I have a couple of 5ft HF fluorescent lamps which frequently fail to
start when I switch them on. At first I thought I had a faulty switch
which wasn't turning on but after a while I decided that it was switch
bounce causing the problem.

If I push the switches carefully, or at least in a way that I guess
will stop them bouncing, the lights come on OK. However I'm not a
perfect switch de-bouncer and neither are other users. Once not
started the lights don't re-try, they simply stay off until I switch
off for a few seconds and then re-try.

A change of switch has improved things a little but it's still far
from perfect.

Can anyone advise a way around this problem, probably the best answer
is a non-bouncing switch as I don't particularly want to replace the
lights.

--
Chris Green

wrote:
I have a couple of 5ft HF fluorescent lamps which frequently fail to
start when I switch them on. At first I thought I had a faulty switch
which wasn't turning on but after a while I decided that it was switch
bounce causing the problem.

If I push the switches carefully, or at least in a way that I guess
will stop them bouncing, the lights come on OK. However I'm not a
perfect switch de-bouncer and neither are other users. Once not
started the lights don't re-try, they simply stay off until I switch
off for a few seconds and then re-try.

A change of switch has improved things a little but it's still far
from perfect.

Can anyone advise a way around this problem, probably the best answer
is a non-bouncing switch as I don't particularly want to replace the
lights.

Any scope for hiding away a relay in the circuit that might have decent
contacts compared to the switch?

Bob

wrote:
I have a couple of 5ft HF fluorescent lamps which frequently fail to
start when I switch them on. At first I thought I had a faulty switch
which wasn't turning on but after a while I decided that it was switch
bounce causing the problem.

If I push the switches carefully, or at least in a way that I guess
will stop them bouncing, the lights come on OK. However I'm not a
perfect switch de-bouncer and neither are other users. Once not
started the lights don't re-try, they simply stay off until I switch
off for a few seconds and then re-try.

A change of switch has improved things a little but it's still far
from perfect.

Can anyone advise a way around this problem, probably the best answer
is a non-bouncing switch as I don't particularly want to replace the
lights.

My experience has been that intermittent working can be the first sign
of a failing switch... If careful operation can get it to work, that's a
second sign.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

wrote in message ...
I have a couple of 5ft HF fluorescent lamps which frequently fail to
start when I switch them on. At first I thought I had a faulty switch
which wasn't turning on but after a while I decided that it was switch
bounce causing the problem.

If I push the switches carefully, or at least in a way that I guess
will stop them bouncing, the lights come on OK. However I'm not a
perfect switch de-bouncer and neither are other users. Once not
started the lights don't re-try, they simply stay off until I switch
off for a few seconds and then re-try.

A change of switch has improved things a little but it's still far
from perfect.

Can anyone advise a way around this problem, probably the best answer
is a non-bouncing switch as I don't particularly want to replace the
lights.


I would say a dodgy switch, or light fittings that aren't fit for purpose.

Did you mean switch(es)?

John Williamson wrote:
wrote:
I have a couple of 5ft HF fluorescent lamps which frequently fail to
start when I switch them on. At first I thought I had a faulty switch
which wasn't turning on but after a while I decided that it was switch
bounce causing the problem.

If I push the switches carefully, or at least in a way that I guess
will stop them bouncing, the lights come on OK. However I'm not a
perfect switch de-bouncer and neither are other users. Once not
started the lights don't re-try, they simply stay off until I switch
off for a few seconds and then re-try.

A change of switch has improved things a little but it's still far
from perfect.

Can anyone advise a way around this problem, probably the best answer
is a non-bouncing switch as I don't particularly want to replace the
lights.

My experience has been that intermittent working can be the first sign
of a failing switch... If careful operation can get it to work, that's a
second sign.

As I pointed out "A change of switch has improved things a little",
it's now a brand new switch. The 'old' switch is fine when used to
switch other lights, I've tried it.

--
Chris Green

On Jan 12, 5:40*pm, wrote:
John Williamson wrote:
wrote:
I have a couple of 5ft HF fluorescent lamps which frequently fail to
start when I switch them on. *At first I thought I had a faulty switch
which wasn't turning on but after a while I decided that it was switch
bounce causing the problem.

If I push the switches carefully, or at least in a way that I guess
will stop them bouncing, the lights come on OK. *However I'm not a
perfect switch de-bouncer and neither are other users. *Once not
started the lights don't re-try, they simply stay off until I switch
off for a few seconds and then re-try.

A change of switch has improved things a little but it's still far
from perfect.

Can anyone advise a way around this problem, probably the best answer
is a non-bouncing switch as I don't particularly want to replace the
lights.

My experience has been that intermittent working can be the first sign
of a failing switch... If careful operation can get it to work, that's a
second sign.

As I pointed out "A change of switch has improved things a little",
it's now a brand new switch. *The 'old' switch is fine when used to
switch other lights, I've tried it.

The problem is with the ballast, no point blaming a perfectly
functional switch. Solution involves either replacing the ballasts or
showing us the circuit diagram of them, and perhaps someone will have
an idea how to improve it.


NT