8' CFL problem

[Greg G]

I just put a new ballast in a light fixture. Only one bulb lights. Double checked the wiring. Swapped out bulbs with 4 others that work. Not the bulbs. I have another light fixture that developed this problem last week.

Defective ballast?

Thanks,

Greg

 

[superjoe83]

are these single pin or bi-pin lamps? probably the socket is bad, have you tried twisting the bulb while the fixture is on to see if you can get it to light?

 

[ponygt65]

Many things can contribute to this. Please answer the following and I can be of more help:

Lamp type (T12, T8, HO)
8 foot long lamps, or 8' fixtures with 4' lamps
How old are the lamps and ballast?
If new, eletronic or magnetic ballast?
New fixture or ballast change?


It could be 'normal', it could be wiring, it could be bad lamps, it could be bad ballast, and it could be bad lamp holders.

 

[ponygt65]

are these single pin or bi-pin lamps? probably the socket is bad, have you tried twisting the bulb while the fixture is on to see if you can get it to light?

If he has 8' lamps, they are either single pin or RSC based. Just an FYI for ya.

 

[Greg G]

The bulbs are Phillips T96T12/DX 75 watts. Single pin.

The ballast I replaced yesterday is a brand new Advance brand and the bulb is listed on the ballast.

I've twisted and pressed the bulbs into their sockets to make sure they are connecting.

 

[Troubleshooter]

The bulbs are Phillips T96T12/DX 75 watts. Single pin.

The ballast I replaced yesterday is a brand new Advance brand and the bulb is listed on the ballast.

I've twisted and pressed the bulbs into their sockets to make sure they are connecting.

Check to see if the lampholders became traded at one end of the fixture. That is, does each lamp have one of the other lamp's sockets. If the wiring is wrong, one lamp has both flashover starting networks, and the other lamp doesn't have one.

Check to see that the fixture reflector is in place, and is grounded.

Some fixtures have a safety switch that doesn't energize the lampholders unless a lamp is actually installed. Check for a defect in this.

 

[Greg G]

Thanks. I'll check the lampholders and report back.

 

[ponygt65]

Check to see if they Advance Ballast you purchased is Electronic or magnetic.

Also, what temperature is the room that these are in?

and +1 on dbl checking the lampholders.:thumbsup:

 

[Greg G]

You guys are Da Men! :twothumbs

On the light with the new ballast I swapped terminals on one end and presto it works!

On the second light that had been working good I pulled the end terminals off to swap them and I found that a wire had a bad connection on one of them. It's one of those *push in* type dealie bobbers and the wire fell out when I pulled that particular cap out of the housing. I pushed the wire back in and tugged on it to make sure it was in tight and now that light works too!

Thanks!

Greg

 

[ponygt65]

Glad you got it worked out.:twothumbs