Fluorescent light gone in kitchen, now what do I do?

pandora205

Hi - can someone help please?

The fluorescent light seems to have flickered and died in the kitchen. It hasn't tripped a fuse or anything but has definitely gone. What do I need to do/get to replace it (which bits)? Where do I get them? Is it easy to do myself?

Please excuse my ignorance!

Thanks

consultant31

pandora205 wrote: »

Hi - can someone help please?

The fluorescent light seems to have flickered and died in the kitchen. It hasn't tripped a fuse or anything but has definitely gone. What do I need to do/get to replace it (which bits)? Where do I get them? Is it easy to do myself?

Please excuse my ignorance!

Thanks

Very easy to do yourself (I can and I'm rubbish at technical stuff, lol) provided you can safely climb a ladder to get the old tube out. Push it slightly towards one end and it should come out easily. Measure the length before shopping for another as they come in several lengths. Also it's a good idea to have a spare starter motor (the bit that sticks out towards one end) in case that has gone as well. The just twist out easily.

If you have a hardware shop locally you should be able to get one there.

LesD

Hi Pandora.

The first question is "Does your light fitting have a little cylindrical attachment screwed into the side?"

Something like this........http://www.ebulbshop.com/acatalog/Fluorescent_Starter_Switch_Universal_Fit_4-80_Watt_Supplier_in_pack_of_10.html

This is the most likely item to need replacing. As you can see, it's dirt cheap and can be got from most DIY or electrical shops.

To take it out of the light fitting, just 'push' it in slightly and turn ANTI-clockwise. It should then pop out so you can take it to the shop to be sure you get the right specification of replacement.

If that doesn't work, you'll need to replace the tube itself.

If your light fitting does not have one of those 'switches' come back here for more help! (Maybe not from me though - I only know about the simple ones!)

pandora205

Thanks to you both. I'll investigate when it is light (outside) as doing this in the dark wouldn't be too good. I'm fine up a step ladder so I should be able to take it apart and have a look inside. Then a trip to B&Q maybe (as that is close).

In_for_a_Bargain

They do them in Wilkinsons too if you have one near to you.

pandora205

Yes I do thanks. I'll look there.

TiTheRev

LesD wrote: »

Hi Pandora.

The first question is "Does your light fitting have a little cylindrical attachment screwed into the side?"

Something like this........http://www.ebulbshop.com/acatalog/Fluorescent_Starter_Switch_Universal_Fit_4-80_Watt_Supplier_in_pack_of_10.html

This is the most likely item to need replacing. As you can see, it's dirt cheap and can be got from most DIY or electrical shops.

To take it out of the light fitting, just 'push' it in slightly and turn ANTI-clockwise. It should then pop out so you can take it to the shop to be sure you get the right specification of replacement.

If that doesn't work, you'll need to replace the tube itself.

If your light fitting does not have one of those 'switches' come back here for more help! (Maybe not from me though - I only know about the simple ones!)

Just an aside, if you have another strip-light in the house, the starter (cylindrical attachment!) should be the same in most types, so you can just switch it from one to the other and that will tell you whether it's the bulb or starter thats at fault without spending any money!

HTH

pandora205

Thanks but I don't have any others. I still have to sort this (v busy writing an assignment just now and happy to do nothing in the kitchen at night!)

TiTheRev

Worth a shot, no midnight snacks just yet for you then

Sparky29

If it is the tube there are two light fitting types. To remove:

1. Push the tube firmly to one end until the two prongs on the tube at the other end disengage from the light fitting. Move the free end downwards and then disengage the other end of the tube.

or

2. Twist the tube through 90 degrees. This aligns the two prongs on the tube with a slot on the light fitting. The tube should just drop down.

DO NOT break the tube. Dispose of properly as the contents are CARCINOGENIC and POISONOUS.

pandora205

Ah this turns out to be not quite so simple. I took the tube out but no sign of a starter motor like the one in the weblink above. So I took of the panel under the tube to find a long cuboid shaped thing with lots of wires coming out.

I think I'll take a trip to Homebase (as this seems to be the supplier judging by a label stuck to it) and ask their advice, with tube in hand.