Flourescent help

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Cavie

Cavie

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
I started in the business in 1970 so I've seen alot. This one in my own home has me stumped.

House is 20 years old. I moved in in 2003. 8- 3' flourescent fixtures in the kitchen dome ceiling. I replaced 2 non-working ballast in 2003 along with all blubs. Replaced about 3 bulbs since 2003. About 1 month ago started having problems with misc fixtures not starting. Replaced 8 bulbs. No Change. Bit the bullit and replaced 6- 20 year old ballast and 2- 3/w switches. No Change. Sometimes 2 lights, sometimes 4 lights. Sometimes NO lights, This is the one that really gets me. All fixtures are grounded. Sockets seem to have proper tention. Panel connections all tight. I have had flourescents in all my houses in domes of above cabinents. The wife insisted I come here for some answers since I can't fix the problem. I'm glad I wasn't called by a customer to fix this problem. Anyone have any simular problems?
 
Tumb stones are bad, its a 16 guage wire or less it's just tired ... best guess is that it's moving around...
 
I'm putting money on the stab connections at the tombstones too. Wrangle the connection at the tombstone around to freshen it up.
 
Cavie said:
House is 20 years old. I moved in in 2003. 8- 3' flourescent fixtures in the kitchen dome ceiling.
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Demo that garbage out and put in remodel recessed. Your wife will be thrilled.
 
chris kennedy said:
Demo that garbage out and put in remodel recessed. Your wife will be thrilled.
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Can't go there.. Wife would never let me stop at lights. Counter tops, cabs, appliances.....Please !!!!!!
 
I once received interesting advice from a fixture manufacturer: certain brands of tubes don't play well with certain brands of fixtures (ballasts, I guess.) Try a different brand of tube first.
 
Well, I tore the kit ceiling apart again and did the tombstone shuffle. So far so good. Grabbed the wires and pulled and twisted. Lights come on every time. I wouldn't have thought that would have worked but I let the collective minds of this forum direct me and my wifes orders to do as I was told. One is never to old to learn something new. Thanks guys.
 
Well I'm glad you fixed it my guess was going to be that you needed Lamps not Bulbs.:roll:

1 month ago started having problems with misc fixtures not starting. Replaced 8 bulbs. No Change.
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Jim W in Tampa said:
i would hope that they now are electronic and using t-8
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That's what I should have done!!!! Had it been for someone else, that's what I would have insisted on. Having invested in LAMPS 2 weeks ago, I went with the ballast.
 
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