[Prev][Next][Index]
Re: Fluorescent Light Woes
> From: sywang at whale_st.usm.edu (Shiao Y. Wang)
> I've experienced a variety of problems with florescent lights in the past
> few months and would like to know the cause and ways to correct the problem.
> These problems refer to rapid start lamps. Types of problems:
>
> 1. Turn on the switch, lamps glow faint orange at the ends but do not come
> on. They come on after a few minutes (times vary and unpredictable) by
> themselves.
Bad starter, stuck in the "start" position. Cheap to replace.
> 2. Turn on the switch, nothing happens. Twist the bulb slightly and it comes
> on and lights fine.
> 3. Turn on the switch, nothing happens. Touch or tap the metal hood and the
> lamp comes on and lights fine. This only happens with a T-8 Triton bulb.
> Regular T-12 bulb works fine.
Bad starter? These are basically the same situation, I think. When you
tap or move the bulb, it's sort of similar to making and breaking the
momentary contact switch used in some systems instead of a starter. Try
replacing the starter first & see if it clears up. If not, it's probably
the bulb. And if not the bulb, it has to be the ballast. :) If you have
a cheapo electronic ballast (lights-o-america shoplights & 24" "stick"
lights come to mind) then the whole thing will as a unit & you gotta
replace it (or rip out the guts & re-wire as instant-start T-8's).
- Erik
---
Erik D. Olson amazingly, at home
eriko at wrq_com