replaced tube, replaced starter, replaced starter with one that works in
another fitting (can't borrow tube as it is at a customers office and they
do not know that I swapped the starter)

The fluorescent tube tries to light but does not power up completely.

The tube is 125w and the starter matches but the fitting states 'use 100w
tubes only' is that my problem?

david

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 15:25:53 -0000, "David Kent"
wrote:

replaced tube, replaced starter, replaced starter with one that works in
another fitting (can't borrow tube as it is at a customers office and they
do not know that I swapped the starter)

The fluorescent tube tries to light but does not power up completely.

The tube is 125w and the starter matches but the fitting states 'use 100w
tubes only' is that my problem?

david


Is the location cold?

On a large tube especially, especially this weather in an unheated
place, it may be difficult to get it to go.

I had one like that and ultimately the solution was to fit an
electronic ballast.



..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 15:25:53 -0000, "David Kent"
wrote:

replaced tube, replaced starter, replaced starter with one that works in
another fitting (can't borrow tube as it is at a customers office and they
do not know that I swapped the starter)

The fluorescent tube tries to light but does not power up completely.

The tube is 125w and the starter matches but the fitting states 'use 100w
tubes only' is that my problem?


It might be!

Is the metal of the fitting earthed?

You could try taping a length of copper wire along the length of the
lamp (where it won't be seen) and earthing it.

DG

In article ,
"David Kent" writes:
replaced tube, replaced starter, replaced starter with one that works in
another fitting (can't borrow tube as it is at a customers office and they
do not know that I swapped the starter)

The fluorescent tube tries to light but does not power up completely.

The tube is 125w and the starter matches but the fitting states 'use 100w
tubes only' is that my problem?

Probably. 125W tubes run at a higher voltage, and for first few
minutes until warmed up, even higher than the running voltage.
The ballast for a 100W tube will not be able to supply the normal
running tube current at the higher tube voltage, and this could
well cause the arc to be unstable.

You can however use a 100W tube on a 125W switchstart ballast.
They were designed specifically with that intention. The 100W
tube exhibits significantly different cold starting electrical
characteristics than the 125W tube.

--
Andrew Gabriel

David Kent wrote:
replaced tube, replaced starter, replaced starter with one that works
in another fitting (can't borrow tube as it is at a customers office
and they do not know that I swapped the starter)

The fluorescent tube tries to light but does not power up completely.

The tube is 125w and the starter matches but the fitting states 'use
100w tubes only' is that my problem?

david

If you replaced the starter twice and that didn't do it, then that leaves
the tube and the choke.
Tube is easier to try first.... fixed my garage light.
if choke has gone its probably cheaper to buy a new fitting.

David Kent wrote in message
...
replaced tube, replaced starter, replaced starter with one that works in
another fitting (can't borrow tube as it is at a customers office and they
do not know that I swapped the starter)

The fluorescent tube tries to light but does not power up completely.

The tube is 125w and the starter matches but the fitting states 'use 100w
tubes only' is that my problem?

david

Fitted a 100 watt tube today and it worked first time

thanks for all advice

david