tek kit will be running for 3 hours, and right after the IC kit turns on, the GFCI serving the Tek ballast trips off. The GFCI serving the IC kit (and numerous other appliances too, IMA) never trips now that I've unplugged the Tek ballast from it.

What gives? If the Tek ballast was generating too much "noise," and thereby tripping the GFCI, why does it run fine by itself? It only trips the GFCI when both light kits are running simultaneously. I'd really like to figure this out, because I can't run my actinic bulbs all day long like I want to. I also don't like spooking the tank by the full-on noon bulbs snapping on by themselves all of a sudden. I'd prefer the soft progression of actinic->actinic/full noon->actinic->all turned off.

Any electricians out there??

techreef · 10/03/2006, 12:31 PM

Does anyone have any alternative suggestions on how I can fix this?

MinibowMatt · 10/03/2006, 12:39 PM

put them on seperate circuits. GFCI both, if you want. It sounds like the GFCI may be one on the cheaper side.. how many amps is it rated for?

techreef · 10/03/2006, 02:15 PM

both GFCI's are Shockbuster pluggable GFCIs. Both rated for 15A. I don't think that's the problem. Ideally I would put them on separate circuits, but that will involve some serious construction, as 1)i'm in an apartment, 2)our circuit breaker box is filled to capacity already, including several split breakers and 3)I'd have to run the wiring for the new circuit up and around some doors, in either the ceiling or floor, both of which are solid concrete. Not fun to cut channels in...

Maybe I'll go buy a noise filter and install it between the Tek ballast and its GFCI. I guess that's my next step.

10/03/2006, 11:28 AM	#1
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	T5 electrical conundrum I currently cannot run my two T5 ballasts at the same time. If they run simultaneously, my Shockbuster will trip, killing the power. The ballasts are the IceCap 660 and whatever ballast comes w/ the Sunlight Supply Tek retro 2-bulb kit. My first guess was that I was running too many amps through my Shockbuster GFCI. (Rated for 15A, I was hovering around 12A) So I bought a second Shockbuster and plugged one of the ballasts into each GFCI. Note that both Shockbusters are on the same electrical circuit running through the wall. Separating the ballasts' GFCI's did not fix the problem. The GFCI serving the Tek ballast still trips as soon as both lights are running together. (ie, the Tek kit will be running for 3 hours, and right after the IC kit turns on, the GFCI serving the Tek ballast trips off. The GFCI serving the IC kit (and numerous other appliances too, IMA) never trips now that I've unplugged the Tek ballast from it. What gives? If the Tek ballast was generating too much "noise," and thereby tripping the GFCI, why does it run fine by itself? It only trips the GFCI when both light kits are running simultaneously. I'd really like to figure this out, because I can't run my actinic bulbs all day long like I want to. I also don't like spooking the tank by the full-on noon bulbs snapping on by themselves all of a sudden. I'd prefer the soft progression of actinic->actinic/full noon->actinic->all turned off. Any electricians out there??

10/03/2006, 12:39 PM	#3
MinibowMatt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In Another Times Forgotten Space Posts: 3,389	put them on seperate circuits. GFCI both, if you want. It sounds like the GFCI may be one on the cheaper side.. how many amps is it rated for? __________________ ----------------------- Matt Prop & Save! "Sure dont know what I'm going for, but I'm gonna go for it for sure!"

10/03/2006, 12:31 PM	#2
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	Does anyone have any alternative suggestions on how I can fix this?

10/03/2006, 02:15 PM	#4
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	both GFCI's are Shockbuster pluggable GFCIs. Both rated for 15A. I don't think that's the problem. Ideally I would put them on separate circuits, but that will involve some serious construction, as 1)i'm in an apartment, 2)our circuit breaker box is filled to capacity already, including several split breakers and 3)I'd have to run the wiring for the new circuit up and around some doors, in either the ceiling or floor, both of which are solid concrete. Not fun to cut channels in... Maybe I'll go buy a noise filter and install it between the Tek ballast and its GFCI. I guess that's my next step.