Having bad luck with ballast

[Anonymous]

I turned on my lights this morning and I kept getting this buzzing sound from the ballast.

CoralVue 660

So I turn it off, unplug the wiring, blowing it out (thing maybe some dust interferance), plug it back in, turn it on and still getting the buzzing sound.

So now my lights are off today. I'm too scared it will cause some short and my house will burn down.

This is my 3rd replacement ballast since I got the tank last April. I had a IceCap, it burnt out. Then I got the CoralVue and have replaced 3x. WTF?

I'm about to down grade to a nano cube. I'm sick of these damn ballast.

Any thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

Did the lights light up?

Without hearing the buzz, its hard to know what it might be.

The buzz was coming from the ballast, not the lights?
Did you shift the ballast around (it might be vibration)?
Did you try letting it run for a it and see if the buzz stops?
Did you think it might just be hormones?

I know a lot of questions, but maybe we can figure it out!

 

[Anonymous]

Ballasts have these issue ever since they are made to use several decade ago. The quality and reliability has not went up much.

I think you just have to cope with the noise unless it is excessively loud until smoke comes up. :?

 

[Anonymous]

Did the lights light up?

Yes

Without hearing the buzz, its hard to know what it might be.

The buzz was coming from the ballast, not the lights?

The buzz is definately coming from the ballast

Did you shift the ballast around (it might be vibration)?

It's screwed to the wall and it's never made this noise before.

Did you try letting it run for a it and see if the buzz stops?

I tried about 3 different times this morning and got the same results. Left it on for a few minutes and the noise wouldn't go away.

Did you think it might just be hormones?

Very funny Rich! :lol: :wink:

I know a lot of questions, but maybe we can figure it out!

[/b]

 

[Anonymous]

Ballasts have these issue ever since they are made to use several decade ago. The quality and reliability has not went up much.

I think you just have to cope with the noise unless it is excessively loud until smoke comes up. :?

They suck.

 

[Lizzy & Me]

Does anyone know a place to learn about the proper testing of ballasts? There must be a way to determine their "health".

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know a place to learn about the proper testing of ballasts? There must be a way to determine their "health".

It's maybe 1-1/2 mos old.

 

[Anonymous]

Sometimes something loosens up inside a ballast and it vibrates and buzzes from the vibrations. Other than that I don't know what makes them buzz except sucking!

 

[Anonymous]

Sometimes something loosens up inside a chick and it vibrates and buzzes from the hormones. Other than that I don't know what makes them buzz except sucking!

 

[Anonymous]

Sometimes something loosens up inside a chick and it vibrates and buzzes from the hormones. Other than that I don't know what makes them buzz except sucking!

Watch it! I'll come over there and beat you with a wet noodle.

I'm pregnant is all. They are making fun of me. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry..Couldn't help myself...

 

[Anonymous]

BTW Crissy thanks for the advise months back about how to upload an avatar of the correct size and congrats on the prego.

 

[Anonymous]

Sometimes something loosens up inside a ballast and it vibrates and buzzes from the vibrations. Other than that I don't know what makes them buzz except sucking!

Magnetic ballast have this tendency, especially the core-n-coil type. For CF, most are F-can, and they have less problem, but some do hum. Electronic ballast also have same issue. It is just a bad combination of poor engineering and low quality assurance.

I bet it was assembled by a pregnant women on her last trimester...

 

[Anonymous]

Sometimes something loosens up inside a ballast and it vibrates and buzzes from the vibrations. Other than that I don't know what makes them buzz except sucking!

Magnetic ballast have this tendency, especially the core-n-coil type. For CF, most are F-can, and they have less problem, but some do hum. Electronic ballast also have same issue. It is just a bad combination of poor engineering and low quality assurance.

I bet it was assembled by a pregnant women on her last trimester...

Watch it 7E. You're getting the noodle next.

I have an electronic ballast. It just sucks. I'm thinking of downsize to a nano. Tired of replacing the damn thing every 3 mos.

BTW Crissy thanks for the advise months back about how to upload an avatar of the correct size and congrats on the prego.

You are very welcome and thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think getting a smaller tank/ballast will help. These kind of issue is pretty independant of the power of the ballast.

I have a 20 yrs old core&coil ballast, and it still works like a charm. The recent ballasts are the issue. I would try to get a light setup with good service and warranty.

 

[Anonymous]

7E,

I'm thinking of this:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... =Aquariums

What do ya think?

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but I have no experience with HQI. I hope someone who had that particular setup can chime in and give you some review.

Good luck.