Problem with TMC 25W UV sterilizer...

[parker002]

It's making an intermittent "buzzing" sound, similar to the sound it makes when you first plug it in. However, it gets VERY loud at times.

[Carl]

This sounds like a ballast problem, which as very rare for this unit.

Is it lighting normally?
If not replacing the starter may help, otherwise I would recommend returning the ballast under warranty.


Carl

[parker002]

I pulled it out today and plugged it in...is the starter supposed to glow blue as well?

It's lighting intermittently, I'm going to try replacing the starter.

[Carl]

Dec 27, 2011 15:33:26 GMT -5 parker002 said:

I pulled it out today and plugged it in...is the starter supposed to glow blue as well?

It's lighting intermittently, I'm going to try replacing the starter.

By lighting intermittently, do you mean the starter flashed or the UV lamp fired then went off & on.

If this is the case, this describes a "burned" lamp, not the starter.
Generally a bad start does nothing.

Either way, the ballasts on these UVs go bad at a fraction of the time of ANY other UV I have used other than the custom (which uses a similar ballast), so the buzzing may be the ballast and starter attempting to fire a bad bulb.
If this is the case, I would not continue to allow it to "try" and start as this shortens the life of the starter (albeit a low cost part)

Carl

[parker002]

I just changed the bulb - it's one of the ones I bought from you. I'll try the other (I bought 2) and see what it does.

[parker002]

Dec 27, 2011 20:23:47 GMT -5 Carl said:

By lighting intermittently, do you mean the starter flashed or the UV lamp fired then went off & on.

Yes, exactly.

[Carl]

Dec 28, 2011 10:20:05 GMT -5 parker002 said:

I just changed the bulb - it's one of the ones I bought from you. I'll try the other (I bought 2) and see what it does.

Bad bulbs can happen, so keep in mind these are guaranteed for 6 months.

Carl