I have a very old overhead bathroom light fixture that includes two
2-pin fluorescent bulbs (or do you call them tubes?).

When one bulb burned out, I tried to pull it out of its base socket. But
that base was so old that it literally cracked off the light fixture.
Now it's broken and can't be reattached to the light fixture.

How do you replace one of those? Do I have to replace the ballast as
well? (The other 2-pin bulb is working fine, so I know the ballast is OK.)



--
Steven L.

2 pins at each end of the tube, for a total of four pins per bulb, or only 2 pins at one end of the bulb and nothing at the other end???? A photo would sure make it easier to understand,

On 10/12/2017 8:29 PM, Steven L. wrote:
I have a very old overhead bathroom light fixture that includes two
2-pin fluorescent bulbs (or do you call them tubes?).

When one bulb burned out, I tried to pull it out of its base socket. But
that base was so old that it literally cracked off the light fixture.
Now it's broken and can't be reattached to the light fixture.

How do you replace one of those? Do I have to replace the ballast as
well? (The other 2-pin bulb is working fine, so I know the ballast is OK.)




If this is a typical fixture, it is what is referred to as a "tombstone"
that holds the tube at each end. They can be replaced and no, you do
not have to change the ballast

You can get them at an electric suply store
https://www.mcmaster.com/#tombstone-sockets/=19sc7c9

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 8:29:07 PM UTC-4, Steven L. wrote:
I have a very old overhead bathroom light fixture that includes two
2-pin fluorescent bulbs (or do you call them tubes?).

When one bulb burned out, I tried to pull it out of its base socket. But
that base was so old that it literally cracked off the light fixture.
Now it's broken and can't be reattached to the light fixture.

How do you replace one of those? Do I have to replace the ballast as
well? (The other 2-pin bulb is working fine, so I know the ballast is OK.)



--
Steven L.

The answer for me would be to get a new LED fixture. Much better quality
of light.

On Thu, 12 Oct 2017 20:29:03 -0400, "Steven L."
wrote:

I have a very old overhead bathroom light fixture that includes two
2-pin fluorescent bulbs (or do you call them tubes?).

When one bulb burned out, I tried to pull it out of its base socket. But
that base was so old that it literally cracked off the light fixture.
Now it's broken and can't be reattached to the light fixture.

How do you replace one of those? Do I have to replace the ballast as
well? (The other 2-pin bulb is working fine, so I know the ballast is OK.)
Keystones are available at the home store and it is just a 2 wire
hookup. You might want to pick up some small orange wirenuts too. Pop
the center cover off, it may be 2 screws or just clipped in there.
(Squeeze the base on both sides) Take out the old keystone (they
usually fall out) put in the new one and hook it up like the old one.

If you have tender hands, wear gloves. The metal is usually sharp.

On Thu, 12 Oct 2017 18:22:32 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote:

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 8:29:07 PM UTC-4, Steven L. wrote:
I have a very old overhead bathroom light fixture that includes two
2-pin fluorescent bulbs (or do you call them tubes?).

When one bulb burned out, I tried to pull it out of its base socket. But
that base was so old that it literally cracked off the light fixture.
Now it's broken and can't be reattached to the light fixture.

How do you replace one of those? Do I have to replace the ballast as
well? (The other 2-pin bulb is working fine, so I know the ballast is OK.)



--
Steven L.

The answer for me would be to get a new LED fixture. Much better quality
of light.

That is what I do in my shop and I won't even replace bulbs these days
but in the kitchen I still like a natural light fluorescent.

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 9:28:03 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thu, 12 Oct 2017 20:29:03 -0400, "Steven L."
wrote:


Keystones are available at the home store and it is just a 2 wire
hookup. You might want to pick up some small orange wirenuts too. Pop
the center cover off, it may be 2 screws or just clipped in there.
(Squeeze the base on both sides) Take out the old keystone (they
usually fall out) put in the new one and hook it up like the old one.

If you have tender hands, wear gloves. The metal is usually sharp.

I should have mentioned: It's a GX-23 bulb and GX-23 socket.

Here's the replacement I'm ordering, so you can see the kind of socket I'm talking about:

http://tinyurl.com/yc3d776v

or from another vendor

http://tinyurl.com/y8pfd5pk

My MAIN question is: How do you disconnect the wires from the old GX-23 socket? Is there like a clip or spring or something that lets you remove the wires from it?

Please tell me I don't have to cut the wires!



-- Steven L.

On Fri, 13 Oct 2017 06:30:07 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 9:28:03 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thu, 12 Oct 2017 20:29:03 -0400, "Steven L."
wrote:


Keystones are available at the home store and it is just a 2 wire
hookup. You might want to pick up some small orange wirenuts too. Pop
the center cover off, it may be 2 screws or just clipped in there.
(Squeeze the base on both sides) Take out the old keystone (they
usually fall out) put in the new one and hook it up like the old one.

If you have tender hands, wear gloves. The metal is usually sharp.

I should have mentioned: It's a GX-23 bulb and GX-23 socket.

Here's the replacement I'm ordering, so you can see the kind of socket I'm talking about:

http://tinyurl.com/yc3d776v

or from another vendor

http://tinyurl.com/y8pfd5pk

My MAIN question is: How do you disconnect the wires from the old GX-23 socket? Is there like a clip or spring or something that lets you remove the wires from it?

Please tell me I don't have to cut the wires!



-- Steven L.


They were usually permanently attached to the ballast if nobody
replaced them before. Just cut and strip the existing wires and use
those orange wire nuts I suggested you get. Be generous with the wire
you save. Better too long than too short. Stuff it all back up in the
can and be careful you don't pinch it when you put the cover back on.