DIY T5 light fuse keeps blowing

**KaLiB** · 05-12-2004, 07:36 PM

Just today, my T5 light fuse blew. Changed to a second fuse and it blew again.

Looked inside the casing, there seems to be some water that condensed on the reflector, so i'm suspecting that water vaopur from the tank has somehow gotten into the casing and short circuited something. I'm using normal non-waterproof endcaps, both my ballast and tubes are placed within an aluminium FL casing. The original clear plastic that came with the casing was not removed, so i doubt accidental splashing would have caused the problem as splashes of water is unlikey to be able to enter the casing. Only way for water to enter was that either water was poured onto the casing accidentally or the entire casing drops into the tank and nothing of this sort has happened.

As i'm going out for dinner now, i can't provide any pics now, later when i get back i'll snap some photos of the setup.

Could it possibly be a problem resulting from water vapour or something else? Anyone can help? I suspect its a problem caused by water vapour but i wish to have 2nd opinon to confirm.

05-12-2004, 08:49 PM

1) your wiring
2) your ballast (if spoilt, fuse will blow first to break the electricity)
3) your list of christmas "want to buys"...

dun meddle w things u are unsure and please gnd your tank.

**KaLiB** · 05-12-2004, 10:54 PM

I doubt its a wiring problem as it has been running fine for many weeks without problem.

It could be a ballast problem or it could just be water vapour resulting in a short circuit. Anyway to play safe, whenever i meddle with it, i ensure i stand on a ESD sheet before i try anything.

07-12-2004, 01:14 PM

hi kalib, u mentioned ur bulb kept blowing off. i dun think it's ballast problem.

it could b:
1) loose wires tat came in contact wif metals parts,
2) expose wires in contact wif each other,
3) expose wire came in contact wif water.

hope tat helps.

05-12-2004, 07:36 PM	#1
KaLiB Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 3,635	DIY T5 light fuse keeps blowing Just today, my T5 light fuse blew. Changed to a second fuse and it blew again. Looked inside the casing, there seems to be some water that condensed on the reflector, so i'm suspecting that water vaopur from the tank has somehow gotten into the casing and short circuited something. I'm using normal non-waterproof endcaps, both my ballast and tubes are placed within an aluminium FL casing. The original clear plastic that came with the casing was not removed, so i doubt accidental splashing would have caused the problem as splashes of water is unlikey to be able to enter the casing. Only way for water to enter was that either water was poured onto the casing accidentally or the entire casing drops into the tank and nothing of this sort has happened. As i'm going out for dinner now, i can't provide any pics now, later when i get back i'll snap some photos of the setup. Could it possibly be a problem resulting from water vapour or something else? Anyone can help? I suspect its a problem caused by water vapour but i wish to have 2nd opinon to confirm. __________________ A fishtank is just like your computer. When your tank crash(OS crash), its time to cleanup(reformat hard drive) and setup(install OS) again and add new livestock(re-install software).

05-12-2004, 08:49 PM	#2
spsman Guest Posts: n/a	check 1) your wiring 2) your ballast (if spoilt, fuse will blow first to break the electricity) 3) your list of christmas "want to buys"... dun meddle w things u are unsure and please gnd your tank.

05-12-2004, 10:54 PM	#3
KaLiB Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 3,635	I doubt its a wiring problem as it has been running fine for many weeks without problem. It could be a ballast problem or it could just be water vapour resulting in a short circuit. Anyway to play safe, whenever i meddle with it, i ensure i stand on a ESD sheet before i try anything. __________________ A fishtank is just like your computer. When your tank crash(OS crash), its time to cleanup(reformat hard drive) and setup(install OS) again and add new livestock(re-install software).

07-12-2004, 01:14 PM	#4
devilfire Guest Posts: n/a	hi kalib, u mentioned ur bulb kept blowing off. i dun think it's ballast problem. it could b: 1) loose wires tat came in contact wif metals parts, 2) expose wires in contact wif each other, 3) expose wire came in contact wif water. hope tat helps.

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