Flourescent light problem
 

---MIKE--- wrote:

In my bedroom I have a standard 12" flourescent light. During warm and
mild weather it works normally. During cold weather, when I turn it on,
it glows dimly but won't light until I turn the switch off and on a few
times. When I get up in the morning it lights normally. After that it
acts up all day. ??????


---MIKE---

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire

(44° 15' N - Elevation 1580')



Have you tried a new bulb yet?

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Flourescent light problem
 

In my bedroom I have a standard 12" flourescent light. During warm and
mild weather it works normally. During cold weather, when I turn it on,
it glows dimly but won't light until I turn the switch off and on a few
times. When I get up in the morning it lights normally. After that it
acts up all day. ??????


---MIKE---
In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
(44° 15' N - Elevation 1580')

Flourescent light problem
 

On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:55:32 -0500, ---MIKE--- wrote:

In my bedroom I have a standard 12" flourescent light. During warm and
mild weather it works normally. During cold weather, when I turn it on,
it glows dimly but won't light until I turn the switch off and on a few
times. When I get up in the morning it lights normally. After that it
acts up all day. ??????


---MIKE---
In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
(44° 15' N - Elevation 1580')


I do believe that there are lamps designed for cold weather.

Flourescent light problem
 

It has nothing to do with the lamps....its the ballast that doesn't like
cold. Change to a fixture with electronic ballast and T-8 lamps.


"franz frippl" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:55:32 -0500, ---MIKE--- wrote:

In my bedroom I have a standard 12" flourescent light. During warm and
mild weather it works normally. During cold weather, when I turn it on,
it glows dimly but won't light until I turn the switch off and on a few
times. When I get up in the morning it lights normally. After that it
acts up all day. ??????


---MIKE---
In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
(44° 15' N - Elevation 1580')


I do believe that there are lamps designed for cold weather.

Flourescent light problem
 

On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:35:32 -0400, Jeff Wisnia
wrote:

---MIKE--- wrote:

In my bedroom I have a standard 12" flourescent light. During warm and
mild weather it works normally. During cold weather, when I turn it on,
it glows dimly but won't light until I turn the switch off and on a few
times. When I get up in the morning it lights normally. After that it
acts up all day. ??????


---MIKE---

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire

(44° 15' N - Elevation 1580')



Have you tried a new bulb yet?

Jeff

That's how I fixed one that an electrician couldn't fix, even after
replacing the switch.
--
26 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Never underestimate the power of stupid
people in large groups"

Flourescent light problem
 

curmudgeon wrote:
It has nothing to do with the lamps....its the ballast that doesn't like
cold. Change to a fixture with electronic ballast and T-8 lamps.



Since a traditional magnetic ballast is is just a transformer/inductor,
I'd like to hear why you believe that cold affects their performance.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Flourescent light problem
 

Jeff Wisnia wrote:

Since a traditional magnetic ballast is is just a transformer/inductor,
I'd like to hear why you believe that cold affects their performance.

The tube is cold, resulting in lower vapour pressure, making it harder
to start.

Electronic ballasts can get around this by putting more power into the
tube when it's being started, then easing off once the tube hits normal
operating condition.

As you say, magnetic ballasts are pretty basic, so they can't vary their
output.

Chris

Flourescent light problem
 

"Chris Friesen" wrote in message ...
Jeff Wisnia wrote:

Since a traditional magnetic ballast is is just a transformer/inductor, I'd like to hear why you
believe that cold affects their performance.

The tube is cold, resulting in lower vapour pressure, making it harder to start.

Electronic ballasts can get around this by putting more power into the tube when it's being
started, then easing off once the tube hits normal operating condition.

As you say, magnetic ballasts are pretty basic, so they can't vary their output.

Chris

Actually there are special magnetic ballasts made for low-temperature operation. Google "low
temperature ballast" (with the quotes) and you'll get a ton of information.

Eric Law