[foobuddha]

Alright, now I'm ticked off.

I've had these lights (Helios 4x55w pc) for about 13 months now. The ballasts are on separate switches, but share a power supply. After I had the lights about a month, one of the ballasts blew. Brought it back to the LFS, and they replaced it - no problem.

About 3 weeks ago, I swapped out 2 of the bulbs. They were about a two weeks over the 6 month limit. A week later, one of ballasts blows. Brought the unit back to the LFS - no problem, here's a new one. While I was there, I picked up the other 2 bulbs. Two days later - blown ballast! Back to the LFS, store employee apologizes profusely and tells me other customers have had the same problem, so it's definitely not me (I knew it wasn't me but...), he replaces the ballast again. I took the lights off the timer and had been turning them on manually. Everything was fine - for a week. I get up this morning, turn on the lights and voila - only one side lighting again. I'm about at my wits end here. Nothing had changed except the bulbs and this isn't the first time I've swapped them out.

 

[Buzz_Hog]

Bring the ballast back and tell them you want a different brand...

Tell them that this is costing you a lot of time dealing with this shoddy ballast and your personal time is very important to you...

 

[foobuddha]

Buzz, I'm not certain the fixture will allow for a different brand of ballast...

 

[Demogarr]

I know this doesn't help any now, but my lfs quit selling Helios brand for that exact reason, too many of them were blowing ballasts. I thought they were a cool fixture when I first saw them and wanted one, but he (lfs owner) warned me away. Another brand ballast may fit in the fixture, the only reason getting another ballast wouldn't work would be if it is a different size and won't fit. Just be sure to match the ballast to the wattage of lights you have now and wire it to the end caps, size should be the only issue, but I would have to see one again. Maybe you can just get a whole new fixture and ballast from a different company, especially since it has been such a hassle?
Sorry not much help.