Flourescent Bulb troubles......looking for answers
#1
03-28-18, 06:03 PM
Flourescent Bulb troubles......looking for answers
I have an 8' T12 double recessed contact point fixture that holds 2 bulbs. When I started one bulb would work but dim and the second bulb would not. I tried a new bulb for the one that would not work and it did not work. I changed the ballast, twice, and both times neither bulb would work. The second time though one bulb flickered on for about a nanosecond. My question is when I put my non contact voltage tester against the pins on the side of the contacts that slide in I got red for voltage. When I put my tester against the pins on the side of the contacts that is stationery i got no voltage reading. Would this be a bad ballast or bad contacts on the fixture?
#2
03-29-18, 12:07 AM
Member
Just throw the bulbs and ballast away and install some LED lights, soooo much simpler and the light is amazing!
#3
03-29-18, 12:23 AM
tried a new bulb for the one that would not work and it did not work.
You should have replaced all the bulbs with new. Only way to be sure both bulbs weren't bad.
Agree LEDs are the way to go. Be sure they are made to work without the ballast. Examples: https://greenlightdepot.com/collecti...=5257025454118
https://greenlightdepot.com/collecti...=5194045915174
#4
03-29-18, 05:16 AM
Group Moderator
I don't bother trying to diagnose fluorescent light problems anymore. I convert them to LED. You simply disconnect the ballast and wire the fixture according to the instructions that come with your LED replacement bulbs.
If trying to get the fixture working you must try two new bulbs. Don't bother trying to replace only one. Also, don't put much trust in non-contact voltage testers. They are not the most reliable. Also, since you have changed the ballast twice I would double check your wiring to make sure it is correct.
If trying to get the fixture working you must try two new bulbs. Don't bother trying to replace only one. Also, don't put much trust in non-contact voltage testers. They are not the most reliable. Also, since you have changed the ballast twice I would double check your wiring to make sure it is correct.
#5
03-30-18, 06:32 AM
Thanks for the responses. I did try 2 brand new bulbs. and as far as the wiring its pretty hard to screw up yellow to yellow, blue to blue and red to red. I will look but I don't think that's the problem. Any thoughts on not reading power at one end of the fixture?
#6
03-30-18, 07:26 AM
Group Moderator
Do not trust a non-contact voltage tester. Get a multi meter and check again. Old fashioned analog ones with a needle that moves will work. After that if you are not getting power at one end of the fixture either a wire is broken, there is a bad connection or something is wrong with the socket/tombstone at the end of the fixture.
