Flor. light

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ceb

ceb

Senior Member
Location
raeford,nc
I need help! I have installed 8 two tube 8 ft. fixtures all new. I have one that is giving me a fit and I need any ideas that will help. This one fixture worked fine for a few days then after it was on for 30 min. or so it would go out stay off for a while then come back on. ok bad ballast removed ballast took it back to supplier, new ballast same brand,numbers every thing,installed light came on stayed on, few days later light off, removed tubes and could hear filament sliding around in tube,replaced tubes turned on switch,POW,tube blows, replace ballast :confused: ,check volts 121.7 check all connections,re twist put wire nuts back on,install new tubes, light on for about 30 min. then off and ballast humming so loud it could be heard from 40 ft. away, check all connections again light will not come on.what is going on? any ideas?
 
Re: Flor. light

Check the socket wiring as printed on the ballast. When you put them together out of the box there is nothing to stop you from switching the sockets on one end around. Been there myself and your problem sounds like exactly what will happen if you leave it that way for a while.

Most people just assume you just snap the sockets in, not so.

-Hal
 
Re: Flor. light

Hal is right. Sockets must be installed so that wiring conforms to diagram on ballast. I too have made the same mistake.
 
Re: Flor. light

I have never seen switching ends around cause a problem.I have seen however a bunch of lights come with the wiring done incorrectly from the manufacturer.Took a lot of trobleshooting and headscratching(new ballast..new bulbs..checking connections at ends etc.) before I realized it must have been put together an a Friday afternoon at the production line and the final inspection guy was home early! ;) There was a batch like these at our supplier which caused other electricians grief also.
But again Ive never found that switching 2 end sockets around makes any difference(the two at the same end of the fixture)
Please let us know
Ross
 
Re: Flor. light

I have traced the problem down. they were made on Monday. These are hi-output lights blue wire, red wire on tombstones on one end yellow on other end jumped with blue to other tombstone. Blue and yellow in line with each other. When they assembled the fixture some one put one yellow wire in with the two blue jumpers. If I could only have five minuets alone with that person!
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
Re: Flor. light

I have never seen switching ends around cause a problem...

You only have that problem with 8 foot 2 (single pin) tube fixtures. With others no, it won't make a difference. Always a good idea to check how they are wired. ;) You can see if switching the sockets will make a difference too.

-Hal
 
Re: Flor. light

Ballast have a heat dissipation requirement: they need to be in contact with a good heat conducting surface (metallic surfaces are adequate, wood not appropriate.). Give that a check and let us know.
 
Re: Flor. light

Have had nightmares with 8 footers if the ballast mount screws are not totally tight you will get the wildest noises in the world . do lights in a viagra repackageing warehouse strips of 8 footers bolted together for many years supported up to original 20 high ceiling by chains ( fixture chain) leave the ballast slightly loose and they hum like all get out. The owner called and swore we put a hex on his business went back boss warned me about customer being into ghosts etc checked ballasts 1 screw loose. Got down wenr to panel checked wires tight at cb and blamed it on loose wires in panel customer happy and have had many service calls to his friends good pr thanks bob. :cool: :cool:
 
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