NanoCube users....I need some advice

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Master Er

New Member
I posted a thread concerning this earlier but now I have an option to ask if it is possible to do it. Anyway the ballast of my NanoCube kinda burned out....Inside of the ballast box are 2 units, 1 is the main ballast for the lighting and the other is a transformer for the fan/moonlights. The transformer for the fan/moonlights burned out. But my lights are still working. I have an ICA and modded fans with its own power supply in the rear. I was wondering if I could still use what I have and just remove the burnt out transformer since I really am not using it since I installed my ICA. I dont know if its a good idea to just leave it as is, it might cause more damage if I leave it inside the ballast box. I called JBJ and asked if I could do so and the reply I got was not sensible. "if you take out the burnt transformer, the lights wont work" ......how could it work if its already burnt? Duh. Any idea on what I could do? A replacement is an option but I'm just being optimistic in case this happens again and the warranty expires. Thanks
 
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dragon79

New Member
use your warranty and get a replacement. Better to be safer than sorry. Imagine you could come home to a fire......just not worth it.
 
M

Master Er

New Member
But what if it happens again and my warranty has expired? The warranty is only good for 6 months. Just a thought.
 
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dragon79

New Member
what are the odds that would happen? Replace what's bad and hope for the best :) I own two cubes, one 12 gallon jbj is my girlfriends, and mine is the 6 gallon. No problems. Mike with his cubes he's had no problems either, so just go ahead and get what's bad replaced and your problems should be over.

Only thing I can think to add is to make sure you are plugging into a good power strip and not just in the wall or using a cheezy ext. cord. Best of luck to you.
 
M

Master Er

New Member
Aha!!!! I am using a coralife power center.....i've been asking about it in another thread...maybe you didnt see it. Do you think it would cause that? The answer is close...I can feel it.
 
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incysor

New Member
I'd ditch the coralife powercenter and get the ballasts replaced if they're under warranty. It's flat out safer than trying to rework them, unless you're a master electrician.

B
 
K

Kris

New Member
JBJ has a past history of ballast burnouts so I don't think there will be a replacement problem. If it is, stick it to them and don't quit till you get the results you seek.
 
M

Master Er

New Member
Okay...I'll take all of the advice, power strip and warranties. And I forgot to mention, this ballast burn-outs happened to me twice already, all within 2 weeks. The odds that it would happen? Well now i'm expecting it to happen again, or at least since yesterday. What baffles me is that for the past 2-1/2 months everything was fine. How could something go wrong within 2 weeks? And the most recent burn out was with the ballast I have been using for quite some time. The other one was suppose to be a spare. But burned out when I was testing to see if it works. :?:
 
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incysor

New Member
Sh*t happens.

If theres an issue with the powerstrip it may be underdriving or overdriving the ballasts, or simply continually surging them. Saltwater could have dripped into it, and it's shorted/corroded. There could be a defect in the cord someplace that's gotten worse over time as it's been moved back and forth. It could be something completely different. Unless you're an electrician, or have some training in taking this kind of equipment apart you're not likely to figure it out. Much less folks that can't even see the things.

Get a new power strip and a couple timers.

Get the ballasts/cords etc.... replaced. That's what the warranty is for.

That's about all you can do.

B
 
M

Master Er

New Member
Yup!! Thats what I just did, I called JBJ the other day and told them about it and as of today, I called them again and confirmed the replacement which will be coming in next week. By the way, how do you compute for the rating of the powerstrip needed for the ballast so as to not overdrive/underdrive the ballast(s) or other equipment?
 
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Kris

New Member
The strip is rated for 1800w +/- a few watts. There should not be a problem. Nothing to compute. Just plug it in and go :)
 
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incysor

New Member
I just use powerstrips and timers I picked up at Home Depot. You shouldn't have to worry about the ratings on them honestly. Just mount the sucker so that it's not likely to get dripped on, and so it's close enough that all your cords can have
drip-loops and you should be fine.

Glad the new ones are on the way.

B
 
M

Master Er

New Member
Any recommendations on what would be a good brand/model powerstrip (and timer)? I dont want to make any mistakes this time. In the long run, its cheaper to be safe than sorry. I'm learning.
 
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drty811

New Member
i was going to buy one of those, well i guess im just going to stick with the two that i have. i dont want those kind of problems...
 
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Kris

New Member
K

Kris

New Member
Not a problem. The white one is good for adapters and stuff but I can point you to a really nifty thing to help with those, if you have a few of them and don't want to waste space.

Enjoy!
 
M

Master Er

New Member
Kris- That would help too. I have these small extension plugs but am looking for something better. The cleaner the look the better for me since I am overly meticulous about looks. Form must follow function too.
 
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