help w/dual 175w halide ballast

One side of my two halides is dimmer than the other. I just replaced the bulbs so I know that is not it. Something is wrong with the ballast. Any idea how to fix this or do I just buy a new one? Where would I get a new one?
Thx,
jason

pistonfister wrote: What type of ballist and what brand is it?

Hey Bruce, what's happening?

It's a PFO. Here is a picture of it:
(cut and paste the link)
http://www.pfolighting.com/AquariumPgFolder/AqJepgFiles90402 /AQ2.jpg

The funny thing is that both sides look funny now.
would you guys just recommend replacing the guts, or just buying a new one?

Edited by utahtaper

I just took it apart and found two transformers and two cap like things. Doesn't look to hard to replace stuff if I knew where to get the parts. What are the two cap like things?

To describe what's happening with the halides. One side started to look yellow and not as bright while the other side looked fine. So I thought it was time for new bulbs and bought new bulbs and installed them only to find that I still had the same problem with one side. Now a week later both sides are dimmer and yellow looking. Since both bulbs are brand new, I can only assume it's the ballast unless there are other possibilities. I wouldn't mind testing the bulbs on someone elses setup so I can at least eliminate that from the possibilities if anyone can help me out.
Thx,
jason

faviasteve wrote: What brand are the bulbs?Â

Plus
You know it's funny you asked. Cause after some testing I found that one of the caps inside the ballast is going bad. I put the old bulbs back in and the one side was still dimmer. So I switched the caps from one side to the other and found that the problem went to the other side. Which is weird cause on the new bulbs, both looked dimmer now. But truthfully I never really get to see the tank when it's starting up so the one side may look good for a while and then by the time I get home from work it goes dim due to the other cap starting to fail.
Now on to the bulbs...
They definitely put out a different light than the Ushio's and I have to admit I like the Ushio's better. But they were pretty cheap and I couldn't resist. I may switch back if it irritates me.

Edited by utahtaper