MH light stopped working

[GeoHawk]

Im not very good with electronics, but my metal halide wont turn on any more. Yesterday I pulled it down to take my canopy off to work on the tank. I haven't been home for 5 days and dont know if it quit working when I took it down yesterday or if it hasn't been working for a few days.
I have tried changing bulbs. I have tried plugging it in to multiple outlets and I have tried hitting the circut reset button. I also tired just letting it sit for an hour. I have no idea what to do next, or how to tell if this is a ballast issue or a lamp issue.

Please help

My Ballast Amazon.com: Sunlight Supply Galaxy Electronic, 250 Watt MH/HPS Ballast 120/240V: Pet Supplies
Myreflector Sunlight Supply Reef Optix 3 Plus 250W Double Ended HQI Reflector

 

[GeoHawk]

To complicate things I am leaving tomorrow morning again for a week

 

[Reef Pets]

Many of the ballast have a small fuse in them. The fuse is typically where the power cord plugs into the ballast, a small part will pull out. Inside there will be a tiny fuse. That might be the case on your ballast. If so usually you can take the fuse to radio shack or a car parts store and they will have a replacement.

 

[GeoHawk]

Many of the ballast have a small fuse in them. The fuse is typically where the power cord plugs into the ballast, a small part will pull out. Inside there will be a tiny fuse. That might be the case on your ballast. If so usually you can take the fuse to radio shack or a car parts store and they will have a replacement.

Thanks I tried to find a fuse and couldn't find it. I called sunlight supply and they told me that ballasts usually last 3-5 years if they are used regularly, so they gave me a number to a supplier to get my ballast checked. Mine is 4 years old. I went over there it was a plant store and they tried it out for me and sure enough the ballast was bad. I bought a new one that can alternate between 250 watt and 400 watt, for $162 because Im leaving tomorrow and have no way of getting one before I leave because shipping takes so long. Brought it home and plugged the reflector in and it works great! Sucks I paid so much for the ballast though. Oh my aquarium is a never ending money pit.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[GeoHawk]

What is common for ballast life expectancy?

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

What is common for ballast life expectancy?

Not sure, but I will not buy another Galaxy ballast. It may be just my luck, but I have had 2 galaxy ballast fail in less that 6 months. They have replaced both under warranty.
I have icecap ballast that are over 10 years old that work fine. Only problem is they are 250w, and I am using 400w.