florescent lights

[Moon]

I have some florescent lights which do not come on right away when turning on the switch. It is a row of 5 of them all on one switch (basement). One might come on but the others glow a little or not at all. After 1/2 hour or so they all come on. Switching the switch on and off quickly can make them come on quicker, but it does not always work.
Any ideas as to what might fix this?
Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

 

[Inspector507]

If they have starters, change them. If no starters, replace the lamps, especially if any of them are dark on the ends.

 

[dbelisle]

As florescent bulbs get older it takes more power to start and maintain then. If you look on a package of florescent bulbs it give the hours of bulb life. You should change then at or before that point. If you don't the added current draw can over work the ballast and destroy it.

An old bulb also can draw up to twice the amount of electric power and that's money out of your pocket for the same amount of light.

Dave in NH

 

[aardvark]

I've been replacing all the incandescent bulbs in my house with flourescents as the incandescents burn out. I've been using GE and Sylvania and Phillips bulbs aound the house for the 60W and 40W and 100W replacements. However, I bought a cheaper China import 200W replacement since I couldn't find a 200W equivalent from one of the reputable companies. All the brand name, more expensive bulbs, fire immediately after the lag time when I throw the light switch. The cheapo bulb only powers about half way on and then takes a while to come to full illumination after the lag time. Don't know if this will help you, other than cheapo bulbs apparently don't perform as well as bulbs from high quality manufacturers.

 

[Moon]

You might be onto something Aardvark. These are cheapo light units (from Lowes); 4ft with two bulbs each. I've had them for awhile, but even new they displayed this symptom.

I bought the bulbs for them and another light fixture in the kitchen which uses 4fter's and the kitchen lights come right on, but these basement ones do not. Don't know if they have starters or not. I'll check that.

Thanks Guys,

Moon of Ohio

 

[Inspector507]

Moon,
If they're the $8-9 specials, you have no starters. Not a real ballast either. Just a transformer on each end. Time to ditch the light. If you spent $9 on it, Lowes only paid about $5. The manufacturer only spent $2 to build it, so ditch it and buy a good one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BTW, I have the same ones in my basement /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[DaveNay]

These cheapo lights are also terrible in cold conditions. Even a cool basement in the fall can make a difference.

Dave

 

[v8dave]

I just got a bunch of florescent lights for my shop.

When shopping I noticed that Lowes and Home Depot had florescents that had electronic ballasts. On the comparison board near the stock shelves, both stores said these electronic florescent lights would start in sub-zero temperatures. I got a bunch and they all start immediately with no flicker. Of course they were twice the price of the other choice. But, I'm happy with them because I had the flicker type in my old shop and it drove me nuts.

If you change the ballasts in the lamps (instead of buying replacement lamps) look for the electronic type of ballast. Convert just one and see if it takes care of the problem before buying all of 'em.

 

[Inspector507]

Dave,
In the cheapies I bought, no room to add an electronic ballast /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[v8dave]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dave,
In the cheapies I bought, no room to add an electronic ballast /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>

Ah well, I guess the choice becomes easier? Replace 'em or keep on flickering. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif