Sunpod Question(s)

[fishguy23]

I purchased a used light a Sunpod 2x150 mh w/ 14k bulbs, when I fired it up I noticed one halide was really bright yellow & the other was very bluish but a lil dim. I assumed they were 2 different bulbs, so I swapped them w/ 2 fairly new hamilton bulbs, w/ the same results. The cooling fans are not working either, so I suspect a faulty ballast?`The lights just are not bright! the last lighting system I had was the Outer Orbit 150 watt 10k, and it was bright as the sun.

So my question is how do I know if it is the ballast for sure, and if it is, is it worth replacing or................?

 

[MikeyZO]

I may be wrong but I think the cooling fan relays have nothing to do with the ballasts. But as far as the miscoloring of the bulbs, yeah, that sounds like a power problem stemming from either the ballasts or the connections relays. Whether or not its worth fixing/replacing, I dunno. Hopefully someone else with more electronic experice will pipe up.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

It kinda sounds like the ballast is your main problem. I would call current in the AM and tell them about the problem see what they say.

 

[jackson6745]

What was the bulb age of the used bulbs?
Explain how you experienced the same thing with 2 different hamilton bulbs?

 

[fishguy23]

I spoke to them this morning regarding the fans, not very helpful...I actually got better service from Marine Depot tech Service

 

[fishguy23]

well the age of the bulbs that came w/ the fixture were unknown, the seller was guessing maybe 6mos, but i went ahead and got fairly new bulbs from another member/mod, and we tested both bulbs on each side ending in the same result...one brighter than the other.


I was pricing repl ballasts for the fixture & seeing the price is almost half the cost of a brand new fixture!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

On the 150's they are internal right?

 

[fishguy23]

yup:splitspin

 

[jackson6745]

Can't get your $$ back from the guy who sold it to you?

 

[fishguy23]

Um all I can say is anytime u buy used you run the risk of chancing on a product that you have no history of and buying at own risk! - guess it would fall under an ethical debate

 

[fishguy23]

I don't fault the seller it was bought as is I should have done my homework lol

 

[fishguy23]

Just spoke to current, the rep told me these ballasts were built to last awhile, and ruled that out. She is insisting it is the bulbs!:splitspin

Cananyone out there point me in the direction of someone who could possibily repair?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

when I had a problem I contacted House of Laughter, He let me come over and we tried some new bulbs etc. Send him a PM see what he can do.

 

[Domboski]

Hi Kenny,

It doesn't make sense that the bulbs are causing the issue. It is always the bulb you put in the right side of the fixture. I know current said the ballasts are built to last but if the fans haven't been working for a while the heat would definitely shorten the quality lifespan of the ballast. This is exactly what happened to my 250 watt aquaspacelight (never had fans). The ballast on the right side was toast. Aqua medic replaced all of the parts and I added fans from radioshack and it worked great.

This is what I would do:

1- Talk to Alex and see what he says. He is a stand up guy and probably will refund the money since you're not happy. Then you can put the money towards a new fixture

2- I'd keep harassing Current or see if one of the vendors here who carry their products can get replacement parts cheaper. Jim (House of Laughter) or Russ (masterswimmer) may be able to help with this as well.

3- You could always replace the ballasts with another brand and run them externally. This option may be a bit more costly but in the long run you may be much happier.

Just some thoughts

 

[fishguy23]

In all honesty, Alex is a stand up guy, he quickly offered a refund, and I am ceartin he had no idea, nor do I fault him for it! I would not hesitate to buy or trade w/ him in the future!

Dom thx, It never even crossed my mind to run an external ballast. In ur opinion would this be a cheaper alternative?

 

[Domboski]

I don't think it would be cheaper. It would be more reliable and give you the opporunity to get better ballasts to drive the bulbs. I'm not sure what would be the best ballast options for you so I would ask someone more experienced with lighting. I gave you all I got LOL.