ATI powermodule 4x54w ballast issue

I've never had a T5 ballast die on me and am wondering if what I'm experiencing is a ballast failing. I plug one of the ballasts in and the bulbs flash but don't fire....but the third time I plug it in it powers up the bulbs up. They stay lit all day but never fire until the third try. Just want to get 3reef's opinion on whether its a ballast failing or some kind of wiring issue within the fixture. The ballast is a Vossloh Schwabe 2x54w...ref 254.008.

 

I ordered a replacement 2x54w ballast from Greg at reefgeek for $40. I'm hoping replacing the ballast resolves my issue. According to Greg, they switched their ballasts and are no longer using the VS ballasts. I'm curious to see what brand and model the replacement ballast is.

Once it arrives, I have to figure out a way to jam all of these wires back into the fixture lol.

 

Thanks for all the replies 3 reef! Geez....

So I got my new ballast (to power my 2 actinics) from reefgeek.....$39.99 + S&H, even came with free wires. Greg Morgan is a very good man. The main thing with these ATI fixtures is the ballast is a very tight fit in the fixture and the placement of the ballasts requires a replacement ballast with very specific dimensions so you can't just pop in any old ballast.

The ballast I received is an HEP Group SI254-58 UNI 2x54w T5 ballast. About 3 inches shorter than the VS ballast So I had to rewire 2 endcaps. All I needed was a paperclip to get the old endcaps off....very simple.

The ballast fired the bulbs without issues perfectly every time. So I set my timers and put the fixture above the tank. The next day I come home and only the actinics are on! I immediately thought I replaced the wrong ballast, so I took the old VS ballast and tested it with a retro I had laying around and it was indeed the ballast that had issues. So now I realized both ballasts were having the same problem..........!

 

I called reefgeek again to get yet another ballast. This time I did not speak to Greg, but some lady that answered the phone. I told her I needed another ballast that I ordered last week. She said sure, $27.99 and it comes with free endcaps and wires! Score. Ordered the second one, sure enough its another HEP Group ballast. Swapped out the old one and voila! $75 later I have 2 brand new ballasts in my 4x54w ATI powermodule fixture. Not really sure why the second time it came with endcaps and was $12 cheaper. Oh well. Let me know if anyone has any issues with their ATI powermodule fixture as I have taken mine apart 3 times and removed all of the guts with ease.

Below are some instructions reefgeek sent me to replace....
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*** Its extremely important that each wire is returned to its original location, so its recommended that each wire is marked with its location prior to removal. ***

1. Remove the acrylic cover, all bulbs and both of the stainless steel end-plates (Each is held in place with 5 screws.)

2. Determine which ballast needs to be replaced by following the wires from the socket locations in question to the ballast.

3. Remove the fan in the section of the fixture that is home to the ballast that needs to be replaced. To remove the fan, remove the 2 screws that are farther out than the other 2 screws in the ‘ATI’ fan guard. Depress the grey wire clips to remove each fan wire.

Black fan wire = Gray fixture wire
Red fan wire = Red/orange fixture wire

4. Loosen and remove the sockets for the bulb locations in question. (The wire and screws do not have to be removed at this time.) Straighten the wires and mark the location of each socket.

5. Remove the screw in the top of the fixture that is holding the ballast in place. The nut on the inside of the fixture must be held with a pair of pliers in order to loosen the screw.

Now the part were you have to be very carefully…

6. Pull the ballast out thru the side with the red and blue lamp wires.
- Make sure the sockets with the yellow lamp wires do not get caught on the end of the fixture or interior of the fixture
- It’s a bit tight but the will come out with a little pull.

7. Remove the lamp and power wires from the ballast in question.

8. Install new ballast by following this set of instructions in reverse.