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View Full Version : How to fix a 48" flourescent light...

Jim2982
11-01-2007, 05:07 PM
I got this old light with a 55 gallon tank I bought a few months ago. It's never worked, but the guy I bought it all from said he's pretty sure it's the ballast, which is not actually in the fixture but is mounted inline on the electrical plug-in. The bulb in this light works when I put it in the fixture over my African tank. My questions are 1) can this light be fixed, and 2) would it even be worth fixing this light if it's possible or should I just buy a new fixture? Any ideas?

Oh and obviously, if anybody has an extra 48" fixture they want to sell for cheap, let me know. hehe
greeneyed
11-01-2007, 05:16 PM
Depends...
What is the bulb wattage?
Ballasts can get expensive, but it is a low wattage one, you can get one cheap.
AndrewH
11-01-2007, 06:12 PM
If you're coming on Saturday, bring the fixture and I'll give you a ballast and fix the fixture for you.

Info I need to know... which tube does it take (T8, T12, etc)? I assume it's one lamp? Is there a place to mount the ballast in the housing?

A quick picture or two would help a lot :D, if you can.
Jim2982
11-01-2007, 07:28 PM
Dammit, I'm beginning to hate Baylor more and more, lol. I can't come this saturday. My girlfriend, who, along with her sister, graduated from Baylor, is dragging me to the game against Texas Tech this weekend. It's their homecoming and her sister and brother-in-law are coming from Houston and meeting us in Waco. Otherwise I'd definitely be there. I REALLY appreciate the offer to fix it for me. I swear the next GTG we're coming, even if I have to club Steph over the head and drag her like a caveman, lol. I'll try to post some pics of the light tomorrow anyway. Thanks again.
AndrewH
11-01-2007, 08:13 PM
It's all good. Get me some pictures and I'll make you a drawing and provide a ballas part number from Lowes or HD, so that you can rewire it (if you feel confident enough), or maybe I can come up to Denton next weekend or the one after that.
Jim2982
11-05-2007, 07:06 PM
OK, here's a couple of pics. I tried to zoom in on one of them close enough so you could read the details. I hope this'll help. I should probably be able to rewire it as long as there's some reasonable directions. Thanks again.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/Jim2982/DSCN1155.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/Jim2982/DSCN1153.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/Jim2982/DSCN1154.jpg
sap
11-06-2007, 08:35 AM
http://www.radionic.net/PT340TP_P2331.cfm?UserID=554139&jsessionid=7c3033970a46$D1$AE$7
Jim2982
11-06-2007, 08:39 PM
Kick ass. Thanks sap.
bra8ndy8
11-06-2007, 08:43 PM
Andrew....give Jim your number!! You know you wanna!!
AndrewH
11-06-2007, 11:52 PM
http://www.radionic.net/PT340TP_P2331.cfm?UserID=554139&jsessionid=7c3033970a46$7

Kick ass. Thanks sap.

NICE!!! Direct replacement is always better!!! Definitely let me know if you need help or anything, but it should be pretty straight forward.

Andrew....give Jim your number!! You know you wanna!!

Everyone can have my number
nine72-seven41-one806 (cell)

Call anytime!
biggin
11-07-2007, 02:14 PM
This is who Skipp should call at 3am when the site crashes....

Call anytime!
bra8ndy8
11-07-2007, 04:26 PM
I know who I am "Drunk dialing" now!! AAAAAnnnnnnthreeeewwww WHACHA dooooooin????
AndrewH
11-07-2007, 06:43 PM
LOL, I'm working. Why you drunk dialing at 4:30 pm? Sounds like you might need a 12 step program or something.

(did you really call me?)
rolloffhill
11-07-2007, 07:21 PM
This is who Skipp should call at 3am when the site crashes....


He is usually the one that texts me at 2 am letting me know its down...:twitch:
biggin
11-07-2007, 10:21 PM
Drunk dialing is great but if you call Andrew he might just talk back for a while.

LOL, I'm working. Why you drunk dialing at 4:30 pm? Sounds like you might need a 12 step program or something.

(did you really call me?)

Calls to tell you the site is down but not that he went drunk ditch jumping?

