ATI Sunpower dimmable fixture troubleshooting - bulbs not firing

[ryancamaratta]

So if there's anyone else here running a dimmable Sunpower fixture, I'd love to hear from you. Trying to troubleshoot an issue that started a couple days ago.

If I were to number the bulbs from 1 to 6 with one being at the front panel of the tank and 6 being at the rear panel, bulbs #4 and #6 don't fire up when the fixture starts going through the programmed light schedule.

You can set channels one and two to "off", "auto", or a manual percent from 1-100%.

If I turn channels on manually like that from an off state, everything comes on. But if I leave them set to auto and let them come on when my schedule starts, bulbs 4 and 6 don't come on at all (no flickering etc, just don't come on period).

Now what's indicating some kind of issue with the fixture is that if I adjust either of those bulbs by grabbing them, twisting them out quick and then locking them back in, both bulbs will come on. They're both part of channel 2, but the rest of the channel two bulbs fire up no problem without any adjustments or anything.

I haven't changed the schedule in awhile, haven't messed with the programming, and I tried to swap bulbs 4 and 6 out of the fixture entirely for fresh bulbs, but no change.

Wondering how I'd go about troubleshooting this further, or if there's anyone that had the same fixture and the same problem. It's a 6x54w though I doubt the bulb count makes a difference.

 

[Burr740]

@plantbrain

 

[plantbrain]

So if there's anyone else here running a dimmable Sunpower fixture, I'd love to hear from you. Trying to troubleshoot an issue that started a couple days ago.

If I were to number the bulbs from 1 to 6 with one being at the front panel of the tank and 6 being at the rear panel, bulbs #4 and #6 don't fire up when the fixture starts going through the programmed light schedule.

You can set channels one and two to "off", "auto", or a manual percent from 1-100%.

If I turn channels on manually like that from an off state, everything comes on. But if I leave them set to auto and let them come on when my schedule starts, bulbs 4 and 6 don't come on at all (no flickering etc, just don't come on period).

Now what's indicating some kind of issue with the fixture is that if I adjust either of those bulbs by grabbing them, twisting them out quick and then locking them back in, both bulbs will come on. They're both part of channel 2, but the rest of the channel two bulbs fire up no problem without any adjustments or anything.

I haven't changed the schedule in awhile, haven't messed with the programming, and I tried to swap bulbs 4 and 6 out of the fixture entirely for fresh bulbs, but no change.

Wondering how I'd go about troubleshooting this further, or if there's anyone that had the same fixture and the same problem. It's a 6x54w though I doubt the bulb count makes a difference.

Prob a short on that 2 bulb circuit. Could be within the circuit dimmer part, but if you run manual, that circuit is not used. You'd likely have to replace the dimmer circuit to fix it. You could take a look at the end caps, and other wire connections, a slight ground etc could be the issue also. Likely one of those two issues. BTW, I have 8x54 W non dimming ATI fixture for sale, about 1/2 the cost, and two 36 dimmable versions, also, 1/2 lowest cost new versions(350 range) and they come with nice plant bulbs and extra ones.

 

[ryancamaratta]

Prob a short on that 2 bulb circuit. Could be within the circuit dimmer part, but if you run manual, that circuit is not used. You'd likely have to replace the dimmer circuit to fix it. You could take a look at the end caps, and other wire connections, a slight ground etc could be the issue also. Likely one of those two issues. BTW, I have 8x54 W non dimming ATI fixture for sale, about 1/2 the cost, and two 36 dimmable versions, also, 1/2 lowest cost new versions(350 range) and they come with nice plant bulbs and extra ones.

I shot ATI an email, they said they think it might be the connectors on the bulbs (posting screenshots) so I'm gonna pull the housing off tomorrow and check for corrosion, while I have it off I'll check wires to see if anything's accidentally grounded out, thanks for that. Any idea what I'm looking for as far as a dimmer circuit? I did have this apart once before but I'm not really inclined to this kind of thing

Cool if I shoot you a msg on fb about the 8 bulb?

 

[GreggZ]

@plantbrain

I love this. You call out for @plantbrain and he shows right up. It's like the bat phone!

 

[plantbrain]

Hi, their reasoning likely holds water. The less, much less energy going across if you have it set on dimmer less than 100%, to check this, set the dimmer to 100% and non manual(Not sure why they did not suggest this). If you only start off at say 1-5% and then ramp up, there may not be enough current the bridge the gap. I doubt it's corrosion, that typically is a Reef/Marine issue, not a FW unless you have the fixture inside a closed hood etc. The ends of the bulbs could be wiped off and add some corrosion inhibitor and contact oil etc. Auto stores have it for battery terminals. FB is fine

 

[ryancamaratta]

Hi, their reasoning likely holds water. The less, much less energy going across if you have it set on dimmer less than 100%, to check this, set the dimmer to 100% and non manual(Not sure why they did not suggest this). If you only start off at say 1-5% and then ramp up, there may not be enough current the bridge the gap. I doubt it's corrosion, that typically is a Reef/Marine issue, not a FW unless you have the fixture inside a closed hood etc. The ends of the bulbs could be wiped off and add some corrosion inhibitor and contact oil etc. Auto stores have it for battery terminals. FB is fine

Makes sense about the dimmer, I didn't consider that. I'll check everything out when I take the housing off tomorrow and shoot you a message

Corrosion eh I doubt it too but it's the easiest thing to start with. It's not in a hood or canopy or anything but it is a secondhand from a reef guy. I thought I cleaned everything pretty well when I got it but we'll see

 

[Burr740]

I love this. You call out for @plantbrain and he shows right up. It's like the bat phone!

Hah, I just knew he's run one or two of these specifically for a few years and probably knows a lot about it. Big props to Tom for the help

 

[ryancamaratta]

Hah, I just knew he's run one or two of these specifically for a few years and probably knows a lot about it. Big props to Tom for the help

Yeah I knew someone had to have experience with the ATI fixtures, thanks for the tag out!

Figured it was probably an issue unique to this fixture and looks like that was accurate. Bulbs have fired up no problem the past two days after cleaning the connectors so here's to simple fixes

Now to work this 633nm into the mix somewhere and start messing with bulb combos again, T5's another hobby all by itself sometimes...

 

[ryancamaratta]

I love this. You call out for @plantbrain and he shows right up. It's like the bat phone!

Now I'm wondering what signal the city of Gotham would shine into the night sky if they needed Tom's help