Lights out... HELP!

chopsuey · 01/07/2009, 11:22 AM

I came home to only one of my 400w MHs being on. I checked everything, even connected another mogul socket and an old bulb thinking that it was the socket. I have come to the conclusion that one side of my PFO dual 400w MH Electronic ballast is burnt out. I can swap the quick disconnect cables and it will fire the other side, so I know itâ€™s a problem with the ballast. I opened the ballast to find two large capacitors one of which has a couple of bulges in it. So I suspect that is where the issue is. I contacted PFO and apparently they no longer manufacture the MH ballasts, they are strictly LED lighting now. The lady on the phone said that it was a common issue with the capacitors, but they did not have any in stock and that they may not get anymore in either. She suggested a company called CED. I called them and they do not sell to the public.

My question is where can I find one of these AEROVOX capacitors for a 400w MH ballast. I need one ASAP as one side of my tank is getting very little light.

LiveRound69 · 01/07/2009, 11:36 AM

I can tell you with confidence that it is most likely the capacitor then since you said it was bulged out . That is a true sign of the component giving out. As far as purchasing the capacitor from the same company that made that 1 ,...good luck....but it is most likely a common component and can be purchased from another supplier. Just compare the specifications on the side of the capacitor and then google it for a possible match. Just because one company made it. doesnt mean that another wont have the comparable item in stock.

chopsuey · 01/07/2009, 11:46 AM

Thanks Live Round!

I hope they are not that expensive. I paid around 300.00 for the ballast.

If anyone can find a website that sells capacitors of this size please let me know. I will continue to google and search but I really need to order a new today if possible.

chopsuey · 01/07/2009, 11:53 AM

Here is a pic of the capacitor

chopsuey · 01/07/2009, 04:34 PM

Bump

chris4869 · 01/07/2009, 04:56 PM

What does it say on the capacitor's label? The transformer for my PC light blew out, and I was fortunate enough to find the company that sell the exact part for fraction of the price that the PC light retailer was selling. I googled the numbers listed on the label of my transformer.

RRaider · 01/07/2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chopsuey
Thanks Live Round!

I hope they are not that expensive. I paid around 300.00 for the ballast.

If anyone can find a website that sells capacitors of this size please let me know. I will continue to google and search but I really need to order a new today if possible.

We can't help you find another capacitor until we know the specs we are looking for.

dwl · 01/07/2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chopsuey
...
I contacted PFO and apparently they no longer manufacture the MH ballasts, they are strictly LED lighting now. The lady on the phone said that it was a common issue with the capacitors, but they did not have any in stock and that they may not get anymore in either. She suggested a company called CED. I called them and they do not sell to the public.
...

I am very disappointed to read that. That is absolutely horrible, no, non-existent customer service. I understand that they have dropped their non-led lighting products, but that does not mean they no longer have any obligation to aid and assist their existing customers, especially when they admit this is a common problem. This is inexcusable and unacceptable, I also own a PFO dual ballast and surely hope I never need anything from them as I will apparently find myself simply out of luck.

OK, end of (that)rant.

Now to show my ignorance, I did not think that electronic ballasts used capacitors, at least I have never heard of anyone ever needing to replace a cap for an electronic, so I assumed they did not use them - yea I know what it means to "assume".

At any rate I am under the impression that the PFO magnetic ballasts used Advance ballasts so the capacitor should not be too difficult to find as has been stated in earlier posts.

As has also been stated above, if you could provide more information on the capacitor you can get some help pretty quickly.

Perhaps if you could also provide the PFO model number of the unit that could also help others help you get this working again.

HTH

edited typos and removed some jibberish

chopsuey · 01/07/2009, 09:34 PM

First I want to thank all of you for the responses.

Yes these pictures are of the Capacitors inside my PFO Dual 400W MH ballast:

Model # AQ2-400MH-120v- 4.0x2amps

To answer some questions, I took a pic of the lable but after reszing it to under 50kbs so the forums would allow it, its not very clear.

The lable reads from left to right:

AEROVOX 0542
226557
24UF 400VAC 60HZ 100Â¡Ã†c MAX
Int.RES. 0.99 MEG Â§Ã™ NO PCBS
4027 -P-V MADE IN USA
Not Protected ACG347

I found a site selling them for 400w MHs but they sell two different kinds one is a 400W Capacitor for M59 Magnetic Ballast, and the other is for 400W Capacitor for M135 Magnetic Ballast.

I dont know which one I would need as they dont have any other info to compare with the label on mine above. Im going to call them in the morning and see if they know for sure which one will work in my ballast. I will post what I learn in the morning. If anyone else wants to chime in feel free as this may become an issue for all of us that have PFO ballasts

dwl · 01/07/2009, 11:12 PM

OK, it sounds to me like it should be an M59 ballast. I would definitely take a look at the information here
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=295
and give them a call and see if they can help you determine exactly what you are looking at and need.

I know there are a lot here that know infinitely more about this than I do, so hopefully they will chime in.

Good luck.

chopsuey · 01/08/2009, 12:28 AM

After reading DWLâ€™s post and doing a little research on my ballast, I believe the M59 Capacitor is what I need.

