What Is A Ballast?

[MermaidMel]

Duh sorry, but what is it?

 

[Duck1976]

Think it is the coil that regulates the amount of power going to the bulb, so different strength bulbs have different ballasts.

Although I wouldn't quote me on that.....

 

[MermaidMel]

Think it is the coil that regulates the amount of power going to the bulb, so different strength bulbs have different ballasts.

Although I wouldn't quote me on that.....

So if a ballast had gone, would replacing the tube also replace the ballast and then everything would work?

 

[saltynay]

The word ballast has several meanings what context are you using it:

* Ballast tanks, a device used on ships and submarines and other submersibles to control buoyancy and stability
* Ballast weights, metallic plates used to bring auto racing vehicles up to the minimum mandated weight
* Electrical ballast, used to stabilize the current flow in lamps
* Sailing ballast, ship's ballast, used to weight a ship down
* Track ballast, the layer of crushed rock or gravel upon which railway track is laid
* Water ballast carried aboard an aircraft, for example in gliding to increase speed

 

[keenonfish]

Think it is the coil that regulates the amount of power going to the bulb, so different strength bulbs have different ballasts.

Although I wouldn't quote me on that.....

So if a ballast had gone, would replacing the tube also replace the ballast and then everything would work?

Truck is right it is designed to limit power to the tube. Does your ballast come with a separate starter (the little 'can' thing that flashes) or not? Don't forget tubes can look fine but if an internal filament is duff then they will not work and will generally appear dead.

If you have a little diy meter you can test for continuity between pins (NOT across the tube but between pins at each end, if you know what I mean!)

You need to check all wires and starter (if present) and connections (nice clean no corrosion where tube pins go etc). Ballast usually* the last thing that fails.

If you decide to replace ballast and tubes then do the tubes first at least you can take the new ones back out and put them somewhere safe

 

[MermaidMel]

It's the ballast in a Juwel tank
Are they easy to replace?

 

[keenonfish]

Isn't there a known issue with these? I am sure there is a pinned topic somewhere that explains how to replace. Simple enough job.

 

[Truck]

It's the ballast in a Juwel tank
Are they easy to replace?

is this the trigon mel? does it have a red sticker on the underside?

if it does it was made in china, the china models last a few weeks tops, take the light unit to where you bought the tank and demand a replacment

you shouldnt open the unit up unless its over the warranty.

 

[MermaidMel]

It's the ballast in a Juwel tank
Are they easy to replace?

is this the trigon mel? does it have a red sticker on the underside?

if it does it was made in china, the china models last a few weeks tops, take the light unit to where you bought the tank and demand a replacment

you shouldnt open the unit up unless its over the warranty.

Nah it's for a tank I wanted to buy, not my new Trigon, nooo thank god would be livid lol
It's for a 3yr old tank

 

[aaronnorth]

didnt i explain this to you a few month back

Basically it is the lighting fixture

that is what one looks like but it is built into the hgood.

 

[MermaidMel]

didnt i explain this to you a few month back

Basically it is the lighting fixture

that is what one looks like but it is built into the hgood.

OMG did you? I don't remember that, I do remember talking about watts and colour etc. I was shocked to see the light unit was gonna be £50 too

 

[doresy]

Hi, if you check the pinned posts at the head of this section you will see my detailed account of how to change the ballast in a dodgy Juwel light-bar.

However, only for the competent diy'er