Old ballast

New ballast

I am replacing a ballast, I followed the wiring diagram and the lights came on, but the middle of the bulb is dim and the light itself seems wavy.

I connected the red wire from the ballast to the two yellows on the fixture. Then connected one blue from ballast to two blues on other side of fixture. Connected other blue from ballast to the two reds on fixture.

Again, light comes on but it's dim. Is it a wiring problem or is the new ballast just not suitable?

 

Check that old lamps are compatible with the new ballast. They are normally listed on the ballast. If not, you need to get new lamps. The new ballast is for 2 pin lamps while the old was for 4 pin lamps.

 

In before the rip it out a replce with LED CRAP crowd chimes in!

If the lamp matches the ballast label F32T8 or F17T8 the tube needs time to warm up specifically if a modern low mercury type. It will come to full brightness after awhile what is the new ballast model #?

Some instant start are not full power type AKA "energy saving" ballasts will have a ballast factor lower then 1.0 a 1.0 BF is full power EX: a 32W T8 will be driven at 32W

 

You are just throwing good money after bad, get rid of all that old ancient florescent crap and just put in a simple LED replacement and enjoy more light, no bulb/ballast hassles.

You will not be disappointed!

 

LoL yes you will LED's are JUNK!
Not the ancient fluorescent stuff yes it has been around a long time but they are a proven reliable technology unlike CRAP LED stuff imported from China (Where else?)

 

I would not bother with fluorescents. Replace with LED's. You can use your current fixture and you remove the ballast and direct wire line power (120 VAC) to the bulbs according to the instructions for your bulbs. I've swapped out the ones in my office, factory and warehouse a couple years ago and all the bulbs are still working and it cut my energy consumption considerably.

 

If that second picture is the new ballast..... it will not work there.
That ballast is for single pin tubes.....not two pin tubes.
It's for F48T12 tubes. Your tubes are F40T12.

 

Good for you, I guess!
I would not use anything LED! I'll use my HID (Ceramic Metal Halide, 4000K) and fluorescent as long as I can find cheap parts and lamps for them!


Ah I was wondering why it said "Cutout Lampholder" I forgot that the single pin "Slimline" tubes needed those as it cuts power to the ballast when the lamp is removed.

 

Circuit Breaker, what power are you referencing? The 120 VAC lines, powering the ballast, are not wired to any lamp sockets.

 

That is a later model ballast. The early ones connected the white and black power wires thru the sockets. This killed the ballast when either tube was removed.

 

I would agree that buying cheap, just like anything else, your getting what you paid for. If this is your reason for the negative I would suggest not buying the stuff on eBay but try some good ole made in USA bulbs.

LED's provide an incredible source of light, low power consumption, low heat, the quality of light is amazing.

The future is here!

 

I bought a few of the big three (GE Sylvania & Philips) back when LEDs for general lighting was still a new thing.

I had all but two fail.

I still have one of the original Cree "A" lamps I had two of the same but the lamp it was in got knocked over and the glass (it did still light up but I tossed it) broke I did like the Cree ones as it is real glass.

I never liked the poor CRI and flicker problems that some had.
They are probably better now but the original ones I did not like so I never bought more.

The main issue with me is the needless "upgrading" of working fixtures that are then sold as scrap metal some of the classic fixtures are nice looking the LED streetlight look to me like an illuminate waffle the older ones had class and care in designing them.

If they kept the actual fixture and just put in retrofits this would not make me as upset but most are just replaced and sold as scrap.

This is the one CREE I have left and yes that socket was "borrowed" from a oven that no longer worked (Control board failure and part was "No Longer Available" if it was for me I would have repaired that replay but they wanted a new oven)

 

When my Son was in local robotics they sold these to earn money, this was back in 2014 and I bought around 30 bulbs @ $4 each, which I kind of cringed at.

7 years later about 6-7 have failed and all were replaced free of charge so they are not doing bad.

still use incandescent in closets when I want instant light but only for a few minutes per day. CFL's are still used in the kitchen, basement and outdoors, those things last forever!

 

We are drifting off topic here.

 

Sorry! But this is probably one who posts a question never to return with any sort of reply, I hate the "One Post Wonders"

 

Open discussion, it's all good!