Convert or buy new?

[HAVAMAL]

I have a 42g hex tank I bought off of craigslist and my problem is the light fixture on/off switch you have to hold the button in for the light to come on, which my timer will turn it off but I still have to turn it on manually, so should I buy a new light or exactly what all would I have to change on the light to convert it?

 

[Homer8]

you may just need a new fluorescent light starter. Im guessing that you have a fluorescent light. They are cheap. ill post a picture of what they look like.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=O5kQTrDSOeeo0AHRqcywDg&ved=0CHoQ8wIwAQ

 

[HAVAMAL]

Well they went out again, the ballast is bad so I bought a LED light and I'm very pleased with it, it also has a built in night light to view the community.
I like this much better!

 

[aaronalam]

You could have just bridged the wires on the switch, which would make it constant on.

 

[HAVAMAL]

Yeah I posted this under the wrong one, I will try that on my hex tank, thanks, the picture in the post was for a different tank where I was having ballast problems.

 

[aaronalam]

Ah yeah I see now, yeah give the bridge a try, I assume the switch is broke and that's why you have to hold it?

You could just replace the switch but a free option is just to bridge the wires so it's constantly on, then let your timer do the on/off.

 

[HAVAMAL]

The switch is fine but it's a very old fixture, but I will try that, thanks!

 

[Mr. Limpet]

The switch is fine but it's a very old fixture, but I will try that, thanks!

Get a new ballast, the one you have is most likely old and not an autostart to boot. An electronic ballast will allow you to use the timer (+1 for that, love mine) and the newer style ballast will actually use less power to ignite your bulb.

 

[jsoong]

Old fluorescent fixtures has a starter rather than a ballast, and you need to hold the switch down to charge it to light.

I don't think it is a switch fault at all ... If it is, after you have the switch on by holding it, it would still be on (just as if you have used a jumper) when the timer cuts power and be on when the power turns on ....

So your best bet is a new ballast.