Troubleshooting newly dead(?) Aqualight 1x65W fixture

[rusticitas]

Yesterday when I came home I noticed my 20-long with a Coralife Aqualight PC 1x65W fixture was dark. Doing some investigating, it was not the bulb, the switch plug or outlet. There is a "tangy metallic" odor coming from it. I have removed the bulb, and end cover and reflector and the odor is stronger.

Might this be the ballast?

The fixture is not that old, only about a year.

(I know this is not really a plant topic, per se, but I figure this has likely occurred before, and perhaps someone can help me ID what I need to replace or try.)

Thanks.

 

[Tom Barr]

Check the connector junction where the pins go in. Often the short is there and you can pull the bulb out and see blackening or melting of the plastic near the pins.
You might just need to replace that.

Regards,
Tom Barr