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#1
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problem with ballast in fluorescent light fixture
Hi,
I have a fluorescent Sunshine Garden with 4 - 48" tubes that I bought from Charley's Greenhouse. It's about 2 years old. Tubes #3 and #4 are very dim. The problem is not the bulbs: I replaced the bulbs with new tubes, and they're still dim. I switched tubes #1 and #2 with tubes #3 and #4, and in positions #3 and #4, they are still dim. I'm assuming that the problem is the ballast. I've never replaced a ballast. Is this an easy thing to do? Are all ballasts the same? Would I be better off just buying a whole new unit (cost $249 new)? Charley's does not sell replacement ballasts for this unit, and I'm not finding anything for this particular unit on the Web. Thanks for any help. |
#2
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You would definitely be better off buying a new ballast, as they shouldn't
cost more than about $50, and that's getting an electronic one that's more efficient than the older electromagnetic types. The wiring diagram is usually printed right on the ballast, and if you lay out the new one before disconnecting the old one, you can get the layout fixed ahead of time. The particular ballast will depend upon the bulbs used in the fixture (check the label near one end) and the bulb output. W.W. Grainger, for example lists three GE Ultramax ballasts that for three- or four bulb fixtures, using F32T8, F17T8, F25T8, or F28T8 bulbs (low, medium, and high light output) for $30, $30, and $35. I'm sure that if you took the fixture to a local electrical supply shop, they could help you out. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info! "OrchidKitty" wrote in message ups.com... Hi, I have a fluorescent Sunshine Garden with 4 - 48" tubes that I bought from Charley's Greenhouse. It's about 2 years old. Tubes #3 and #4 are very dim. The problem is not the bulbs: I replaced the bulbs with new tubes, and they're still dim. I switched tubes #1 and #2 with tubes #3 and #4, and in positions #3 and #4, they are still dim. I'm assuming that the problem is the ballast. I've never replaced a ballast. Is this an easy thing to do? Are all ballasts the same? Would I be better off just buying a whole new unit (cost $249 new)? Charley's does not sell replacement ballasts for this unit, and I'm not finding anything for this particular unit on the Web. Thanks for any help. |
#3
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Ray gave you good advice. Here are several additional thoughts.
1) The illustration of your fixture on Charley's website shows the ballasts mounted on one side of the fixture instead of in the center, so be sure to select a similar replacement ballast to maintain the weight balance so your fixture will hang level (magnetic ballasts are *much* heavier than electronic ones). 2) There are 2 common types of 48" fluorescent tube (older standard 1.5" diameter = T12 and newer standard 1" diameter = T8). Make sure your replacement ballast matches the type of your tubes. Some ballasts are "universal" and will work with either diameter. 3) Hardware stores and home centers often stock replacement ballasts. John |
#4
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Thanks Ray and Joh! I'll see what I can do.
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#5
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OrchidKitty wrote:
Hi, I have a fluorescent Sunshine Garden with 4 - 48" tubes that I bought from Charley's Greenhouse. It's about 2 years old. Tubes #3 and #4 are very dim. The problem is not the bulbs: I replaced the bulbs with new tubes, and they're still dim. I switched tubes #1 and #2 with tubes #3 and #4, and in positions #3 and #4, they are still dim. I'm assuming that the problem is the ballast. I've never replaced a ballast. Is this an easy thing to do? Are all ballasts the same? Would I be better off just buying a whole new unit (cost $249 new)? Charley's does not sell replacement ballasts for this unit, and I'm not finding anything for this particular unit on the Web. Thanks for any help. I have replaced many ballasts over the years. All you really need to do is match up the color of the wires and attach them together. Write down the number on the end of the tubes you use and make sure the ballast is labeled to run 2 of those. The last couple of times I bought ballasts, I picked up a couple of them when I was at a Lowes store (75 miles away so I don't get there very often). They cost about $14 each there. I can actually buy them down the street from here but that electric store sells them for nearly twice as much. Steve |
#6
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IT WORKED! I took the fixure apart, got the ballast specs from the
manufacturer's Web site, and then comparison shopped. I bought two replacement ballasts at a local electrical supply, thinking that if one ballast died, the other probably would too. The cost for the pair was only $29 (versus $22 each on the manufacturer's Web site). I laid out the wires as suggested, stripped the ends, then twisted, capped, and secured them with electrician's tape. I reassembled the fixture, and everything works fine. Thanks everyone for your advice! |
#7
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Good for you!
(Uh oh, we've created a monster...) -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info! "OrchidKitty" wrote in message oups.com... IT WORKED! I took the fixure apart, got the ballast specs from the manufacturer's Web site, and then comparison shopped. I bought two replacement ballasts at a local electrical supply, thinking that if one ballast died, the other probably would too. The cost for the pair was only $29 (versus $22 each on the manufacturer's Web site). I laid out the wires as suggested, stripped the ends, then twisted, capped, and secured them with electrician's tape. I reassembled the fixture, and everything works fine. Thanks everyone for your advice! |
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