What's Wrong With My T5?

[jeffopentax]

Anyone know what might be causing my T5 light to do this? The black squares are just the end caps unscrewed. Plug it in, few inches light up for a few seconds, then shuts itself off.

 

[Jewel]

Ballast or bulbs or both would be my guess.

 

[jeffopentax]

I was told by someone that the store i bought the bulb from (i don't want to name names) has some new-old stock, say maybe 10 years. Do fluorescent bulbs have a shelf life?

 

[Jewel]

10 years sitting would not be good, I think that might be your problem. I hope you got them cheap LOL

 

[jeffopentax]

I bought a 36" about a month ago and it has been working perfectly fine. But yeah it was only $10 for the 24". Working on getting it exchanged.

 

[unibob]

The bulbs were old ORG stock, who knows how hold they are, going by packaging as I inquired....they are old. If mops is replacing, good on them

If you do need some 24" ati bulbs, they are $22ea and I can meet on my travels. They won't be old


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[unibob]

If it's not bulbs, I'm guessing dirty end caps.


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[Pistol]

Does the fixture have built in timers?

 

[jeffopentax]

Does the fixture have built in timers?

Nope, no timers. This is what it is
http://usa.hagen.com/Aquatic/Lighting/DIY-Lighting-Systems/A3900

 

[jeffopentax]

The bulbs were old ORG stock, who knows how hold they are, going by packaging as I inquired....they are old. If mops is replacing, good on them

If you do need some 24" ati bulbs, they are $22ea and I can meet on my travels. They won't be old

So much for not naming names! Haha Not sure if mops will replace it. Have bought tons of stuff from them, and customer service has always been great. Have emailed back and forth a few times regarding bulb. Will see if anything arrives tomorrow. Part of the problem is I'm not 100% sure it's the bulb, though I suspect it is. I may soon be coming to you for all my light bulb needs! Literally nowhere in Brantford carries what I need

 

[Pistol]

1 24" bulb is not much load on a ballast, I'm guessing the bulb especially if it is 10 yrs old.

 

[jeffopentax]

Just got an email from mops. They are sending me a replacement. They know how to keep customers! Hopefully it was just a manufacturing defect. If the new bulb does the same thing, I'll have to find someone with a 24" fixture to determine where the problem lies.

 

[unibob]

Just got an email from mops. They are sending me a replacement. They know how to keep customers! Hopefully it was just a manufacturing defect. If the new bulb does the same thing, I'll have to find someone with a 24" fixture to determine where the problem lies.

Good to hear


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[jeffopentax]

Well, replacement bulb arrived free of charge from mops. It arrived broken. So all I've learned is to not order bulbs from mops. Still not sure if fixture or bulb is to blame!

 

[unibob]

Well, replacement bulb arrived free of charge from mops. It arrived broken. So all I've learned is to not order bulbs from mops. Still not sure if fixture or bulb is to blame!

Shipping individual bulbs is a no no IMO.

There is a good chance I may be in your area Saturday. Let me know.


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[jeffopentax]

Shipping individual bulbs is a no no IMO.

There is a good chance I may be in your area Saturday. Let me know.


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It was packaged really well. Almost like it was broken before they packaged it. Hate to think that's the case! I know I didn't break it as i could hear it rattling when I slid the bubble wrap it was wrapped in out of the box. What do you have for 24" actinic bulbs?

 

[Pistol]

Well, replacement bulb arrived free of charge from mops. It arrived broken. So all I've learned is to not order bulbs from mops. Still not sure if fixture or bulb is to blame!

when it rains it pours, sorry bout your luck

 

[Pistol]

It was packaged really well. Almost like it was broken before they packaged it. Hate to think that's the case! I know I didn't break it as i could hear it rattling when I slid the bubble wrap it was wrapped in out of the box. What do you have for 24" actinic bulbs?

i'm certain mops wouldn't ship it broke, i know for a fact shippers are pretty rough on stuff

 

[jeffopentax]

i'm certain mops wouldn't ship it broke, i know for a fact shippers are pretty rough on stuff

But if they are selling 10 year old stock, it doesn't seem that big of a stretch to send a broken one. Wouldn't look too good if the second bulb did the same as the first. Who knows. They said next time I order to remind them and they'll send yet another. They still ship the quickest, so there will be another order!

 

[jeffopentax]

But if they are selling 10 year old stock, it doesn't seem that big of a stretch to send a broken one. Wouldn't look too good if the second bulb did the same as the first. Who knows. They said next time I order to remind them and they'll send yet another. They still ship the quickest, so there will be another order!

Just looked at box it was shipped in, and it is slightly bent, in the same spot the bulb broke. Damn you canada post!