circular florescent switch

I have a circular florescent lamp with a magnifying glass. The switch seems to have bit the dust. It is a rocker with momentary an one side, full on in the center and off on the other side. The bulb is a T9, 22 watt with a 4 pin connector. Can I wire this direct or use a couple of toggle switches to make it work? It is in my shop and not a thing of beauty so I don't care how it looks.

 

If the switch doesn't serve as a starter, yes.

 

What is the purpose of the momentary contact side of the switch? If that is for starting the lamp, you'll need another switch like the one you have.

 

If I'm hearing you correctly, the switch works by holding it down to the left until the lamp (the bulb) fires up. Then you release it, the switch returns to center, and the light stays on. If so, have you tried replacing the lamp?

 

Yes the bulb is new and works. the bulb starts (dim) but when switch returns to center the light momentarily brightens and then goes out. I guess I need to know how a florescent works and the wiring with switch functions. Thanks for your input.

 

It could be that the switch is failing, but it sounds more like a bad starter. Look for that between the cord and the switch - possibly in the base.

 

On older lights the switch acts as a starter by manually shorting the filaments at the ends of the tube. Then when you release the momentary contact portion of the switch the filaments are disconnected and the light works. I would suspect the ballast since you wrote: That to me indicates a ballast failing perhaps under load. New switch though is the first thing to try. A lighting store or hardware store not BigBox would be your best source for that. If it is a switch that works as a manual starter a regular switch won't work. Is this the type of switch you have: FLUORESCENT STARTER SWITCH | AllElectronics.com

 

I've found that the Lamp Factory Outlet often has relatively obscure parts in stock.

 

Went to ALL electronics. Looks like the same switch. The voltage coming from the base to the switch is 110 VAC. This makes me think that the starter is in the switch. Thanks for the input.