"Dave N" wrote in message
.136...
Hi,

I have two 48" fluorescent fixtures in my kitchen, each with four bulbs.
They're old fixtures (maybe 25 years old), and I replaced the ballasts
in both fixtures a couple years ago.

Recently, one of the fixtures stopped working completely. Actually, not
quite completely: one of the four bulbs flickers dimly. I replaced all
four bulbs and there was no change. The new bulb in the same slot still
flickers dimly, and the other three new bulbs are effectively dead.

What could be happening? Bad ballast? Grounding problem? Any guesses,
based on the symptoms?

.................................................. ..................................

Suggestion:
Before anything really drastic, try swapping tubes around. Usually one
ballast supplies two 48" tubes. So if the tubes work in on 'set' of
positions and not when moved over to another 'set' of positions it may be a
bad/dirty contact or a bad ballast.

I have an almost three lifetimes supply of used ballasts (and also used
fixtures fairly easy to fix up at least for workshop/garage use), obtained
free of course, and replace, maybe one ballast every two/three years in
some six fixtures; the most used of which is in our kitchen! Also some 60
used fluorescent tubes; at least 50%+ of them turn out to be 'good' .

A question if I may:
I have one, appears new but may have been faulty? electronic ballast among
the lot.
If I were to use an electronic ballast, reputed to be "much better" either
that one or by buying new ones would I have to buy 'different' type tubes;
or can I just use my stock of conventional 40 or 34 watt ones?

Appreciate advice. TIA