Broken ballast or blown bulb?

[natty]

Was sitting watching my tank earlier and all the suddon the light went out. Its a 250w halide with 20,000 K coralife bulb. There was smoke and a terrible electrical smell. Wondering if its the ballast (has same smell) or the bulb. any ideas on which or why? :confused2:

 

[rockdog]

My guess is ballast. I have never known a bulb to have a smoke and smell when they go bad.

 

[tim8111]

Is the ballast electronic?

 

[zanski]

That stinks, didnt you just buy that light? ... lol

 

[natty]

tim8111;162836 wrote: Is the ballast electronic?

Plug goes from the wall to a metal box (assuming this is the ballast) with a power switch, then another cord going to the light. Yes zanski, it does stink. Just doing a little diagnostics before anything else. Anyone know what would cause a ballast to do that?

 

[jeff_mcphail]

saltwater

 

[chicagoman_35]

I have a couple ballasts for sale if ya need any... Used and work great. $30 each.

They are 250w MH

 

[rockdog]

some times the varnish on the wires of the coil fales and boom that is all she wrote!! sorry it died !