36 inch 96 watt power compact

17 posts • Page 1 of 2

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saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

36 inch 96 watt power compact

by saltwaterpimp

i have this fixture. i ran it for 2 months.now every time i turn it on my gfi trips. any one know what the problem is. or what it could be. {not yours boss}


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

lol - good thing - - check and or replace the ignitor, or balast depending on the style, might have a loose or bad conection in the sockets where the bulbs plug in or even where the power cord comes into the light - -but before you go tearing the light up, make sure the GFI isn't weak - -rule of thumb is 3 trips and replace it [nobody ever does but most current interuption devices i.e. breakers are guarenteed for 3 trips only] - snowboss


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

could be a bulb also - ive seen regular flouresents get a sediment from the manufactureing process in them and over time it creats a large amp draw - -basically a short throught the bulb, enough to trip a breaker at start up but not enough to kill the bulb - - does it light in a regular outlet without the GFI ?


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

the gfi is a construction gfi. still only 3X i will try a dmm on it. the light is brand new this sucks.


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

plug it into a regular non GFI outlet and see what happens - -


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

the thing is every thing else works on it but that light


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

that could very well be - but remeber - -when any eletrical thing starts it draws 1/2 again as much amps for a split second or longer in some cases - -this is when things are running correctly - - example a motor rated at 50 amps wil draw 75 amps at start up and drop off to 50 when it reaches full run, ever see the lights dim when you hit the garage door opener or something? well lights will do the same thing - and if you have a short of some sort in there you could be pulling 96 watts plus the short 1/4 ? 1/2 ? 3/4 ? you could be pulling metal halide power there bub - - - lol

yes i used to be an electrician ...lol


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

wow the BOSS of all trades!!


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

naw just getting old bud...lots of things under my belt - -all expieriences to get me to owning my own company - -definately been an intersting life though - - - war vet too - - lol


saltwaterpimp
 
Posts: 1307
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:22 am

by saltwaterpimp

dude you just saved me!! i pluged it in to the wall and it works fine. holly shit!!!

36 inch 96 watt power compact

17 posts • Page 1 of 2

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