siskiou Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 Does anyone have an idea what could be causing a T5 fixture (8-lamp TEK) to occasionally produce a vibrating buzzing noise that stops when I touch the fixture? It works fine otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Does it have a fan? It could be out of balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted August 14, 2007 Author Share Posted August 14, 2007 No, it doesn't have a fan. But something definitely causes a vibration. The fixture is hanging from the ceiling and doesn't touch the tank. I have a fan blowing on the tank, which is fairly close to the light fixture, but the "buzzing" happens even when the fan is off... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 The next thing that comes to mind is an electrical arch. Is there anyway to describe it besides "buzzing"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Its a Teklight Might be something loose. My first Teklight crapped out the first day I got it. Good luck. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted August 14, 2007 Author Share Posted August 14, 2007 Well, it's a slight vibration of the whole fixture that's causing the sound. When I touch the fixture, the vibration/noise stops. If I let it be, it will keep going for a short while (less than a minute), stop by itself and start again a while later. It never does it when the light is off. There is nothing I can think off that would be the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 If you are sure it is a vibration, then it would have to be something that is moving. (Besides electrons (laugh)). What moving pieces if any does it have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted August 14, 2007 Author Share Posted August 14, 2007 None! Don't bulbs sometimes buzz when they are going bad? I guess I could replace one at a time over a few days and see if the buzzing disappears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 You say none so quickly. (nono) But does it have a switch? (scratch) The bulbs move. (whistle). There may be other things that I haven't thought of. What about a loose endcap? Don't get to upset with the smilies I just got carried away with them. DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 My 6 bulb TEK light also makes a vibration. I thought I was the only one. Mine was set (for now) on a pair of 2x4 pieces of wood (until I get around to making some legs or hanging it from the ceiling). It would cause the whole tank to resonate and make a wierd noise. How I "fixed" it was to put a small piece of wood under one corner and make it so it was not touching the boards evenly. That way it did not make the resonance vibration with the tank. I think it still vibrates though. IDK a good solution. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted August 14, 2007 Author Share Posted August 14, 2007 Strange! Nice to know I'm not the only one having encountered this. I wonder if Sunlight Supply has an answer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted August 15, 2007 Author Share Posted August 15, 2007 I called them today, and the technician thought it might be a ballast problem. Before I send it in, I'm going to change the bulbs one at a time, in case that's the problem. Does anyone have a fixture I could borrow/rent, if I have to send in the Tek light? All I have is a 96w pc light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 My tek light t-5 fixture crapped out on me yesterday(flame) I swear I didn't drop it or anything, all I did was remove it from the apartment and transfer it to my house. I have the 4 bulk fixture. The inside 2 are working okay, it's the outer ones that don't turn on at all. It's been 10 months...is there a warranty? I also don't have a spare fixture to use if I have to send it in....this sux.(sad). Do I bring it to the store I bought it from or to sunlight supply? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share Posted August 20, 2007 Don't they have 2 years warranty? I know it's at least one year, so you should be able to get it repaired for free. Isn't the company really close to Portland? I would just take it in, or call and have them send you an RMA. Or try a new bulb or two! If one of the bulbs on one ballast broke, the other one won't tun on either. Maybe they got shaken up a bit and something disconnected in a bulb? I've changed out the front bulb on mine, and am starting to hope the buzzing was just a bad bulb. I haven't had time to be near the tank much, though, so I'm holding back on judgment a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Sunlight Supplies corporate offices are about 3 miles from my house. (Before the moved, they were only a few blocks away) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquidHC Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Its very common for lights to buzz if they are not completely seated in the endcap. The electricity arcs and creates the sound. Vibrating though? I have no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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