fluorescent light problem

diamond_dave

last year I replaced my old 5ft strip light and last week it started to flash intermitantly with dark patches on ends. Realising the tube had gone I replaced it and all seemed fine until yesterday when it started flashing again and now does not come on at all! I tried to change the starter only to find it doesn't have one. Do I just get another tube incase this one is faulty, or change the whole fitting perhaps for a LED fitting. Any advice really appreciated.

baldelectrician

The starter may be inside the fitting- better to have a look (or get someone in if you are not sure / do not feel qualified)




New fittings are not switch start - they have electronic ballasts which check the tube before allowing it to start.


You can buy a new 5 foot light with a tube for around the £20 mark.

Heedtheadvice

I wouldn't give the bullet and go for led.
Still low energy, better control over colour temperatures, no holes in the spectrum, very long lasting, no cold starting issues......just problematic with things like rotating machinery.

diamond_dave

Thanks for replies - checked the fitting and no starter -seems that the new ones don't have one. cannot understand why the fitting should go after only 14 months? It was from homebase so may be it was too cheap. Anyone recommend a good fluorescent batten fitting or an LED?

lstar337

diamond_dave wrote: »

Thanks for replies - checked the fitting and no starter -seems that the new ones don't have one. cannot understand why the fitting should go after only 14 months? It was from homebase so may be it was too cheap. Anyone recommend a good fluorescent batten fitting or an LED?

Take it back to Homebase. Even the electronic ballast versions should go on for year and years.

Get an LED type with your refund.

diamond_dave

Ok, so now I'm getting my head around all this. Apparantly,I can use the existing 5ft battenn fitting and retrofit a LED tube but would have to remove the ballast and wire it direct. Is this feasable? practical? It doesn't seem to be a problem - I'm good with electrics and building work. can any one foresee any problems? It just means that I can use the existing fitting.

diamond_dave

Update - disconnected the light and nipped back to Homebase. the guy was brilliant but pointed out that they haven't been Homebase for a couple of years!! They don't even sell fluorescent fittings. So off to toolstation for a new one.

Heedtheadvice

Why?

I mean why buy a new florescent fitting? - if that is what you meant!

Is there something wrong with buying a ' cheap ' pendant fitting and then using common cheap led bulbs?

lstar337

diamond_dave wrote: »

Ok, so now I'm getting my head around all this. Apparantly,I can use the existing 5ft battenn fitting and retrofit a LED tube but would have to remove the ballast and wire it direct. Is this feasable? practical? It doesn't seem to be a problem - I'm good with electrics and building work. can any one foresee any problems? It just means that I can use the existing fitting.

No issue with that, I've done it before.

lstar337

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

Why?

I mean why buy a new florescent fitting? - if that is what you meant!

Is there something wrong with buying a ' cheap ' pendant fitting and then using common cheap led bulbs?

There is if you want even light in a large room.

I can't think of many situations were a single pendant would be and acceptable replacement for a batten.