He is usually the one that texts me at 2 am letting me know its down...:twitch:
rolloffhill
11-07-2007, 10:27 PM
Drunk dialing is great but if you call Andrew he might just talk back for a while.



Calls to tell you the site is down but not that he went drunk ditch jumping?


Exactly!! Instead I get a DD from Joel calling me a vag...:rolleyes1:
poel_19
11-07-2007, 10:43 PM
why yes I did call you a vag......vag....
biggin
11-07-2007, 10:55 PM
Exactly!! Instead I get a DD from Joel calling me a vag...:rolleyes1:

Well you do hang out with the doll...
bra8ndy8
11-07-2007, 11:11 PM
no 12 step here!!!I'm the one who drunk chats with u when the site is down at 2!!! remember whiskey drinker!!! good try saying I need a program.when u can hardly type late at night!!
kewlkatdady
11-08-2007, 08:59 AM
wow yall destroyed this dudes thread....
welcome to DFWFB Jim...

good times...
bra8ndy8
11-08-2007, 01:26 PM
LOL ohh is that what this thread is suppose to be about????


WELCOME AGAIN...!!!
Jim2982
11-08-2007, 02:00 PM
LOL, Thanks for the welcomes! But, this thread was about a flourescent light. Have y'all been drunk thread answering? lol
biggin
11-08-2007, 02:01 PM
Is there a thread that has not been jacked?
bra8ndy8
11-08-2007, 03:12 PM
ummmmm no
greeneyed
11-08-2007, 03:22 PM
I thought around here LFS = Lotsa Forum Smartasses???
tsunderl
11-08-2007, 03:31 PM
I thought around here LFS = Lotsa Forum Smartasses???

Best one yet!!! http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra3/appl.gif
biggin
11-08-2007, 03:46 PM
And?

I thought around here LFS = Lotsa Forum Smartasses???
bra8ndy8
11-08-2007, 03:51 PM
well there is plent of those here!
rolloffhill
11-08-2007, 04:04 PM
roflmao
AndrewH
11-08-2007, 06:03 PM
Drunk dialing is great but if you call Andrew he might just talk back for a while.

Yeah, last time you did it we talked for 3+ hours. I never talk on the phone that long, so you know I had to have had a couple drinks :D

Exactly!! Instead I get a DD from Joel calling me a vag...:rolleyes1:

I didn't wanna wake up Robyn ;)

no 12 step here!!!I'm the one who drunk chats with u when the site is down at 2!!! remember whiskey drinker!!! good try saying I need a program.when u can hardly type late at night!!
Yeah, I'm drinkin' & chattin' when it's late at night and all the kiddos are asleep. You're drinkin' right after you pick them up after school. "Kids, go play in the street, mommy needs a highball!"



I thought around here LFS = Lotsa Forum Smartasses???Best one yet!!! http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra3/appl.gif

x2
AndrewH
11-08-2007, 06:06 PM
Loco Fish SPAMers?
kewlkatdady
11-08-2007, 06:09 PM
lotsa fore skin?
greeneyed
11-08-2007, 06:44 PM
Loathsome Fish Smell
Jim2982
11-08-2007, 07:34 PM
or Lacking Fore Skin
AndrewH
11-19-2007, 06:17 PM
Jim, you ever get the light fixed?
Jim2982
11-19-2007, 06:40 PM
Nah, not yet. I went to that website to order one and it's $15 plus $7 I think shipping and then another $5 "handling" charge. So, I thought I was gonna wait and try to find one at Lowe's or HD or something. But, I started a new job last week and I've been so busy I haven't been yet. So, I probably should've just ordered the one off the net and paid the extra charge, lol.
AndrewH
11-19-2007, 09:05 PM
The extra $$$ for an exact replacement is worth it IMHO. You know you have the right part the first time around and don't have to wire in the wrong ballast only to discover it won't work for whatever reason.
Jim2982
11-20-2007, 08:46 PM
Yeah, you're right. Good call. I knew I should've just paid the extra $5 and ordered it, but I'm a penny pincher, lol. I ordered it tonight, I'll let you know how it goes when I get it in the mail. Hopefully I'll have a working light! Thanks again for the help and suggestions everybody.