Don Klipstein wrote:
In article , Tony wrote:
Peter wrote:
On 4/24/2010 3:18 PM, Tony wrote:

SNIP to here to edit for space

Yes, an FS-2 should work fine.
Follow up:

It didn't work. I cannibalized an unused FS-2 starter I found in my
"junk box" and wired in it's glow bulb in place of the defective glow
bulb I clipped out. To my surprise and disappointment, when I replaced
the CFL bulb, plugged in the fixture and turned it on, the fixture and
the glow bulb both continuously flickered. I waited about 5-10 seconds
to see if it would stabilze; it didn't. I turned off the fixture,
waited about 10 seconds, tried again with the same result. I then added
the capacitor from the FS-2 in parallel with the glow bulb (as it was
wired within the FS-2). Same behavior.

Should I assume that the glow bulb from the FS-2 is mismatched to this
circuit (although the CLF is 18W and the FS-2 is rated for 14, 15, and
20W bulbs), or that something else is wrong in the circuit? Should I
buy a starter with a higher rating and try again with that?
I don't recall ever seeing a starter for 14 to 20 watt bulbs besides the
FS-2. I do recall though seeing many FS-2's that didn't list 18 watts.
I have no idea why they are like that, but the -2 is the proper
starter. Are you really sure the starter from the "junk box" isn't
junk? I'd also try the other bulb again with that starter.

As far as a different wattage starter, sometimes when a bulb is going
bad, but still works sometimes, the wrong type starter will sometimes
work for a while. It's not a fix, it's a patch, and not even a good one.

Lets back up. How are you with electrical circuits... meaning would you
remove the starter again and short the two ends from the lamp together
to see if it lights? (plugged in and turned on) Shorting it only for a
second or less, the ends of the bulb glow, opening the short and the
bulb should fully light and stay lit.

One thing to keep in mind: Bad / innefective starters are hard on
bulbs, and bad bulbs are hard on starters.

- Don Klipstein )

Yep. That's why I always replace the starter when installing a new
bulb. Not worth the chance of wasting a new bulb at $5 to $15 when I
starter only costs 50 cents.