Help! t5 problem troubleshooting

gpsreef · Jan 26, 2014

I have a sunlight supply tek 48" 8 bulb fixture that was with the tank I purchased used.It's rather old I believe not one of the newer tek lights it's large and in a black casing but is very well built and wasn't used much so in very good shape. I have a problem with two of the light slot not illuminating bulbs. When I add eight bulbs and flip the first switch, bulbs 1,2 and 7,8 come on no issue. when I flip the second switch bulbs 3 and 4 illuminate but 5 and 6 do not. I've tried switching bulbs I knew were good only to see the same thing happening. Anybody have anything happen like this? could it be the ballast? I'd figure it it were that the other two lights on that switch wouldn't work either. My best guess was a loose wire or bad connection but I have no experience with these types of lights or the ballast systems they run off of. thanks gps

FLipp · Feb 18, 2014

im on the same page w a 6x39.
can anyone help please?

skinz78 · Feb 18, 2014

Have you checked the wire connections?

gpsreef · Feb 18, 2014

im on the same page w a 6x39.
can anyone help please?

Have you checked the wire connections?

I did end up checking them and although it was hard to tell exactly everything seemed to be connected solid. I heard back from a sunlight supply tech guy who told me my 8 bulb light had 4 two bulb ballasts so it was likely that one had gone bad and replacement would then fix it. I haven't had a weekend to really get into it though between vacation and the work rush when I returned if I can't get to it before I start my tank in the next week or so I'm sure the 6 ati bulbs will be sufficient at least until I want to start adding corals.

zoajunkie83 · Feb 18, 2014

loose wires, connection points would be some beginning points, i would start with that! i had a ballast doing out and would come on and off and flicker so replaced but would deff work on wires and cleaning and tightening connections. thart simple!

gpsreef · Feb 18, 2014

zoajunkie83 said:
loose wires, connection points would be some beginning points, i would start with that! i had a ballast doing out and would come on and off and flicker so replaced but would deff work on wires and cleaning and tightening connections. thart simple!

Thanks for the shared experience! I will certainly look at the wires more in depth so I don't replace a good ballast

zoajunkie83 · Feb 18, 2014

no problem, im a mechanic and deal with this stuff all the time lol. just dont want to jump to the bigger parts ordered untill you check out the simple things that could be the problem. i have had lights that didnt turn on dur to bad grounds due to corosion. it could be ballast but just give it a try! good luck bud! if i had the expierience that i have now from the airforce i could have saved myself alot of money instead of buying new fixtures all the time lol.