175watt SE hamilton ballast replacement

Krazy · 07/14/2007, 10:10 AM

Bought a 72" Hamilton Fixture...

Its the 3x175 SE Mogul with 2x160 VHO unit...

The seller tells me the metal halides dont work at all but the VHO's do..

With that being said, how do I know if the ballasts are bad or just the capacitor's?

Should I just go ahead and order 3 replacement ballasts and capacitors from hamilton? They have the transformer and capacitors for $59.95 each that I can wire myself into the original metal ballast box from hamilton..

What do you guys/gals suggest to me ??

Any tests to confirm its ballasts or capacitors??

Thanks in advance !

Keith

Entropy · 07/14/2007, 10:45 AM

It has to be something else. IMO there is not way three metal halide ballasts all go bad at the same time. Is there individual power wires (wall to ballast) for each?

Krazy · 07/14/2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Entropy
It has to be something else. IMO there is not way three metal halide ballasts all go bad at the same time. Is there individual power wires (wall to ballast) for each?

I'm not sure as I didnt get the unit yet, supposted to get it tommorow am then I can play and tinker with it, From what I was told all 3 ballasts are in 1 metal box, then another ballast box for the VHO's..

I thought it was weird myself for 3 to not work, could they be wired in a sequence as to where if one blows out the others wouldnt work ??

I will post more details as I get the unit and can play with it...

Entropy · 07/14/2007, 11:11 AM

The only thing I can think of is that the switches are bad, or the power wire from wall to ballast is bad. Each ballast is usually completely independent from the others, so worst case you lose one (unless the box burned up or something). Maybe the seller just knows very little about wiring and it is something simple. Anyway, no point in planning until you have the unit in front of you and know what you are dealing with.

Krazy · 07/14/2007, 11:23 AM

The seller backed out, I'm not gettin it now..

07/14/2007, 10:10 AM	#1
Krazy Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 2,941	175watt SE hamilton ballast replacement Bought a 72" Hamilton Fixture... Its the 3x175 SE Mogul with 2x160 VHO unit... The seller tells me the metal halides dont work at all but the VHO's do.. With that being said, how do I know if the ballasts are bad or just the capacitor's? Should I just go ahead and order 3 replacement ballasts and capacitors from hamilton? They have the transformer and capacitors for $59.95 each that I can wire myself into the original metal ballast box from hamilton.. What do you guys/gals suggest to me ?? Any tests to confirm its ballasts or capacitors?? Thanks in advance ! Keith

07/14/2007, 10:45 AM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	It has to be something else. IMO there is not way three metal halide ballasts all go bad at the same time. Is there individual power wires (wall to ballast) for each? __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

07/14/2007, 11:11 AM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	The only thing I can think of is that the switches are bad, or the power wire from wall to ballast is bad. Each ballast is usually completely independent from the others, so worst case you lose one (unless the box burned up or something). Maybe the seller just knows very little about wiring and it is something simple. Anyway, no point in planning until you have the unit in front of you and know what you are dealing with. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

07/14/2007, 11:23 AM	#5
Krazy Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 2,941	The seller backed out, I'm not gettin it now..