Lights shorting out, or need new bulbs?

[firestorm]

Ok, now to betray my newness - my lights are going out. I plug them in and they turn on for a second, every time, but then they cut off after about 5 seconds.

Any idea whether this is an electrical issue with the lights, or do I just need new bulbs?

And fyi, I did a couple searches, couldn't find a prev post like this - if anyone has a link, I'll gladly read there first.

Thanks all, and the

feeling is what I have atm...

 

[salt210]

you should try this in the equipment forum, might get more and faster answers. I would check the grounds and if it is a fixture I would check the seats of the lights and the connections at the sockets

 

[firestorm]

Tried switching plugs, sockets, adjusting bulbs to make sure nothing is loose, moved the wiring to see if I'd get a longer lasting light (aka, a short at the base of the wire). Everything I could think of. Thought about posting in EQ forum, but imo it'll be days before it gets answered if I do (everyone there is more interested in DIY and sumps/refugs). I think i just bought a bad set of used lights *sighs*
teach me to try and save $$

 

[valgae]

what kind of light is it? pc, flourescent, mh?

 

[firestorm]

T5's, 1 white, 1 blue

 

[culp]

i don't think it sounds like the bulbs. it could be the ballast failing.

 

[firestorm]

how the heck do I fix that? or who could I take it to to fix it? (electrician? LFS?)

 

[salt210]

you can buy a new ballast online.

 

[culp]

what light fixture do you have?
is the ballast inside the fixture or a external ballast?