Ebay auction

I am going to call tomorrow morning to confirm. If so I will post again. Hope they have next day shipping. Iâ€™m running lights one day on one side of the tank and the other side the next, so one side doesnâ€™t get totally neglected.

chopsuey · 01/08/2009, 01:13 PM

I called Hellolights and they did not know if the M59 or the M135 was the right Cap for my ballast. Going to call PFO again today and see if I can get anymore info.

chopsuey · 01/14/2009, 12:43 PM

Just to update anyone following this thread.

I rolled the dice and decided to purchase the M59 over the M135 Cap that Hellolights sells on their website.

last night I received the M59 Capacitor and install was quick and easy. Both 400w MHs fired without issue.

I took some good pics on how to replace the cap. I should have those up tonight.

My fish are so so happy!!

01/07/2009, 11:22 AM	#1
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	Lights out... HELP! I came home to only one of my 400w MHs being on. I checked everything, even connected another mogul socket and an old bulb thinking that it was the socket. I have come to the conclusion that one side of my PFO dual 400w MH Electronic ballast is burnt out. I can swap the quick disconnect cables and it will fire the other side, so I know itâ€™s a problem with the ballast. I opened the ballast to find two large capacitors one of which has a couple of bulges in it. So I suspect that is where the issue is. I contacted PFO and apparently they no longer manufacture the MH ballasts, they are strictly LED lighting now. The lady on the phone said that it was a common issue with the capacitors, but they did not have any in stock and that they may not get anymore in either. She suggested a company called CED. I called them and they do not sell to the public. My question is where can I find one of these AEROVOX capacitors for a 400w MH ballast. I need one ASAP as one side of my tank is getting very little light.

01/07/2009, 11:36 AM	#2
LiveRound69 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KY USA Posts: 183	I can tell you with confidence that it is most likely the capacitor then since you said it was bulged out . That is a true sign of the component giving out. As far as purchasing the capacitor from the same company that made that 1 ,...good luck....but it is most likely a common component and can be purchased from another supplier. Just compare the specifications on the side of the capacitor and then google it for a possible match. Just because one company made it. doesnt mean that another wont have the comparable item in stock. __________________ LR69 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon Reef

01/07/2009, 09:34 PM	#9
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	First I want to thank all of you for the responses. Yes these pictures are of the Capacitors inside my PFO Dual 400W MH ballast: Model # AQ2-400MH-120v- 4.0x2amps To answer some questions, I took a pic of the lable but after reszing it to under 50kbs so the forums would allow it, its not very clear. The lable reads from left to right: AEROVOX 0542 226557 24UF 400VAC 60HZ 100Â¡Ã†c MAX Int.RES. 0.99 MEG Â§Ã™ NO PCBS 4027 -P-V MADE IN USA Not Protected ACG347 I found a site selling them for 400w MHs but they sell two different kinds one is a 400W Capacitor for M59 Magnetic Ballast, and the other is for 400W Capacitor for M135 Magnetic Ballast. I dont know which one I would need as they dont have any other info to compare with the label on mine above. Im going to call them in the morning and see if they know for sure which one will work in my ballast. I will post what I learn in the morning. If anyone else wants to chime in feel free as this may become an issue for all of us that have PFO ballasts Last edited by chopsuey; 01/07/2009 at 09:40 PM.

01/07/2009, 11:46 AM	#3
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	Thanks Live Round! I hope they are not that expensive. I paid around 300.00 for the ballast. If anyone can find a website that sells capacitors of this size please let me know. I will continue to google and search but I really need to order a new today if possible.

01/07/2009, 11:53 AM	#4
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	Here is a pic of the capacitor

01/07/2009, 04:34 PM	#5
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	Bump

01/07/2009, 04:56 PM	#6
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	What does it say on the capacitor's label? The transformer for my PC light blew out, and I was fortunate enough to find the company that sell the exact part for fraction of the price that the PC light retailer was selling. I googled the numbers listed on the label of my transformer.

01/07/2009, 11:12 PM	#10
dwl Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: mission viejo Posts: 524	OK, it sounds to me like it should be an M59 ballast. I would definitely take a look at the information here http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=295 and give them a call and see if they can help you determine exactly what you are looking at and need. I know there are a lot here that know infinitely more about this than I do, so hopefully they will chime in. Good luck.

01/08/2009, 12:28 AM	#11
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	After reading DWLâ€™s post and doing a little research on my ballast, I believe the M59 Capacitor is what I need. Ebay auction I am going to call tomorrow morning to confirm. If so I will post again. Hope they have next day shipping. Iâ€™m running lights one day on one side of the tank and the other side the next, so one side doesnâ€™t get totally neglected.

01/08/2009, 01:13 PM	#12
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	I called Hellolights and they did not know if the M59 or the M135 was the right Cap for my ballast. Going to call PFO again today and see if I can get anymore info.

01/14/2009, 12:43 PM	#13
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	Just to update anyone following this thread. I rolled the dice and decided to purchase the M59 over the M135 Cap that Hellolights sells on their website. last night I received the M59 Capacitor and install was quick and easy. Both 400w MHs fired without issue. I took some good pics on how to replace the cap. I should have those up tonight. My fish are so so happy!!