Fluorescent Light and or Ballast

Updated on June 03, 2011
B.D. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
7 answers

So the fluorescent light in my laundry room is not working or should I say not working properly. The tubes barely light up and there are dark bands around both ends of both bulbs. I know sometimes you need to replace the ballast in a fluorescent fixture but my husband claims that they are expensive to replace. He was going to try replacing the bulbs but I'm doubting this is the problem.

So does anyone have experience to know how to tell if it is the ballast or the bulb?

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your input. He changed both bulbs and it seems to be working fine. YAY!

More Answers

N.P.

answers from San Francisco on

The cheapest thing to try first is bulb replacement, like he's doing. If that doesn't work it's not like having a spare bulb around is a bad thing. The next thing to do is to either replace the ballast or the whole fixture. He's correct that the ballast is expensive, and depending on the fixture, may be easier to just replace the whole thing. If you have an antique light fixture or something that is hard to replace, the ballast is the way to go. If it's just a cheap fixture most of the cost you paid for the fixture was for the ballast inside.

If replacing the fixture doesn't work... you have bigger problems. Your wires may be compromised and shorting out. That would be beyond my ability to fix and the next step would be to contact an electrician.

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N.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi! Check out this article on EHow :

How to Tell If a Fluorescent Ballast Is Going Bad? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_tell-fluorescent-bal...

Also, not all florescent ballasts are expensive, although sometimes it is just as easy to replace the whole fixture if you have a hard time finding the ballast. Instead of a home improvement place, you may want to get a price from an electrical supplier,

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D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi, B.D.
Light bulbs can burn out without having to
replace the blast.

When the blast goes, the light fixture makes a humming sound.

If you don't hear a humming sound, then the blast may be okay.

Talk more with your husband about this situation and both of you
come to an understanding.
D.

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I am not sure exactly what the problem is, however, our light above the kitchen sink does the same thing. You can get it to come on by tapping the bulb lengthwise. May help you out in the meantime. :)

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Good luck with your "blasts"! tee hee

I think he's doing the right thing by trying the replacing the bulbs first....

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Well, I don't have the answer to your question, I just want to say we recently replaced our old-style long tube type hideous flourescent fixture with a spiffy new 6 light spotlight type brushed steel fixture that was only $30 at Lowe's. Furthermore it took my guy just a screwdriver and about 15 minutes to install it. AND it takes fluorescent bulbs!

:)

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S.Z.

answers from Pittsburgh on

it is the ballast. they are NOT expensive to change. I've done it many times. its not hard to change either since wires are color coded.

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