400 mh

[clowns101]

Okay-
So I have a 400 MH Coral vue ballest non dimmable.

It was firing yesterday,but I come in today,and the light doesnt work.

I couldnt think a ballest would go bad over night,or the bulb.

The bulb is under 6 months old,and the ballast is a little bit over 2,it is all black if they says anything.

What do I need to do in order to tell if the ballast is bad?I have no extra bulb to test with and there is no way for me to get one locally(store is 2+ hours away).

And how can I test the ballast with a volt meter?I have one,but am not sure on how to test it.

Thanks,sorry if the questions are very simple,I just dont know them!

Thanks!

 

[clowns101]

BUMP!

I still dont know what is wrong!

 

[DaveDunbar]

Dont test with a volt meter!!! You'll shock the crap out of yourself!!!! Will burn up the meter also!!! Does the ballast make any noise when on?? It should have a slight noise even if electronic. I dont know any other way to make sure its good with out using a bulb!!
Dave

 

[clowns101]

It never made a noice even when it worked.

I wont test with a meter then,but thats what Marine Depot told me to do.

Any idea why it made no noice?

 

[Paul_N]

I have lumatek ballasts and they really don't make any noise. To use a meter to test the ballast you would need to have a high voltage probe or else like Dave said you will burn the meter up. To test a ballast I always use a bulb that I know is good. Maybe someone near you has a spare good bulb to loan you for a quick test.

 

[clowns101]

LOL,the closet place it 2 hours away,there is now way I could get one.

Im concidering ordering a new one,but then if its just the ballast,Ill be out double the money for no reason.

Ill try to take it to an electrition and see what they have to say,maybe they will know,Im not sure how good our meter is,but it wasnt cheap!

 

[lowbudget]

but if it zap the meter you know its not the ballast. hahahaha if you buy the bulb you can always use the bulb

 

[clowns101]

Ya,thats a good way to look at it...LOL

Im not sure what to do,I guess Im going to have to pull out the old 150 MH for a bit to keep my corals happy.