Help!! T5 light fixture problem

So my faithful long life T5 fixture is having a problem. The fixture is a 48" Current-USA Outer orbit fixture with 6-54 watt bulbs.

It has 3 ballasts and 2 power cords. One power cord controls the fan and 1 ballast. The other power cord controls the other 2 ballasts. The 4 bulbs on the two ballasts controlled by one of the power cords works just fine.

The other power cord - the fan comes on just fine. Neither of the bulbs light up initially. But after some time (a few minutes to an hour) one of the bulbs lights up. The other bulb does not light up. I have tested (swapped bulbs around) and confirmed that the bulb is good. Initially I thought the problem was with the ballast, but now I'm not so sure. I've taken the unit apart and it is not a simple matter to switch which bulbs are connected to which ballast - so can't test the ballast that way.

Thoughts?????????

 

I would love to use the ATI ballast, but how does one know if the ballasts are compatable or not???? I called BRS yesterday afternoon and asked their tech person if I could use one of their T5 54w ballasts, and they said that I needed to call the manufacturer to see if they were compatable. I've tried calling Sunpack tech support, but only get their voice mail.

Also, when I looked at my ballast, it has 2 red and 2 blue wires coming out one side and then 2 yellow, 1 black and 1 white coming out the other side. Does that impact what is compatable or not?

 

Thanks everyone for the feedbzck. It's a big help. I'll write downthe specs listed on the existing ballast and compare with the ati ballast. Then i'll ask about any differences as I won't know what is signigicant.

 

Yes, it is old. And yes, I really should buy a new unit. I just don't want to be forced to make a quick decision now - so was looking if there was a reasonable cost solution that will allow me to evaluate different fixtures/options. I think I would like to try a LED/T5 combo. But, the all-in-one solutions on that are $1800 - $2200 - and I don't think it is worth that extra premium.

 

I bought an ATI sunpower (4 bulb) for my frag tank in December. I like it and know its a good option. The additional challenge I have with the DT is mounting. My current fixtures has legs. But leg mounts don't come with the ATI sunpower. My DT is in my loft which has a vaulted roof ceiling starting from the living room below. So the ceiling height at my tank is a good 7' above where the light fixture needs to hang. So hanging from the ceiling won't be an option.

 

@Sporty08 - The unit is about 8 years old. Not sure what you are asking when you say 'Does it have a starter'

@jeremy - Thanks for the link on the mounting brackets. I'll check them out for a possibility with the ATI Sunpower unit.

I looked closer at the ATI and Geismann hybrid units. Besides the large price premium, I question that they would be a cood option for a 48" tank. Both of those units have 3 led modules. That part makes sense. However, the LED unit that is in the middle would be putting its light directly over the tank's center brace. The center brace + the edges on the net top comes to almost 4" in width. I would think that that would block most of the light form the middle LED unit. ??????

This ballast is getting flaky... This afternoon both bulbs are lit on it.....

 

So here's a couple pics of my ballast:

The model is Sunpark T5120-254HOMPF. When I search for that I get info that a replacement is U-T5-2/54HC.

Based on input above and my searching I see 3 options:

1) A ballast from Suburban Reef 2x54Watt T-5 Raw Ballast
This ballast looks like mine. Specs indicate that it is the replacement for my model. Wires look the same as mine.
Price is $32 + $13 shipping or $45 total

2) A ballast from Shine Retrofits. $21 + $9 shipping = $30
Sunpark U-2/54T5HO 2 Lamp T5 Programmable Start Ballast

It has the correct replacement # of U-2/54 T5 HO. But it is confusing - title says programmable start. Details say instant start. The wiring doesn't look the same - so I wouldn't know what to do.....

This ballast is also at Nextech Lighting - but out of stock. The description here says that it is the replacement for
T5120-2/54 HO MPF and has specs listed. Interesting thing is that the pic here shows yellow wires on the right hand side - were as the pic on Shine Retrofits does not. ???? Nextech Lighting : U-2/54T5HO [T5120-2/54HO MPF Replace]

3) Lastly, based on the recommendations above - ATI Ballast. BRS sells an ATI T5 54w ballast - $25 - free shipping
2x54W T5 High-Output Ballast - ATI
No wires included. Would need help figuring it out. Also, size wize I would need to make an adjustment as it is 13 or 14" long - and my current ballast is only @10" long. There however is enough space that it could be made to work.

So you electrical techie people out there. Do you think any of the 3 would work?? Feedback?????

 

@jeremy - Didn't you add LED bars to your set-up? If so, which one? How do you have it mounted? Could you send me a pic??