Waterproofing the U/V electric assembly of a pond filter.

[Chainhurstman]

Managed to locate an exact ballast replacement at only €9.48 inc. p&p so almost certainly cheaper than any waterproofing solution (so long as it is the ballast that is tracking down to earth rather than some other component). Of slight concern, though, is that Tridonic (the manufacturers of the ballast unit) recommend a 4uF capacitor in parallel for PF correction, but the unit as supplied by Lotus has only a 0,047uF. What should I infer from this ?

 

[Marvo]

Probably that the Tridonic ballast is wire-wound and highly inductive whereas the new replacement ballast may be electronic and less inductive. Any PFC capacitor will be directly across the supply so make sure it's an 'X' type.

 

[LeeH]

Of slight concern, though, is that Tridonic (the manufacturers of the ballast unit) recommend a 4uF capacitor in parallel for PF correction, but the unit as supplied by Lotus has only a 0,047uF. What should I infer from this ?

Someone doesn't know their Farads from their elbow?

 

[Chainhurstman]

They are identical model numbers, Marvo, so I (rather naïvely, perhaps) assumed that they would be identical physically. Looking at the construction of the old one, I would conjecture that it is wire-wound (physically heavy, what appear to be two separate inductors sharing a common core and perhaps some integrated electronics that cannot be seen), and this is the one that has only a 0,047μF capacitor across line and neutral where they enter the assembly. When the replacement arrives, I shall report back as to whether it is indeed identical or not ... The spec. sheet is online, and the exact model is an EC 30 C502K.

Lee : Slightly worrying, if you are right !

 

[Marvo]

Ahh, I didn't realise it was a like-for-like replacement in which case any PF correction should be the same. I wouldn't worry too much about it, for warranty purposes just install the new ballast together with whatever capacitor is supplied with it.