Please Help, Vision 180 Lighting issues

[sdleigh]

I have a Juwel Vision 180 with their standard lighting, and everytime my lights switch on, both come on for just a second and then turn off.

I cannot get to the starters as i think they are encased, so should i assume this is its way of saying that one of more of the tubes are dead? i have noticed that one end of one tube has darkened, about 2 inch across it, and when they light up for that second, that section has no glow.

I am going on the hunt for 2 new ones tonight (day light, and natural light). But just want to make sure in other peoples experices that this is whats wrong, cheers all!

 

[D-MAC]

I suspect a tube issue if it is black on the end...There are no starters in the Juwel lighting units as they have electronic ballasts...I always ask the customer to bring the unit in to me so I can make sure it is the tubes and not the unit.
They do have a 2 year warranty but Juwel are very stringent now with claims...You need to provide a receipt as proof of purchase... If you don't have this there is a date stamp on the unit as to the date of manufacture...If the unit is within 2 years of the date stamp they will still honour the warranty claim.

 

[sdleigh]

I suspect a tube issue if it is black on the end...There are no starters in the Juwel lighting units as they have electronic ballasts...I always ask the customer to bring the unit in to me so I can make sure it is the tubes and not the unit.
They do have a 2 year warranty but Juwel are very stringent now with claims...You need to provide a receipt as proof of purchase... If you don't have this there is a date stamp on the unit as to the date of manufacture...If the unit is within 2 years of the date stamp they will still honour the warranty claim.

cheers for the info Derek, i really hope its just a tube problem, ill get some tonight, and see if that works, i bought the tank second hand around 5 months ago, and im not sure how long the previous owner had it before that, but ill look for the date stamp you mentioned on it, thats if it is a unit problem.... fingers crossed its just a blown blub

Thanks again

 

[D-MAC]

cheers for the info Derek, i really hope its just a tube problem, ill get some tonight, and see if that works, i bought the tank second hand around 5 months ago, and im not sure how long the previous owner had it before that, but ill look for the date stamp you mentioned on it, thats if it is a unit problem.... fingers crossed its just a blown blub

Thanks again

It is a tiny round stamp about 3-5mm, I think it about the area the flex comes out the unit

 

[macvsog23]

It is a tiny round stamp about 3-5mm, I think it about the area the flex comes out the unit

Derek is spot on with the situation with these units the reason they started to get quite strict on the returns was due to people using the tank with out a cover glass sadly some thing that is a total pain to fit to a tank with this sort of lighting.
The units are sealed and quite frankly the sealing is not in many cases quite up to the job.
i belive the IP rating is some thing like 46 and in my opinion should be higher.
Should the ballasts have failed I would just rip the lot out and mastic a stranded lighting unit in place. but do fit a cover glass as if it falls in the tank big bang

 

[sdleigh]

oh thanks for that, i am wanting to to go with LED to cut down power consumption, but i will have to save up for that, or come across a good deal on ebay.

I think i will install myself a 'cover glass' in the meantime i reckon. any ideas on how to start with this? would plastic condenstation panels do a good job?

thanks again for the replies guys

 

[macvsog23]

LED can be done quite cheap
A sheet of plastic a hole cutter and 5 GU10 lamps with holders would cost around £40 to £50

 

[sdleigh]

well, turns out it was a blown tube, got myself a natural and once again looking good in there! however, this situation did make me poop my pants at the thought of having to fork out possibly 80 notes for a new unit, on the same month as my car MOT (deffinately going to fail btw, but thats for another forum lol) so going to save up and get a good quality led arangement, maybe what you suggested there mac. plus its always better on power consumption.

bottom line, over reacted post, but learning my lessons

cheers again guys for your replys