simple flourescent question

[mikep]

I have an old 24" 20watt flourescent light fixture in my utility room. When I turn it on, only the ends light, not the middle of the tube. I tried a new bulb, with the same results. Could it be the ballast (the little cylinder thing)?

[Chris M.]

Could it be the ballast (the little cylinder thing)?

Sounds like your switch-starter is bad. The "little cylinder thing"- is this the removable plastic thing that pokes out of the side, with 2 little metal lugs on the bottom? That`s your starter- I`d replace that and see how it goes. Find one at your local electrical/hardware store. Don`t turn that thing on again till you do, as it can cause damage to the new tube, and the ballast (which is a lumpy rectangular metal thing inside) if left with just the ends glowing.

Hopefully it`ll spring back into life, but if not, possibly the ballast needs changing too. In this case I`d just buy a new fixture, they`re cheap enough.

[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[mikep]

Cool, thanks. I have the switch starter (cylinder thingy) with me, I'll pick up a new one at lunch. I'm not crazy about the fixture, but it's hard-wired into the tiny workbench area where I'm planning to set up a reloading press.