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Lighting Fixture ( south Jersey )

C

CABJ1970

Is there anyone out there that does house calls that could help me trouble shoot a problem I have with a light fixture issue. it is a fixed unit that had 3 250 watt MH (SE) with 2 72" VHO with end caps. When i plug it in it does not work.
 
G

gogol

You could buy an ammeter/voltmeter from walmart and find out where your electrical connecetion is failing (or not outputting the required amps/volts).

I have come to realise that this is an involved hobby that you've got to be a little hands-on about.
 
C

CABJ1970

I am located in magnolia nj 08049. I did find out that I may need a ballast (430 or 660). - was a little confused because a plug ans a awaf hole plastic thing was coming from the same cable. Does anyone have a extra that I can borrow to see if that does the trick. Please!
 
mikem

mikem

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
It's not the ballast. The problem is before that. Unless all the ballasts are bad. If you were closer, I could have taken a look at it for you.
What is the plastic thing you're talking about on the plug? I would be able to walk you threw it right here if you have a meter. Is there switches on it and how many?
 
C

CABJ1970

Sorry for the last message because I was typing from my blackberry. I was trying to say that I have this cord coming fom my fixture that has a 3 prong plur you plug in the outlet and on the same plug it has a plastic peice that has 16 holes which looks like it should nnect to something like a ballast.When i tried to google it it looks like white part of the extension wiring harness. So doesn't that mean that that should connect to something list a Ballast.

I also wanted to say that I bought the fixture used and the only thing that work is the 3 250 watt MH (SE). I just wanted to supplement some blue when the halids are off because I oonly run them for 6 hours
 
mikem

mikem

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Do the halides work now? Is the halide ballast inside the light fixture? If the halide ballasts are internal, I don't see why the VHO ballast isn't internal. It does sound like that plug is for a ballast. Can you go to the manufacture web site and get their diagram?
 
C

CABJ1970

I am in Magnolia nj right near the Deptford mall. My Halids are working and all three ballast are external. I dont know the maker of this unit becuase I see no name on anything.

Also, I appreciate all the help
 
M

Mbodell

hmm, I work in cherry hill and could give it a shot if you can't get it going by sunday. Have you checked the internal wiring for signs of any arcing/shorts/bad connections and have you tried new bulbs? (kind of a duh thing)

You probably have an electronic VHO ballast which you can't test without putting them under load. I don't know anyway to do that, but if you have a voltmeter you can test from the yellow to the red or blue wire and see if there is any voltage at all coming from the ballast. Turn the voltmeter to ac at the highest setting and give it a shot. Polarity won't matte since it's ac. If you have voltage you either need new bulbs or the ballast is shot.
 
S

sur4die

hey Lance, why didn't you let me know you were having a problem?

I have a multimeter and a masters degree in electrical engineering, but no spare ballasts. :D

PM me if you are going to be around tonight, I should be available from around 5-9.
 
G

gogol

sur4die said:
I have a multimeter and a masters degree in electrical engineering, but no spare ballasts. :D
Click to expand...

The multimeter will sure come handy!! I have a master's degree in Computer Science too, but rely heavily on my girlfriend ( a Ph. D in food science) to sort out technical issues with my our Macs ;D ;D.
 
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