Alex wrote:

When I switch on the tube glows orange at each end for about a full
second and then the whole tube lights up.

Is this as good as the "few flashes" you write?

My fluorescent fitting has a 65W choke. (This is a ballast, it it?).

yes

The lettering on the choke is truly ancient looking and I think it says
Thorn in the letters around a logo. The whole thing is about 5 inches
long. Hope fully this is ok.

sounds like an old thermal starter unit. They have much nicer starting
characteristics than modern glowstarts.


NT