6 foot 4000K Fluoro, 70 watts, approx. 7 years old, domestic kitchen use.

Unit went dead, tried a new starter but rated at 65 watts. Works fine, but are there any long term issues with using an "under-powered" starter?

Are the electronic starters really worth the extra few quid they cost compared to the older versions?

When the tubes fail I intend to replace with LED tubes, are the fluoro tubes themselves likely to last another 7 years?

Thank you for any help / advice,

David.

On Thursday, 11 June 2020 16:32:28 UTC+1, David Paste wrote:

6 foot 4000K Fluoro, 70 watts, approx. 7 years old, domestic kitchen use.

Unit went dead, tried a new starter but rated at 65 watts. Works fine, but are there any long term issues with using an "under-powered" starter?

with 65 versus 70w no. When on they act as neon lamps, and current affects life expectancy, so one wouldn't want to use a 20w starter on 70w.


Are the electronic starters really worth the extra few quid they cost compared to the older versions?

they vary in operation, but typically don't cause flashing & consequently let the tubes last significantly longer.


When the tubes fail I intend to replace with LED tubes, are the fluoro tubes themselves likely to last another 7 years?

Thank you for any help / advice,

David.

who knows. 10 or 20k hours is typical tube life for filament started tubes.


NT

On Thursday, 11 June 2020 17:42:10 UTC+1, wrote:

[snip}

who knows. 10 or 20k hours is typical tube life for filament started tubes.


NT

Thanks very much!

Yes I have had some terrible and some good tubes in my lights. Of course
these days I seldom use lights if I'm here on my own.
I don't know if any of the ridiculously priced tubes on sale nowadays are
as good as the old uns were. Compton and Phillips were good, some of the
weird branded ones were, shall we say of mixed quality. Some of the el
cheapo ones used to never want to start in the cold.
As for starters. I've had both electronic and the bulb starters. The bulb
ones flash and tend to buzz a bit in use, but I've had the electronic ones
simply pop their clogs requiring a whole new block inside the fitting.
Brian

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On Thursday, 11 June 2020 16:32:28 UTC+1, David Paste wrote:

6 foot 4000K Fluoro, 70 watts, approx. 7 years old, domestic kitchen use.

Unit went dead, tried a new starter but rated at 65 watts. Works fine,
but are there any long term issues with using an "under-powered" starter?

with 65 versus 70w no. When on they act as neon lamps, and current affects
life expectancy, so one wouldn't want to use a 20w starter on 70w.


Are the electronic starters really worth the extra few quid they cost
compared to the older versions?

they vary in operation, but typically don't cause flashing & consequently
let the tubes last significantly longer.


When the tubes fail I intend to replace with LED tubes, are the fluoro
tubes themselves likely to last another 7 years?

Thank you for any help / advice,

David.

who knows. 10 or 20k hours is typical tube life for filament started
tubes.


NT

On 11/06/2020 17:42, wrote:


who knows. 10 or 20k hours is typical tube life for filament started tubes.


Although not at the original brightness.


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On 2020-06-11 17:42, wrote:
On Thursday, 11 June 2020 16:32:28 UTC+1, David Paste wrote:

6 foot 4000K Fluoro, 70 watts, approx. 7 years old, domestic kitchen use.

Are the electronic starters really worth the extra few quid they cost compared to the older versions?

Yes, if you can find one. They seem to have become harder to find over
the years, rather than easier.

they vary in operation, but typically don't cause flashing & consequently let the tubes last significantly longer.

I fitted an electronic starter and the tube lasted well over a decade.

OTOH when the tube finally failed I found I could no longer buy a
single T12 tube and had to replace the whole fitting.


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Graham Nye
news(a)thenyes.org.uk