BH-APL0551A ballast went out

[myklobe]

So, I have a Coralife 2 light unit, a 10,000k white and a Blue Light. The Ballast that controlls the Blue light works... sometimes. Like, after 2+ hours of them both on (in which the white is actually the only one on), I can turn them both off, the blue light flickers, and if the planets are aligned, I can turn them both back on and get my blue light to work.

I assume the ballast is going bad. I got this unit off of a friend who taught me the trick. It isn't that old, but I can't give a definite period of time. I attempted to re-solder all the solder points on the switch / ballast to see if something was just corroded - no dice. I've looked up the ballast and have only found a grey looking replacement (LICL-53052-65) with a plug in style wire-output. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[rakula]

Originally Posted by myklobe

So, I have a Coralife 2 light unit, a 10,000k white and a Blue Light. The Ballast that controlls the Blue light works... sometimes. Like, after 2+ hours of them both on (in which the white is actually the only one on), I can turn them both off, the blue light flickers, and if the planets are aligned, I can turn them both back on and get my blue light to work.

I assume the ballast is going bad. I got this unit off of a friend who taught me the trick. It isn't that old, but I can't give a definite period of time. I attempted to re-solder all the solder points on the switch / ballast to see if something was just corroded - no dice. I've looked up the ballast and have only found a grey looking replacement (LICL-53052-65) with a plug in style wire-output. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I called up oceanic systems and they informed me they have discontinued carrying the BH-APL0551A and haven't used them in 4 years. I don't blame them for discontinuing them. So many people had trouble with this type of ballast. I currently have one ballast working. If any of you are willing to sell your to me let me know. Otherwise I have a ballast I could sell you.

[Loverotties]

Could be a bad conection inside!I desided to buy a T5HO system.

[Jadinop]

A ballast is a ballast, for the most part. If you can handle the wiring and soldering, you can install any brand of 65w ballast that fits. You can even go with external ballasts if you use a good enclosure and extend the wires properly.

http://www.coralreefsupply.com/index...ail&detail=607

[mxracer19]

+1. the ballasts are named generically as follows: (Number of bulbs)F(wattage)(T)(size).

Ex: (2)F40T8.....2 bulbs, Flourescent 40 Watt, T8 diameter. On the future ballast, it should tell you what you can drive with it.