Okay. This post doesn't fit with the general theme of USM, but it's better here than over at PTWD, so here goes...
My Fluval Roma 90 Aquarium Light Canopy stopped working a few days ago. Both lights failed simultaneously which I took as a pretty clear indication that I didn't just need to replace the bulbs.
I googled the problem, and found absolutely nothing online, apart from a few links telling me I needed a whole new unit, and a number of sites attempting to sell me one for around £80 ($125). So, "fuck that," I thought, and cracked the thing open.
There are six tabs that hold the lid of the unit on. Use a flathead screwdriver to pop these out from underneath. The lid is glued down, so you will have to use some force - I was fairly rough with it and didn't damage it all.
You can see the two starters on the left, one for each bulb, so again, very unlikely that they've failed at the same time. That leaves the choke (the big white thing in the middle) as the only real potential culprit.
I googled the brand and model of the choke: "Helvar L30A," and found a few results. I ordered one for just over £10 including tax and shipping from lightbulbs2u.com, which arrived in around 36 hours.
Two screws hold the choke in place. Remove these with a crosshead driver, and cut the two wires going into the unit. Twist your wires, and simply push them into the contacts of the new unit, they automatically clamp in place.
Put everything back together, test it, put it on your aquarium, turn it on. Done. You've just saved yourself £70 ($105).
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