Fluorescent Tube

[Paul-man]

We have a flo tube in our fitted wardrobe with a door switch. A few weeks ago it stopped working, so I changed the tube. Last night it seems to have gone again. The ends glow a dark orange, but it wont "fire up".

Should I buy another tube or does it sound like the fitting is knackered?

All I know is that it is an 18W bulb, about 16" in length I think. - replacement bulb was from Wickes.

 

[bathjobby]

Sounds like the starter has gone, try a new one.

 

[Paul-man]

Sounds like the starter has gone, try a new one.

Assume the starter is built in within the bulb then?

 

[MalcofArabia]

Sounds like the starter has gone, try a new one.

Assume the starter is built in within the bulb then?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/4-80W-UNIVERSAL-FLUORESCENT-STARTERS-PACK/dp/B002PHTYNK

What is known in the trade as a universal starter. Have a look around your fitting they are normally on the side somewhere near the endcaps, but can be under the tube.

 

[mfarrow]

If it still fails, or if you fail to find a starter, then it'll probably be the ballast (having eliminated everything else ). Although you can get them, it may be more economical to just replace the whole fitting.

 

[Steve]

Swap it for an electronic version, it will start straight away every time then.

 

[Taylortwocities]

A lot of the small door switches are not suitable for fluorescent loads.

See notes on most of the switches at TLC. For example http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FM140WB.html

They can fail after a time due to higher start-up currents. Might be worth checking it not the switch arcing.

 

[Lectrician]

Glowing ends is 100% indicitive of a failed starter and nothing else!

Smaller flou fittings often have the started internal to the fitting - remove the cover to locate.

It is common practice to replace both the tube and starter at the same time.

 

[Paul-man]

http://www.alertelectrical.com/prod/3/eterna-18w-2ft-fluorescent-with-diffuser

This is the unit I have- I have no starter in my lamp.

So perhaps it is the electronic ballast?

 

[Paul-man]

A lot of the small door switches are not suitable for fluorescent loads.

See notes on most of the switches at TLC. For example http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FM140WB.html

They can fail after a time due to higher start-up currents. Might be worth checking it not the switch arcing.

The switch is a Leyton Lighting LL6. I can't find it online. I wonder if it is the cause though.

 

[plugwash]

This is the unit I have- I have no starter in my lamp.

Please remove covers from the lamp to the point where you can see all the wiring and take pictures of it. Any flouresecent fitting with either have a magnetic ballest and starter (which may be hidden) or a high frequency ballast.

 

[333rocky333]

The fitting he shows has no covers, the electronics are a long printed circuit that pulls out from one end, they have no starter and uneconomical to attempt to repair.
I have found with them that the lamp rarely fails and it is usually the fitting.

 

[ajrobb]

This is the unit I have- I have no starter in my lamp.

Please remove covers from the lamp to the point where you can see all the wiring and take pictures of it. Any flouresecent fitting with either have a magnetic ballest and starter (which may be hidden) or a high frequency ballast.

The unit he pointed to has electronic ballast and the page says "no need for starter". At just £8, it sounds like a total replacement.