God, I'm an idiot!

nebraskareef · 03/25/2006, 03:22 PM

I needed 2 replacment 175w magnetic ballasts. I was trying to go the cheapest route possible, and ordered 2 on ebay. I get the ballasts, and they are 480v! Then I re-read the [advert] and sure enough, 480v. I guess I read the listing too fast when I knew I could save a little money, and just caught the "they are selling the MULTI TAP ballast for $63 at another online store!" or whatever it said.

So now, I have my ballasts, and I can't use them, and I'm not sure I'll be able to return them, as no return policy is listed on the auction.

Remeber to check the numbers folks, I didn't.

Daniel

ReefNeck · 03/25/2006, 03:27 PM

It appears to be an honest seller judging by their feedback so I would send them a "Question" from the auction page and explain what happened. Most good sellers are understanding and willing to work with you.

I have a "No Returns" disclaimer on my auctions and just recently sold a stick of Ram to someone that was mislabled by the manufactuer and was not what I sold it as. Since this was not my fault or the buyers fault I accepted them as a return and refunded his purchase price. I did not refund the shipping costs of course but the rest was the least I could do since it was not what he needed or what it was labled as.

Good Luck with it.

nebraskareef · 03/25/2006, 03:32 PM

Thank you, Have emailed the seller. I shall let everyone know how it turns out.

The whole non stated return policy has me worried though. Hell, I'd even pay a handsome re-stocking fee on this. Hopefully I'll have a good course of resolution.

cmhollis · 03/25/2006, 04:20 PM

Have you checked to ensure that what you bought wasn't a multi-tap ballast? Open it up to check that there isn't 3 other wires labelled 120v, 208v, and 277v.

Many ballasts are set up this way.

Good luck,

Mike

nebraskareef · 03/25/2006, 04:31 PM

Indeed, The boxes were actually open when I got them. 480v is the only one.

fio1022 · 03/25/2006, 06:40 PM

If your stuck with it, maybe you can find a transformer for it

nebraskareef · 03/25/2006, 06:52 PM

Thats what I was thinking. From my initial quick look-see on google, anything that can step down 480 to 120 is a big chunk of change. I'm still crossing my fingers for a refund

cmhollis · 03/25/2006, 06:52 PM

A step-up transformer is not a bad idea. I would think you could find a 120 - 480 step-up xformer for a decent price since it doesn't have to be rated for a ton of current.

Check around on-line, you should find one.

Mike

DHyslop · 03/25/2006, 07:52 PM

You could also try putting it back up on eBay. Were you the only person that bid on it?

Dan

nebraskareef · 03/25/2006, 08:03 PM

Indeed.

There is not much of a market for 480v ballasts, I'm affraid.

nebraskareef · 03/28/2006, 01:43 PM

Daniel,

I checked to see if we even have any of the multi taps in stock, and you're in luck. We do have a couple of the multi tap versions available. However, we don't have the capacitors for them, but the caps you received with the 480V are the same for these multi tap units. Also, one of the labels on the mutli tap ballast is a little messed up, but you are able to read everything and it's all in tact.

We are willing to exchange the units for you with shipping at your expense. These fit in the USPS flat rate boxes, and that is the cheapest way to ship these. If you would just ship the ballasts only back to us, we will send you two of the multi tap units. All you have to do is keep the capacitor. So, all you need to do is send us the ballasts and a check for $8.10 to cover return shipping costs and we will take care of it for you. Let us know if that will work for you. Thanks!

-Mike

So it worked out in the end. Thank god I didn't have to eat this mistake!

Daniel

twkenny · 03/28/2006, 03:32 PM

That's pretty cool.

03/25/2006, 03:22 PM	#1
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	God, I'm an idiot! I needed 2 replacment 175w magnetic ballasts. I was trying to go the cheapest route possible, and ordered 2 on ebay. I get the ballasts, and they are 480v! Then I re-read the [advert] and sure enough, 480v. I guess I read the listing too fast when I knew I could save a little money, and just caught the "they are selling the MULTI TAP ballast for $63 at another online store!" or whatever it said. So now, I have my ballasts, and I can't use them, and I'm not sure I'll be able to return them, as no return policy is listed on the auction. Remeber to check the numbers folks, I didn't. Daniel __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar." Last edited by Markk96; 03/28/2006 at 02:46 PM.

03/25/2006, 03:32 PM	#3
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	Thank you, Have emailed the seller. I shall let everyone know how it turns out. The whole non stated return policy has me worried though. Hell, I'd even pay a handsome re-stocking fee on this. Hopefully I'll have a good course of resolution. __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."

03/25/2006, 04:20 PM	#4
cmhollis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ledyard, CT Posts: 1,226	Have you checked to ensure that what you bought wasn't a multi-tap ballast? Open it up to check that there isn't 3 other wires labelled 120v, 208v, and 277v. Many ballasts are set up this way. Good luck, Mike __________________ "These mist covered mountains, are a home now for me, but my home is the lowlands, and always will be." - Dire Straits Yes Amy, I am on the national marrow registry. Current Tank Info: 120g In-wall, MR3 skimmer w/ Blueline HD70, ACIII controller, CR3 calcium reactor, Sequence 5800 CLS via OM 4-way, Sequence 3200 return, 2 - 250W 10K MH, 1 - 150W 20K MH, 4 - 110W VHO Actinics

03/25/2006, 04:31 PM	#5
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	Indeed, The boxes were actually open when I got them. 480v is the only one. __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."

03/25/2006, 06:40 PM	#6
fio1022 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,557	If your stuck with it, maybe you can find a transformer for it __________________ its all about time,space,and money Current Tank Info: 240g,64g acrylic sump/fuge.

03/25/2006, 03:27 PM	#2
ReefNeck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Posts: 543	It appears to be an honest seller judging by their feedback so I would send them a "Question" from the auction page and explain what happened. Most good sellers are understanding and willing to work with you. I have a "No Returns" disclaimer on my auctions and just recently sold a stick of Ram to someone that was mislabled by the manufactuer and was not what I sold it as. Since this was not my fault or the buyers fault I accepted them as a return and refunded his purchase price. I did not refund the shipping costs of course but the rest was the least I could do since it was not what he needed or what it was labled as. Good Luck with it.

03/25/2006, 06:52 PM	#7
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	Thats what I was thinking. From my initial quick look-see on google, anything that can step down 480 to 120 is a big chunk of change. I'm still crossing my fingers for a refund __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."

03/25/2006, 07:52 PM	#9
DHyslop Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,085	You could also try putting it back up on eBay. Were you the only person that bid on it? Dan

03/25/2006, 08:03 PM	#10
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	Indeed. There is not much of a market for 480v ballasts, I'm affraid. __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."

03/28/2006, 01:43 PM	#11
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	Daniel, I checked to see if we even have any of the multi taps in stock, and you're in luck. We do have a couple of the multi tap versions available. However, we don't have the capacitors for them, but the caps you received with the 480V are the same for these multi tap units. Also, one of the labels on the mutli tap ballast is a little messed up, but you are able to read everything and it's all in tact. We are willing to exchange the units for you with shipping at your expense. These fit in the USPS flat rate boxes, and that is the cheapest way to ship these. If you would just ship the ballasts only back to us, we will send you two of the multi tap units. All you have to do is keep the capacitor. So, all you need to do is send us the ballasts and a check for $8.10 to cover return shipping costs and we will take care of it for you. Let us know if that will work for you. Thanks! -Mike So it worked out in the end. Thank god I didn't have to eat this mistake! Daniel __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."

03/28/2006, 03:32 PM	#12
twkenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sunny South Posts: 1,081	That's pretty cool.