high bay light fixtures

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

codeunderstanding

Senior Member
When a ballast goes bad a a high bay light fixture can you change out the ballast with out taking down the light? These lights are hanged on ridged pipe with the ball on the box end on the ceiling.
 
codeunderstanding said:
When a ballast goes bad a a high bay light fixture can you change out the ballast with out taking down the light? These lights are hanged on ridged pipe with the ball on the box end on the ceiling.
Click to expand...

Lums are "hung." Horse-thieves are "hanged."

I can't recall if I was able to access the ballast without disrupting the suspension method.
 
nyerinfl said:
Can you get the ballast housing open?
Click to expand...

I don't know yet I haven't been out to see them yet. I have never changed one out so I was going to ask before take the light down. These are at a DSW shoe store if anyone has worked on one of those.
 
The type they use at the DSW in my area need to be taken down as the ballast compartment is also part of the suspension system. Although not all DSW's around here have the same type of High Bay, some are Low Bays and mount directly to the bar joists and those must be removed to replace the ballast. Personally I would check the Caps as that is what goes out the most and those can be removed without taking it down.
 
Chris6245 said:
The type they use at the DSW in my area need to be taken down as the ballast compartment is also part of the suspension system. Although not all DSW's around here have the same type of High Bay, some are Low Bays and mount directly to the bar joists and those must be removed to replace the ballast. Personally I would check the Caps as that is what goes out the most and those can be removed without taking it down.
Click to expand...

What are the caps you are talking about?
 
codeunderstanding said:
There is capacitors in high bay lights?

Are those in there for power factor correction and lamp starting?
Click to expand...

Yes and they do go bad.Depending on labor involved to get at this i would change everything.If it goes out again soon they will want it free.Be sure to identify wich ones you fixed
 
codeunderstanding said:
When a ballast goes bad a a high bay light fixture can you change out the ballast with out taking down the light? These lights are hanged on ridged pipe with the ball on the box end on the ceiling.
Click to expand...
most high bays, u take the shade off, when u look in side you see the reflector. with the bulb socket. the reflector is held on by screws. so just take out the bulb and unscrew the screws that hold the reflector. the ballast is in that compartment that the reflector hides. but it can be a pain in the ass. you shouldn't have to take down the whole light. but thats the kind of high bays i'm used to installing.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
....Be sure to identify wich ones you fixed
Click to expand...

Always use a Sharpie and put your initials and date on the inside of the housing. That way, when you take it down, you know if you've changed it, and if so, when you did.
 
480sparky said:
Always use a Sharpie and put your initials and date on the inside of the housing. That way, when you take it down, you know if you've changed it, and if so, when you did.
Click to expand...
If not your intiials the companies....

Anyway - odds are you'll be doing some dis-and re-assembley in the air to change a ballast without taking it down. RPITA! I usually do it like this.... Two guys in a lift, take down first fixture - drive to next while other guy guts the fixture, start taking that one down - by which time the first fixture is ready - then swap the first for the next - repeat - go back put last fixture in place of first... And since I'm there doing ballasts - I usually sell the WHOLE area - lamps and ballasts - all new... No games with this one or that one - ALL OF THEM....
 
The high bays your talkin about , the ballast assembly is sep. from the lense and socket, and the pipe goes right into that box w/ the ballast in it. Changing the ballast sux and you'll be glad you took the light down to change it on the ground.

*make sure you get the same ballast, if you get another ballast that has more taps, the size will be bigger and may not fit in the ballast box.

If the cap is bad, a lot of times the light will be lit, but very dim.

I have seen a lot of problems w/ the Advance cap's that are plastic w/ the two leads coming out. The metal caps that you sta-kon onto hold up better. (and I believe are cheaper.)

If it's a real PITA to access these lights, I would change the ballast and everything even if it is just the CAP, new bulb and all.
 
SiddMartin said:
..... I would change the ballast and everything even if it is just the CAP, new bulb and all.
Click to expand...

SOP for every HID fixture I work on that is higher than a 12' stepladder will get. As long as you're using a lift or bucket truck, it's more than worth it to change everything out.... ballast, cap, ignitor, bulb, the whole 9 yards. It's too expensive to go back up again and again replacing parts one at a time.
 
Most customers don't like having to call you back for the same issue either. Fix it right the first time. Don't get a call back- then get called back for another issue because you lite their world.
 
480sparky said:
SOP for every HID fixture I work on that is higher than a 12' stepladder will get. As long as you're using a lift or bucket truck, it's more than worth it to change everything out.... ballast, cap, ignitor, bulb, the whole 9 yards. It's too expensive to go back up again and again replacing parts one at a time.
Click to expand...

What does sop stand for?
 
480sparky said:
As long as you're using a lift or bucket truck, it's more than worth it to change everything out.... ballast, cap, ignitor, bulb, the whole 9 yards.
Click to expand...
Is that really cheaper than replacing the entire unit, with time in consideration?
 
LarryFine said:
Is that really cheaper than replacing the entire unit, with time in consideration?
Click to expand...

How long will it take to isolate the one bad component? Then to test the fixture? How long do you let it run before you think it's OK?

THEN, what happens when another component burns out two weeks later? You think you'll have a happy customer?

If you're going to start fixing HIDs on a component level, then you also need to carry an inventory of parts. The last lot light job I did, I had 4 250w HPS on 30' poles. I'd need to buy 4 bulbs, 4 caps, 4 ignitors and 4 ballast. If each light had one bad component, I'd end up with 12 parts left over. Do I spend the money to return them, or do I spend the money to carry them in inventory?

The Marines and the Army have snipers to take out a target. The Air Force and Navy use bombers and gunships. I prefer the latter... lay down a wide path of destuction in order to assure a target elemination.:D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top