Fluorescent starter-switch question
This question also, previously, posted to alt.home.repair
I have an older 18" fluorescent lamp that takes a 15WT8 bulb. As of this morning, it no marcha. I suspect the starter switch, which is your glass-tube type and is pretty black inside. The problem is that I can't find any "15w" starter switches at any location close to me. I can, however, cheaply and easily find a white, cylindrical starter switch that says, "13w, 30w, 40w" on it. Can I use this "13w, 30w, 40w" switch with my 15w lamp? -- Tegger |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
"Tegger" I have an older 18" fluorescent lamp that takes a 15WT8 bulb. As of this morning, it no marcha. I suspect the starter switch, which is your glass-tube type and is pretty black inside. The problem is that I can't find any "15w" starter switches at any location close to me. I can, however, cheaply and easily find a white, cylindrical starter switch that says, "13w, 30w, 40w" on it. Can I use this "13w, 30w, 40w" switch with my 15w lamp? ** Most single tube starters are " Universal " ie 4-65W or 4-80W units. .... Phil |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
"Phil Allison" wrote in news:9mprnlF391U1
@mid.individual.net: "Tegger" I have an older 18" fluorescent lamp that takes a 15WT8 bulb. As of this morning, it no marcha. I suspect the starter switch, which is your glass-tube type and is pretty black inside. The problem is that I can't find any "15w" starter switches at any location close to me. I can, however, cheaply and easily find a white, cylindrical starter switch that says, "13w, 30w, 40w" on it. Can I use this "13w, 30w, 40w" switch with my 15w lamp? ** Most single tube starters are " Universal " ie 4-65W or 4-80W units. Thank you. But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages? -- Tegger |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
"Tegger" "Phil Allison" "Tegger" I have an older 18" fluorescent lamp that takes a 15WT8 bulb. As of this morning, it no marcha. I suspect the starter switch, which is your glass-tube type and is pretty black inside. The problem is that I can't find any "15w" starter switches at any location close to me. I can, however, cheaply and easily find a white, cylindrical starter switch that says, "13w, 30w, 40w" on it. Can I use this "13w, 30w, 40w" switch with my 15w lamp? ** Most single tube starters are " Universal " ie 4-65W or 4-80W units. Thank you. But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages? ** Marketing reasons. .... Phil |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
"Phil Allison" wrote in
: "Tegger" But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages? ** Marketing reasons. So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture? -- Tegger |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
"Tegger" "Phil Allison" "Tegger" But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages? ** Marketing reasons. So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture? ** Been using " 4-80 W " starters on my 15W desk lamp for decades. .... Phil |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
On Jan 7, 6:56*am, Tegger wrote:
"Phil Allison" wrote : "Tegger" But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages? ** Marketing reasons. So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture? -- Tegger See - we treat you just as nice here as on alt home repair. |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
" wrote in
: See - we treat you just as nice here as on alt home repair. Appreciate that. Last time I posted here was many years ago, in relation to a microwave oven. I was roundly scolded by somebody named "Sam Goldwasser", evidently because I had posted an ignorant question. -- Tegger |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
"Phil Allison" wrote in news:9mqvhnFst9U1
@mid.individual.net: "Tegger" "Phil Allison" "Tegger" But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages? ** Marketing reasons. So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture? ** Been using " 4-80 W " starters on my 15W desk lamp for decades. ... Phil An update: It turns out that the failure was almost certainly /not/ due to the starter, so it's a good thing I didn't blow $4 on a new one. I removed the starter from the fixture for testing purposes, leaving bare wire-ends on the bypass circuit. I tried three bulbs, two brand-new. Plus I tested the tubes' filaments for continuity. All tested good, and all worked in another fixture. I also tested for continuity within the fixture where it seemed logical to see it. I assumed I'd find an open through the ballast, which I did find. But I guessed that when the ballast was fed with (a measured) 123VAC, I'd see something similar across the wires where the starter was, but all I found was 2.5VAC. That appears to be not enough to strike a spark, and no spark was had, no matter how slowly I brought the wires together. My guess now is that the ballast is bad. In any case, I went to Walmart and bought a near dead-ringer of my old GE unit for a whopping $13. So this matter is done. Thanks, Phil. -- Tegger |
Fluorescent starter-switch question
On Jan 7, 6:15*pm, Tegger wrote:
"Phil Allison" wrote in news:9mqvhnFst9U1 @mid.individual.net: "Tegger" "Phil Allison" "Tegger" But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages? ** Marketing reasons. So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture? ** Been using " 4-80 W " starters on my 15W desk lamp for decades. ... *Phil An update: It turns out that the failure was almost certainly /not/ due to the starter, so it's a good thing I didn't blow $4 on a new one. I removed the starter from the fixture for testing purposes, leaving bare wire-ends on the bypass circuit. I tried three bulbs, two brand-new. Plus I tested the tubes' filaments for continuity. All tested good, and all worked in another fixture. I also tested for continuity within the fixture where it seemed logical to see it. I assumed I'd find an open through the ballast, which I did find. But I guessed that when the ballast was fed with (a measured) 123VAC, I'd see something similar across the wires where the starter was, but all I found was 2.5VAC. That appears to be not enough to strike a spark, and no spark was had, no matter how slowly I brought the wires together. My guess now is that the ballast is bad. In any case, I went to Walmart and bought a near dead-ringer of my old GE unit for a whopping $13. So this matter is done. Thanks, Phil. -- Tegger Except for the fact that China got another dollar out of the deal and Walmart got twelve. Lenny |
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