Fluoresent strip light help

[Tom JE]

Hi chaps,

I've been asked to look at a friends light that wasnt working. When i got there i realised it was a strip light with a fluoresent bulb - i know nothing abou tthose at all. The light is lighting up very dull but not quite "firing" (so to speak) if that makes sense. Any ideas what this could be?

Excuse my lack of knowledge here!!

Cheers

Tom

 

[BigJon]

Try replacing the starter if it has one, it will be a circular plastic thing on the fitting. if that doesnt cure it try replacing the lamp, failing that just buy a new fitting, they're cheap enough nowadays

 

[Tom JE]

Cheers Jon - i'll give that a go!

 

[securespark]

Best to replace both tube & starter together.

 

[Steve]

incidentally, if the tube wont strike, take the starter out live. you might find the tube will then strike.

 

[ricicle]

incidentally, if the tube wont strike, take the starter out live. you might find the tube will then strike.

Which means the starter is faulty, but has already been said if you're getting the steps out then replace both.

 

[plugwash]

what you suggest probablly makes sense if your a tradesman for whom time is money.

but spare tubes are a lot more of a pain to keep arround than spare starters, they are also a pain to buy for anyone relying on public transport. So in that situation it may make more sense to try changing the starter first.

btw an electronic starter can often get out a lot more life from an old tube that would no longer work with a conventional switch start.