I have a double tube overhead flourescant lamp fitted above my worktop. One of the tubes failed and so obtained a new one but still no luck. swapped the tubes and same fault. The electrics consists of two starters, two power units( the title is the type) and a condenser. So I have swapped tubes and starter units and still no go. I set about tracing the wiring which was a mare as they were twirlled together but traced the unit connected to the tube. I have a new one on order but I am baffled how to remove the wires that go in the ballast. Anybody any idea? There are no screws and I am assuming they are a one of push in connection with no way to get them out or am I missing something? I will set to and take photos later on if it would help. I am hoping someone recognises the ballast and can confirm how to go.
- Thread starter p0689109
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probably the best time to replace it completely with the newer type LED. in my experience the cost of parts, and lamps of the flourescent fittings now, it's often cheaper to just replace the whole fitting.
in our local diy place for example a single 4ft tube is about a tenner, and you can get a whole fitting for about the same price.
in our local diy place for example a single 4ft tube is about a tenner, and you can get a whole fitting for about the same price.
Melvyn Best
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Is it really worth spending time any money on them when L.E.Ds are so cheap and efficient?
you're right of course always better to reuse where possible, but when I can buy a whole new twin 4 footer for a tenner including lamps etc ready to go, for me it's not worth the bother especially if your not sure it's the ballast that's gone.......
To get the wires out, usually there's a wee slot next to them you can push down on them with a thin terminal screw driver to release the wires on the ballast.. obviously with the power off..
To get the wires out, usually there's a wee slot next to them you can push down on them with a thin terminal screw driver to release the wires on the ballast.. obviously with the power off..
redlig
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I had the same problem 3 weeks ago and ,on the recommendation of several forum members, replaced it with an LED . problem is that it has made all the other old tubes look like anorexic glow worms. Aging eyes will really appreciate the "new" light.
there you go, dragged out an old one to show you what I meant. the screws are for the ballast windings, and not the interconnecting wires, they're only pushed in, and released by pusing down on the slot..... pretty sure it's the common method of connecting these things, certainly all the ones I've seen were like it..
brightspark
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move the ballast over a bit if it isnt and just refix using self drilling self tappers
So after another look at the wire connectors there is a tiny 1mm hole which is the disconnect point but I could not get it to release on both wires so cut the wires and removed the ballast. Refitting was not straight forward either. The power feed wire (white) was too small for it to grip in the hole position that the old one was in. Now next to it is a similar hole and it is connected to the first one. The return wire is multi strand instead of a solid wire and so I have to solder that so it will go in the lock mechanism. I double checked both wire holes by cutting the connection block off (plastic) and cut it apart and confirmed that the feed was indeed a double connector and the return wire was soldered. The return wire would not release either using the intended hole. Back to it tomorrow.
