engwife36 Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 I just took out all my bulbs to change them around and now one of my ballasts keep blowing the fuse and wont power three of the bulbs. Have replaced the fuse like 5 times now and it instantly blows. Has this happened to anyone else? What can I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Sounds like a wire can loose or shorted to another in your fixture. The fixture should be simple enough to look around in side for loose or cut wiring. I'd start with the "tombstone" ends that the bulbs fit inside since you asy that this only began when you fiddled with the bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 also, make sure you are using the right kind of fuse, not just the right amperage. i know metal halide ballasts that have a fuse require "slow blow" fuses and will instantly burn "fast blow" fuses of the same amperage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engwife36 Posted August 30, 2006 Author Share Posted August 30, 2006 your right, were do you get the slow blow fuses. I just went to Auto Zone and bought the regular car fuse. But it does say on the Icecap SLOW BLOW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Radio Shak is a good place. Keep in mind that a blown fuse is usually an indicator. Replacing it doesn't mean you fixed what caused it to blow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Radio Shak is a good place. Keep in mind that a blown fuse is usually an indicator. Replacing it doesn't mean you fixed what caused it to blow. definitely! find out what caused the first one to go before you put another one in there. look for salt creep, or loose wires. a "slow blow" fuse can handle a haigher steady amperage before it goes, so if you dont fix what is shorting, you could potentially fry the whole ballast or worse, start a fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engwife36 Posted August 30, 2006 Author Share Posted August 30, 2006 Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engwife36 Posted August 30, 2006 Author Share Posted August 30, 2006 I checked the wiring and still nothing. I talked to Icecap this morning and they gave me the address and told me to ship it to them and they will sent out a new one. Great customer service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 even better than fixin it yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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