Lighting problem on a Nano 12 DX

[Huckleberry]

I decided it was time to replace the light bulbs, splash shield, and gasket on my 12 DX. I ordered new bulbs and splash shield from JBJ. I unplugged the ballast before I took apart the lid and put the new parts in. When I had finished, I plugged the ballast back in. SPARK! SPARK! POOOFF! The ballast went up in smoke. I figured it was just its time to die, and it was a coincidence that it happened when I put everything back together.

I jumped online and ordered a completely new ballast assembly from Nanotuners. They were incredible about getting my order out to me within 36 hours! Great customer service!!! Yesterday I hooked up the new ballast and flipped the switch on. The only thing that happened was the bulbs gave off a faint glow on the base end near the socket. They would not start up at all. I took apart the hood again and made sure everything was hooked up right and the bulbs were seated properly. Once again I flipped the switch....NADA! The same faint glow.

Anyone have any ideas what has happened or what I can check to make the lights come on? It has been three days now and my clam is begging me for light.

 

[cbrownfish]

Is there a "starter" in the set up? The starter is a small cylinder with 2 round prongs on it. It would be sticking out of the inner side of the hood and you can remove it by twisting/pushing at the same time. This jumps the power to "start" the bulb. The starter may have gotten fried also.

 

[brandon]

maybe the fuse got fried, thats what happened to mine, i just went to radioshack and got new fuses for $2 and it was good to go

 

[Huckleberry]

There is no starter under the hood, only a circuit board that the fans plug into. The fuse blew on the old ballast, presumably when the rest of it melted down, but the fuse on the new hood is good. I'm going to call Chris at Nanotuners this afternoon. He offered to troubleshoot it for me. maybe time for a new "upgraded" hood!

 

[Huckleberry]

I guess when the ballast went the way of the DoDo, it decided to take my brand new bulbs with it! :burningup $40 later I have two new bulbs in and it works fine again. Thanks to those who offered their help.