PFO BALLAST SHOOTS SPARKS AND DIES

[b2leopard]

WELL I GET HOME LAST NIGHT AND MY 400 WATT MH TURNED OFF BY ITSELF,I UNPLUGGED IT LET THE BULB COOL ALL THE WAY DOWN,PLUGGED IT BACK IN TURNED ON THE LIGHT AND A NICE LOUD BANG NOISE FOLLOWED BY SPARKS SHOOTING OUT OF THE LIGHT SWITCH. THE BAD THING WAS THAT 2 OUTLETS IN MY HOUSE WENT DEAD. I WAS FREAKING OUT LIKE A KID WHO JUST LOST HIS HALLOWEEN CANDY. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT BALLAST FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS CANNOT COMPLAIN,JUST WONDERING IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE AND IF IT CAN BE FIXED. I ORDERED A NEW ONE TODAY DELIVERED BY MONDAY. I ONLY HAVE A DUAL LIGHT STRIP TO USE UNTIL THEN SO I HOPE NO DAMAGE WILL BE DONE TO MY CORALS OR MY NEON ORANGE BUBBLE TIP. IT HAS ME A LITTLE FREAKED OUT!!!

 

[MattM]

Don't mess with it if you're not comfortable working with electricity, but from your description it sounds like just a short in the switch. Chances are very good that the ballast itself is fine.

 

[SteveP]

It may well be the switch. I had one of them fail on my dual 400w ballast after less than a month. I emailed PFO about it and they sent me a replacement switch free of charge.

Steve
8{I

 

[b2leopard]

MAN WHAT A GREAT COMPANY! I CALLED PFO TODAY TALK TO DAVE AND HE GAVE ME A RETURN NUMBER AND ALL I HAVE TO DO IS MAIL IT TO THEM AND THEY WILL FIX IT AND SEND IT BACK. THAT MY FRIENDS IS A COMPANY THAT STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS TO MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ADS]

I agree-PFO has great customer service. I had a 6 month old bulb blow on my 400W setup -they sent out a replacement FOC-no questions-amazing! Great company!

 

[reefcam]

That's PFO for you. Great people, great service. I have the fortunate of living close to them so I get to pick up the ballast directly after I buy one from a MO. Saves me shipping.

I had the same problem happened to me 2 years ago. Took my dual 400 in and they just replaced it with a new ballast. No questioned asked. Didn't even had my original receipt. Since them, I have always bought their MH ballast.

 

[pez]

I have to agree; PFO has always stood by their products.

-Tom.


p.s.,

b2 - stop YELLING.