Florecsent Ballast Problems

[dadstank]

or is it? that seems to be the daily question as of late.
that and the question "will the blue lights be on today?"

THE EQUIPMENT

my actinic are controlled via a typical and standard home depot light timer, plugged into a "MagnaTek ballast" (numbers on the side read: 446-L-SLH-TC-P Universal Watt Reducer 120V) - then a series of wires done by the "always hide your wires master" snakeing up to an eight pin connector then off to each light in series. (the 48" 03 then to the 24" 03 and back)

THE PROBLEM:

the lights only come on when played with. either the wires themselves, or the connector.

TONIGHT'S PROBLEM:

the lights come on, but only flicker and light very very dully?

THE SOLUTION/THE REASON/THOUGHTS/EXPIRENCE/YOUR H.O.:

---please fill in---

 

[Anonymous]

Dull lights is usually a problem that either the hot is loose or the neutral is loose, ie you only have one good connection.

Solution is make sure those connections are tight into the sockets.

 

[beemert]

when you say in series, are the red and blue wires each going to their own light?

this ballast runs 2 40w bulbs. is that what you are trying to light?

wired like this?

http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_l ... SLHTCP.pdf

bruce

 

[dadstank]

i will be honest, i don't know which color goes to which light. they are all wrapped in white. tomorrow am i will look at that link, and the wires and see what goes where.

the real question is how do i know if the ballast is bad, or if the it is just the wiring/connector that is no longer good. (without replacing anything)

--or is it trial and error?

 

[martin808hil]

Check every connection.If it comes on after being fiddled with then chances are you have a bad connection somewhere.Id try that before spending any money anywhere.If all else fails it maybe the connection to the tubes sometimes after being red hot for a while the deteriate fairly quickly and may need replacing.

 

[Anonymous]

I only have experience with icecap ballast, but when I would get the light sot only come on fro a brief moment it was usually a loose connection.