flourescent tubes

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SmithBuilt

Senior Member
Location
Foothills of NC
Is there a way to check the ballast out? Other than installing new bulbs. I normally recommend replacing the ballast and the bulbs. Mainly because a ballast that is going bad can light new bulbs for a while.
 

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
SmithBuilt said:
Mainly because a ballast that is going bad can light new bulbs for a while.
True, but it might cause the ends of the tube "to turn black about two inches in 48 hours." ;)
 

The Iceman

Senior Member
Location
Florida
I just had the same problem with T12 lamps. The ballast instructions required the lamps to burn in for 100 hours. I replaced the lamps in all three fixtures, left them on for 100 hours, and had no problems. It has been two weeks and still no problems.
 

dnem

Senior Member
Location
Ohio
The Iceman said:
I just had the same problem with T12 lamps. The ballast instructions required the lamps to burn in for 100 hours. I replaced the lamps in all three fixtures, left them on for 100 hours, and had no problems. It has been two weeks and still no problems.

I agree with Iceman, I've heard that new fluorescents shouldn't be turned off and on when they're new. . You should turn them on and leave them on overnight [at least] before you turn them off for the first time.

David
 

mivey

Senior Member
I thought the burn-in was for dimming.

We always shook the lamps before installing to reduce "rolling"
 

dick621

Member
Location
Emmett, Idaho
After changeing the blackend tube the 27th, I checked the new one last night and it appears ok. Could still be a ballast going bad, but owner doesn't want to change it.
Has anyone heard anything about doing away with T12 lamps and ballasts completly and going to T8s? I've heard this a couple of times, but don't know if they knew what they were talking about.
Dick
 

dnem

Senior Member
Location
Ohio
dick621 said:
After changeing the blackend tube the 27th, .....

Did you let that one burn for awhile ?

When you first lit the one that eventually got a blacked end, did you burn it nonstop overnight ?
 
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