6x39w ATI Sunpower Dimm. Trouble

[Bryeman]

I bought two of these fixtures. One is up, programmed, and works like a charm (so far). The second one is up and only two bulbs turned on, and the little controller screen is lit up, but completely blank (well lit, no numbers, letters, or symbols). Looks like out of the 4 bulbs not completely turned on, at least 2-3 of them may be on but very low (probably less than 5-10%. Anyone experienced this? I'm guesing the fixture is broke and it's going to be a long painful time getting it fixed. I have a call in, but waiting on a return call. Wanted to see if someone on here could answer since I get the feeling customer service could slide into tomorrow on this one.

 

[Gerryd]

Hey,

Sorry to hear that. It may be either the ballast or the controller itself. I didn't have this specific issue, but did have to send one of mine back for repair. Took < 2 weeks to get it back once they received it. Hope you kept the box...

They did send me a new controller but I did not feel comfortable replacing it so I sent it back. All is fine now...

Where did you buy it? I used premium aquatics and they were helpful as a liason...

That said, I used my single fixture for weeks. Just place it in the middle of the tank...

 

[Bryeman]

Hey,

Sorry to hear that. It may be either the ballast or the controller itself. I didn't have this specific issue, but did have to send one of mine back for repair. Took < 2 weeks to get it back once they received it. Hope you kept the box...

They did send me a new controller but I did not feel comfortable replacing it so I sent it back. All is fine now...

Where did you buy it? I used premium aquatics and they were helpful as a liason...

That said, I used my single fixture for weeks. Just place it in the middle of the tank...

I bought both from ReefGeek. They sound nice on the phone and are going to call me back so we'll see. Obviously not impressed with one not working, but at this point, I'm used to stuff not working. I have both boxes so I'm prepared! I was hoping it would be simple like maybe a bulb was out and caused it, but looking doubtful.

 

[Gerryd]

I bought both from ReefGeek. They sound nice on the phone and are going to call me back so we'll see. Obviously not impressed with one not working, but at this point, I'm used to stuff not working. I have both boxes so I'm prepared! I was hoping it would be simple like maybe a bulb was out and caused it, but looking doubtful.

Well, I had issues with the one fixture but the other has been fine....I agree that their quality controls are lacking. I find it hard to believe these worked prior to shipping and that shipping/packing caused the issues...

For the amount of $ they want, there should be NO problems.

When bulbs are out it will cause all of the tubes on the ballast to not work as expected esp when it comes to dimming them.

Can you work the light with the manual switch? Does it ever light?

 

[Bryeman]

Well, I had issues with the one fixture but the other has been fine....I agree that their quality controls are lacking. I find it hard to believe these worked prior to shipping and that shipping/packing caused the issues...

For the amount of $ they want, there should be NO problems.

When bulbs are out it will cause all of the tubes on the ballast to not work as expected esp when it comes to dimming them.

Can you work the light with the manual switch? Does it ever light?

Well wonders never cease.... I had a melt down, swore off this hobby once and for all. Figured I'd plug it in one more time and it works! Actually, the melt down part is close to true, but would never swear off this hobby. It does work now though. Not sure what happened. Light #1 and #3 didn't work though, so I called the place back up and said those were on the same ballast. Somehow I broke a light in the 10 minutes of transferring and installing bulbs. I figured which one of the two it was, replaced it and boom goes the dynamite. Very nice fixtures when working. Super impressed. Can't believe how bright they were at 70%. I know I'll have to back them down once I get my PAR meter tomorrow, but it's a starting point for now. I'm not impressed with the controller buttons and steps needed to setup, but certainly isn't a deal breaker. I'm always a huge fan of instructions too, but apparently not everyone is. Luckily in the days of the internet you can find anything out now. Very impressive light fixtures though. I'm going to keep it simple and run a 0-70% startup for 2 hours, 6 hours at 70% (or whatever I end up at), and then back to 0% for the last 2 hours.

 

[Gerryd]

Cool and glad you got it to work..

I can walk you through the setup if you want. What is your complaint with the buttons?

I think 70% is a lot of light. Remember I use only 35% and still get 70-80 mmoles at the substrate..raised 14" above the tank.

I have found the ATI bulbs esp seem to be 'fragile' and have replaced 3 of them so far..but could have been just my luck!

Glad to hear they are working. They are impressive and great fixtures when they work!

 

[Bryeman]

Cool and glad you got it to work..

I can walk you through the setup if you want. What is your complaint with the buttons?

I think 70% is a lot of light. Remember I use only 35% and still get 70-80 mmoles at the substrate..raised 14" above the tank.

I have found the ATI bulbs esp seem to be 'fragile' and have replaced 3 of them so far..but could have been just my luck!

Glad to hear they are working. They are impressive and great fixtures when they work!

I have it all programmed now. I don't have a problem with the buttons necessarily, but it's a different program style then I'm used to and the lack of directions only enhanced it. I have no doubt 70% is going to be too much after seeing it. I'll get a good look at it tomorrow after work and adjust down once I bust out the PAR meter assuming it shows up. I'm frankly exhausted and haven't slept well the last few nights, so going to bed early so I can fine tune tomorrow! Thanks again for all your help Gerry. Getting a Lifetime membership was the best money I've spent in this hobby (ATI fixtures close second!)

 

[Tom Barr]

It's not a exactly what many think as far as programming, but..............once you get it down, it's REALLY easy and fast.

I had one act weird till I broke it in.
One had to be sent back out of the 5 I own.

They were cool about it. Very nice, but it was an inconvenience.
But that's the worse that will occur, the sellers and the company seem to be cool about it.

I've had zero issues since.

 

[Bryeman]

First full day in, but I'm totally digging this so far. I'm about 75% putting my plants in now, and I'm excited that these are all submersed growth already so should be quick start up. So excited in fact that I took an extra day of work off tomorrow so I can sit back for the next 6 days and admire the glow!

 

[Bryeman]

Cool and glad you got it to work..

I can walk you through the setup if you want. What is your complaint with the buttons?

I think 70% is a lot of light. Remember I use only 35% and still get 70-80 mmoles at the substrate..raised 14" above the tank.

I have found the ATI bulbs esp seem to be 'fragile' and have replaced 3 of them so far..but could have been just my luck!

Glad to hear they are working. They are impressive and great fixtures when they work!

Do you think 70-80 mmoles at the substrate level is a good starting place for lighting and then monitor from there? I'm just now busting out the PAR meter and taking measurements. 70% is going to be way too much for light like everyone indicated it would be. I was around 40mmoles in the center of the tank at 20%.

 

[Gerryd]

Do you think 70-80 mmoles at the substrate level is a good starting place for lighting and then monitor from there? I'm just now busting out the PAR meter and taking measurements. 70% is going to be way too much for light like everyone indicated it would be. I was around 40mmoles in the center of the tank at 20%.

50 mmoles is a good starting point and go from there. Remember you need to give it time between adjustments to determine plant growth....70-80 is more towards the high end...

 

[Bryeman]

50 mmoles is a good starting point and go from there. Remember you need to give it time between adjustments to determine plant growth....70-80 is more towards the high end...

ok, Thanks for the info!