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My light is acting a fool

1K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  insta 
#1 ·
I have a 48 in Corallife with 4 CFL and 4 moon lights. The CFLs are one 2 switches, F1 F2 on one switch R1 R2 on same switch. My issue is that F1 and R1 keep going out. What could be causing this issue? I took the light into the local fish store, and he said that i needed new bulbs because mine were a year old and your suppose to replace every 3 months! Would know lights fix my problem? It just seems strange that only the one side would be affected. If I bump the setup, the lights will sometime turn on for a bit. Are there starters for CFL like there are for regular flourecent lights? I haven't seen any, but most of the wiring is hidden behind the reflector.


(Sorry if I posted this before, I looked and couldn't find it, but I feel as if I have typed up this problem before)
 
#3 ·
if you bump the fixture and the lights react to this, its an electrical problem. First, check the contacts of where the bulbs connect to the fixture. If nothing is loose there, chech the wiring on the posts where the bulbs connect. If those are not loose, pull the fixture apart and check the wiring to the ballast. I am pretty sure the ballast itself is fine as a problem with it would leave one side completely off or no bulbs working at all. Hope this helps.
 
#6 ·
I have a 48 in Corallife with 4 CFL and 4 moon lights. ... I took the light into the local fish store, and he said that i needed new bulbs because mine were a year old and your suppose to replace every 3 months! ...
The guy at your LFS is telling you a lie about the replacement time interval for CF's. Many of us wait until they burn out and some people replace them after a year, a year and a half or even two years.

There is no way that a decent CF bulb needs replacing after 3 months. That's Ludicrous!! (not the band) I'd take my business elsewhere. There is no telling what other lies or untruths this person might tell you.

Back on topic, would one of these work? They should fit in your Aqualight.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...LN-PC-STRAIGHT&Category_Code=Separatecompacts
http://www.marinedepot.com/Endcap_F...ptive_Purity-CP5311-FILTACECPC-CP5313-vi.html
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=551
 
#7 · (Edited)
Oh I figured he was lying to me. I also refused to buy anything from that store if I can find it anyone else, even the big chain stores. It is a shady place, but I didn't have anywhere else to try and get help locally.

Thanks for those links. So should I stick with straight pin or is it worth it to change to the square pin setup? What the difference? I mean is there any real diffence? (I'm figuring straight pin will be fine since I just ordered 4 bulbs from Drfostersmith)
 
#9 ·
New sockets can be ordered from a long list of places, but shipping can add up. My first suggestion is your local electrical supply wholesaler. Where the electricians shop. Most have a retail counter and can order in what they don't stock, in a couple of days.

Baring that, if you Google 2g11 Socket You'll get several tens of thousand hits.
I have been happy with the site below.
http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/CTGY/SocketsFlPlugInPLL

I also purchase 55 watt GE 9325k PC bulbs from them at $14.20 each.
http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/Aquarium/F55BX-AR-FS
 
#12 ·
New sockets can be ordered from a long list of places, but shipping can add up. My first suggestion is your local electrical supply wholesaler. Where the electricians shop. Most have a retail counter and can order in what they don't stock, in a couple of days.

Baring that, if you Google 2g11 Socket You'll get several tens of thousand hits.
I have been happy with the site below.
http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/CTGY/SocketsFlPlugInPLL

I also purchase 55 watt GE 9325k PC bulbs from them at $14.20 each.
http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/Aquarium/F55BX-AR-FS
Ugh, I really wish I'd known about "2G11" when I rebuilt my PC fixture. I went down to RadioShack and bought 12-pin Molex plug. It came with an empty nylon plug (which was discarded) and 12 pins. I heated each pin, bent it 90 degrees, crimped it, and then installed it into the reassembled plug. Cost was under $3. It did work (and rather well), but I really wish I'd known about new sockets to begin with ...
 
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