Fluorescent light in utility room (kitchen, lights, price, better) - House -remodeling, decorating, construction, energy use, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, building, rooms - City-Data Forum

Stripes17 · 10-15-2009, 06:15 PM

Need some help... We have a four year old fluorescent light fixture in our utility room that is acting up.

It is not the type with the long, straight tubes, but it had two round or circular tubes. One is about six inches in diameter and the other is about nine inches in diameter. It's pretty reminiscent of the old kitchen light in the house I grew up in.

The smaller tube is mounted inside the ring of the larger tube. In the middle of everything is a ballast box. I don't see a starter.

When you flip on the wall switch, the lights flicker and flash, without coming fully on. Sometimes they will completely light as they should, but most of the time they are both dim and flashing.

Please help me diagnose this. TIA!

southgeorgia · 10-15-2009, 06:19 PM

those fixtures don't have the screw-in starter.

its either the bulb or the ballast.

they both give the same symptoms. unless you know how to test a ballast, the easiest thing for you to do is try a new bulb. if the problem persists, replace the ballast.

(901) · 10-15-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

those fixtures don't have the screw-in starter.

its either the bulb or the ballast.

they both give the same symptoms. unless you know how to test a ballast, the easiest thing for you to do is try a new bulb. if the problem persists, replace the ballast.

He stole my thunder ^^^

M3 Mitch · 10-15-2009, 08:07 PM

Yeah, this is actually typical of a "burnt out" bulb - they don't go all at once like incandescent bulbs do.

ukiyo-e · 10-16-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Yeah, this is actually typical of a "burnt out" bulb - they don't go all at once like incandescent bulbs do.

If you replace the bulb and it starts acting the same way within a short period of time, it's the ballast.

Stripes17 · 10-17-2009, 07:28 PM

It was the bulbs! Thanks all.

(901) · 10-17-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stripes17

It was the bulbs! Thanks all.

No, thank you for upping my rep

Steve Bagu · 10-18-2009, 10:46 PM

The fixture is four yrs old.

Why not spend the difference of a bulb price and a NEW unit by eplacing the entire unit (updated of course).

Find that sometimes it is better to just buy an entire NEW unit and be worry free for the next four yrs.

Maybe a style change is due.

rubytue · 10-19-2009, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bagu

The fixture is four yrs old.

Why not spend the difference of a bulb price and a NEW unit by eplacing the entire unit (updated of course).

Find that sometimes it is better to just buy an entire NEW unit and be worry free for the next four yrs.

Maybe a style change is due.

Wow, way to encourage a disposable society...