Dual fluorescent fitting - help please
 

HI All

Another weird thing.... g
I 'won' a couple of double fluorescent fittings - probably 2ft tubes -
a pair of them.

They seem to share a common ballast - but each tube has its own
separate starter.

When switched on, only one tube strikes.
With the other one I can see the heaters on - but it won't strike.
If, after the first tube has struck I remove the starter from the
'dead' tube, it will then light - but won't light from cold.

Swapping the starters makes the fault move from tube to tube.
Swapping a starter from a working 4ft single unit into the fault
starter position doesn't improve the situation.
The 'faulty' starter works fine on the 4ft single unit.

I'm confused !

Are there different types of starters - or is there likely to be a
fault on the twin ballast ?

Any suggestions (apart from 'go buy a new unit !)

Thanks
Adrian - Suffolk UK
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Dual fluorescent fitting - help please
 

You are using 2 x 2' series starters , aren't you??


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Dual fluorescent fitting - help please
 

On Thu, 19 Jan 2006 20:50:10 +0000,it is alleged that Adrian Brentnall
adrian-the papers and the spake thusly in
uk.d-i-y:

HI All

Another weird thing.... g
I 'won' a couple of double fluorescent fittings - probably 2ft tubes -
a pair of them.

They seem to share a common ballast - but each tube has its own
separate starter.

Sounds odd to me but might be normal, smaller fixtures tend to be very
'individual'.


When switched on, only one tube strikes.
With the other one I can see the heaters on - but it won't strike.
If, after the first tube has struck I remove the starter from the
'dead' tube, it will then light - but won't light from cold.

Swapping the starters makes the fault move from tube to tube.
Swapping a starter from a working 4ft single unit into the fault
starter position doesn't improve the situation.
The 'faulty' starter works fine on the 4ft single unit.

I'm confused !

Are there different types of starters - or is there likely to be a
fault on the twin ballast ?

There are different types of starters yes, but if it's within the
wattage rating, it should be ok.


Any suggestions (apart from 'go buy a new unit !)

Check the earthing. (Shouldn't be critical to the operation on a
switchstart fitting but you never know).

Kick it? (J/K)

Thanks
Adrian - Suffolk UK
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Dual fluorescent fitting - help please
 

In article , Adrian
Brentnall adrian-the papers and the says...
HI All

Another weird thing.... g
I 'won' a couple of double fluorescent fittings - probably 2ft tubes -
a pair of them.

They seem to share a common ballast - but each tube has its own
separate starter.

When switched on, only one tube strikes.
With the other one I can see the heaters on - but it won't strike.
If, after the first tube has struck I remove the starter from the
'dead' tube, it will then light - but won't light from cold.

Swapping the starters makes the fault move from tube to tube.
Swapping a starter from a working 4ft single unit into the fault
starter position doesn't improve the situation.
The 'faulty' starter works fine on the 4ft single unit.

I'm confused !

Are there different types of starters - or is there likely to be a
fault on the twin ballast ?

Any suggestions (apart from 'go buy a new unit !)

Thanks
Adrian - Suffolk UK
======return email munged=================
take out the papers and the trash to reply


There are different ratings of starters - the one from the 4' single
might not be rated for a 2'. It is possible to buy ones which are rated
from 4-20W, then 58-80W on the same starter - skipping the 36W for a 4'
tube.

Check the rating on the tube, and compare it with what is written
(hopefully) on the bodies of the starters. They're only a pound or so
from a wholesaler - worth a try before skipping the unit.

Dual fluorescent fitting - help please
 

Adrian Brentnall wrote:
HI All

Another weird thing.... g
I 'won' a couple of double fluorescent fittings - probably 2ft tubes -
a pair of them.

They seem to share a common ballast - but each tube has its own
separate starter.

When switched on, only one tube strikes.
With the other one I can see the heaters on - but it won't strike.
If, after the first tube has struck I remove the starter from the
'dead' tube, it will then light - but won't light from cold.

Swapping the starters makes the fault move from tube to tube.
Swapping a starter from a working 4ft single unit into the fault
starter position doesn't improve the situation.
The 'faulty' starter works fine on the 4ft single unit.

I'm confused !

Are there different types of starters - or is there likely to be a
fault on the twin ballast ?

Any suggestions (apart from 'go buy a new unit !)

Thanks
Adrian - Suffolk UK
======return email munged=================
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you've got the wrong type of starter in it. 50p and you're done.


NT

Dual fluorescent fitting - help please
 

Hi All

Thanks for the reponses

I'd (wrongly) assumed that a starter is a starter is a starter.....

I'll take the one that works and see my friendly local electrical
supplier - don't know if they'll sell me just the one, though.....

The light is installed in the garage so that SWMBO can get to the
tumble-dryer without falling over all of my 'projects'...... "Yes -
very nice dear - but can't you get _both_ tubes to light up"...... g

Thanks again !
Adrian
======return email munged=================
take out the papers and the trash to reply

Dual fluorescent fitting - help please
 

In article ,
Adrian Brentnall adrian-the papers and the writes:
HI All

Another weird thing.... g
I 'won' a couple of double fluorescent fittings - probably 2ft tubes -
a pair of them.

They seem to share a common ballast - but each tube has its own
separate starter.

When switched on, only one tube strikes.
With the other one I can see the heaters on - but it won't strike.
If, after the first tube has struck I remove the starter from the
'dead' tube, it will then light - but won't light from cold.

Classic - starter is dead (welded contacts).

Swapping the starters makes the fault move from tube to tube.
Swapping a starter from a working 4ft single unit into the fault
starter position doesn't improve the situation.
The 'faulty' starter works fine on the 4ft single unit.

Doesn't make sense, unless in moving it around you managed to
unweld the contacts.

I'm confused !

Are there different types of starters - or is there likely to be a
fault on the twin ballast ?

Twin series tube circuit uses different starters than single tubes
(actually it uses same starter as used for 120V mains circuits).
The rating is written on the can.

--
Andrew Gabriel