PC Lighting - How Hot???

SaltyDr · 04/10/2007, 01:53 PM

I got used two Custom Sea Life 2x96W PC light sets. Just set them up with new bulbs (2 10K and 2 50/50) and it got VERY hot. The ballasts were almost too hot to touch and the metal reflectors under the bulbs actually burned me when I touched it. The top of the canopy also get very warm to the touch. Please let me know if this is normal. I unplugged them and quickly turned everything off. Let me know if I need new lights. I would actually like T5 lights but don't know if I can retrofit them in my wood canopy. It is only 6 1/2 inches high. Please help a newbie out!

clownin'round · 04/10/2007, 01:58 PM

are these retros and do you have any fans mounted into the canopy?

SaltyDr · 04/10/2007, 02:02 PM

Yes they are retros and no there is no fan. The lights had only been on for about 45 minutes before I turned them off.

chacha · 04/10/2007, 02:04 PM

PC's will tend to be warmer then a standard flour. but it sounds like you are talking MH hot. I would think there is a problem, poss. with the balast or the wiring.

clownin'round · 04/10/2007, 02:08 PM

you will need to cut a hole into your canopy and install a fan or two to disperse heat. i have a small pc light for my sump(2x9watt) and it gets very hot because there is no fan.

papagimp · 04/10/2007, 03:52 PM

I agree, get some fans and/or air circulation around the lights and ballast. Sounds like their fine, just heating up due to lack of ventilation. Ever try to unscrew a normal light bulb while it's still on, they can be pretty hot too. And any reflector you have next to the bulb will be warm as well.

04/10/2007, 01:53 PM	#1
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	PC Lighting - How Hot??? I got used two Custom Sea Life 2x96W PC light sets. Just set them up with new bulbs (2 10K and 2 50/50) and it got VERY hot. The ballasts were almost too hot to touch and the metal reflectors under the bulbs actually burned me when I touched it. The top of the canopy also get very warm to the touch. Please let me know if this is normal. I unplugged them and quickly turned everything off. Let me know if I need new lights. I would actually like T5 lights but don't know if I can retrofit them in my wood canopy. It is only 6 1/2 inches high. Please help a newbie out!

04/10/2007, 02:04 PM	#4
chacha Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 50	PC's will tend to be warmer then a standard flour. but it sounds like you are talking MH hot. I would think there is a problem, poss. with the balast or the wiring. __________________ 75g Reef; 30g Fuge/Sump 2-150W HQI 14K;2-96W Actinic (Main) 1-96W 50/50 (Fuge) Current Tank Info: 75g reef; 30g Refugium

04/10/2007, 03:52 PM	#6
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	I agree, get some fans and/or air circulation around the lights and ballast. Sounds like their fine, just heating up due to lack of ventilation. Ever try to unscrew a normal light bulb while it's still on, they can be pretty hot too. And any reflector you have next to the bulb will be warm as well. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

04/10/2007, 01:58 PM	#2
clownin'round Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 61	are these retros and do you have any fans mounted into the canopy?

04/10/2007, 02:02 PM	#3
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	Yes they are retros and no there is no fan. The lights had only been on for about 45 minutes before I turned them off.

04/10/2007, 02:08 PM	#5
clownin'round Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 61	you will need to cut a hole into your canopy and install a fan or two to disperse heat. i have a small pc light for my sump(2x9watt) and it gets very hot because there is no fan.