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Don Klipstein

In article , Way Back Jack wrote:
On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:19:30 +0000 (UTC), (Don
Klipstein) wrote:

In article , Way Back Jack wrote:

Been 20 years since the tubes in the laundry room were replaced, and
these new tubes flicker for about 30 seconds before becoming bright.
Is this just a slow warm-up process due to their supposed
energy-saving features, or did I get a pair of lemons? Thanks.

SNIP my stuff on 1 inch diameter tubes

Are both the new and old tubes 1.5 inch wide 4-footers? If so, are the
new ones energy-saving types said to consume 34 watts instead of 40? If
so, I am not surprised they flickered for a bit. In my experience, 34
watt 4-footers have a higher rate of being cranky than "true 40 watt"
ones, especially in fixtures with "residential grade" ballasts.

It's just the opposite, 40 replacing 34.

New problem: The new tubes are very dim; they do not attain full
brightness. (Same problem with old tubes.)

Old tubes: GE Watt Miser, 4' X 1.5" diameter, F-40CWR-R3-WM, Cool
White, 34 Watt

New tubes: GE Environmentally responsible, 4' X1.5" diameter, For use
in F40 fixtures, F40T12, 40 Watt

My guess now is that the ballast is one of those "residential grade"
ones, which are often somewhat shorter in length than the good ones, and
which are often "stool specimens". Or, slight chance the ballast had a
capacitor in series with its secondary winding short out.

In either case, get a decent ballast from an electrical/lighting supply
shop.

- Don Klipstein )