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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Williamstown, Melbourne
    Posts
    0

    Default When does fluoro ballast need replacing?

    This is one for the sparkys out there:

    When the fluoros start to flicker, it is usually a sign that the fluoro bulb itself needs to be changed. When I change the buld it usually has the telltale grey "burning" marks on the inside of the bulb.

    The question is, when (if ever) does the starter need to be changed?

    Does an old starter shorten the life of a new bulb?

    What symptoms does a light with an old starter exhibit? e.g. if a new bulb flickers 5-10 times on ignition, does this mean a new starter is required?

    (I did a search and couldn't find any answers.)
    Last edited by John G; 5th October 2007 at 12:53 PM. Reason: Realise I meant starter, not ballast

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Latrobe Valley Victoria
    Posts
    196

    Default

    You problem is the starter not the ballast
    Blackening at the end of the tube and flickering a lot on startup is classic symptoms.

    If the ballast goes the light will simply not work in more time than not it may take out a fuse.

    This may help http://home.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp.htm

    Incidentally new flouos have electronic ballasts and require no starter
    and illuminate almost instantly

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Williamstown, Melbourne
    Posts
    0

    Default

    OK, thanks, on reading your link I definitely meant starter, not ballast (I thought they were the same thing). I have edited the first post.

    I am asking because we've had our outdoor bug zapper for a few years now. The UV bulbs usually last a year, so we have replaced them several times. But I've never replaced the starter, and was wondering how I would know if I needed to?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    the 'burn
    Posts
    118

    Default

    at work when we replace fluro tubes we replace the starter at the same time.

    also, in a room if you replace all the tubes at once, when several start to flicker you know the rest are about to go too.

    it could get costly for a homeowner, but... "it's how the pros do it"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Cheltenham, Melbourne
    Age
    75
    Posts
    0

    Default

    New tube, new starter
    Chris
    ========================================

    Life isn't always fair

    ....................but it's better than the alternative.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Alexandra Vic
    Age
    69
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by John G View Post
    OK, thanks, on reading your link I definitely meant starter, not ballast (I thought they were the same thing). I have edited the first post.

    I am asking because we've had our outdoor bug zapper for a few years now. The UV bulbs usually last a year, so we have replaced them several times. But I've never replaced the starter, and was wondering how I would know if I needed to?
    For a bug zapper, there should be an inverter unit providing high voltage very low current for the ZAP, and the tube would normally be driven from the inverter as well. All the units that I have come accross have been, but they have been compact domestic units, not the commercial ones seen in food prep areas. Multi tube commercials could be starter/ballast or inverter driven.

    For the compacts, you won't have a starter or ballast, so you don't need to replace them. If the inverter dies, nothing works and its probably cheaper to replace the whole unit rather than repair.

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