help is my balast overheating?

[CorbetJackson50]

My new (used) ballast i just got will fire my bulbs for about 5hrs then the right bulb goes out for about a half hour. there is a slight smell if you put your nose on the vents of the ballast. Can i put a fan on it or in it or am i going to need a new ballast.

[zedman]

I would get a new ballast, sounds like a fire waiting to happen
what kind of ballast do you have?


Zed

[CorbetJackson50]

not really sure of the brand ballast will post a pic if need be, can i add a computer fan? p.s the smell has gone away light just cuts off for about a half hour after running about 5-6 hrs then it comes back on til the timer goes off.

[dougchambers]

Try a fan just blowing on the ballast to see if it solves the problem. Even if it does, I'm with Zed. Thermal protection circuits can and do fail. Is a $159 ballast worth loosing your house or something even more important?

Is this a magnetic or electronic ballast? Can you touch it just before it shuts off?

-Doug