fluorescent light ballast Help

jehangir

Can anyone help me with an issue with an older fluorescent light ballast in my mothers kitchen.

It started playing up a month ago taking a few switches to turn on the only started to glow on the ends , I changed the tube but no improvement.

I was told that it maybe the starter fuse but the ballast doesn't seem to have one on the side ( it is a older unit from around 25 years ago ) .

Could the starter be inside the unit or is time to change the whole unit ?

https://imgur.com/eLGH6vu

Any help would be appreciated.

Le_Kirk

The starter normally a little cylindrical thing, sticks out or should stick out of the case so you can change it without having to remove the lid and expose any electrics. I once determined that a ballast and failed in a neighbour's fluorescent but when I went looking for a replacement, it was cheaper to buy a complete new light unit.

Robin9

There will be one inside but perhaps time for a new LED fitting - have a look at Screwfix or the DIY sheds for £30/40

Jackmydad

If there is no "starter" it's possibly an "instant start" fitting. The start works in a different way by applying a high voltage at startup.
I have seen starters inside the fitting, although IIRC those were really old fittings.
If an instant start has gone faulty, you might as well change the fitting.

phill99

Just buy a whole new fluorescent light unit. It isn't worth trying to fix it.
https://www.toolstation.com/thorn-fluorescent-batten-fitting-hpf/p91091

jehangir

Thanks for everyone for taking the time out to respond . Will take it down on the weekend and pick one up from screw fix / toolstation. Hopefully it will be a direct replacement and not too hard to fit.


thanks again

jehangir

Finally had a chance to get the cover off the ballast , there is a 1 amp fuse and what is marked as a Internal Resistor , could this be the starter ?
250 V.R.M.Z
internal resistor
BS 4017 : 1966
BB-10-69


Was tempted to change the whole unit but if I can get away with just the starter it would save alot of hassle.


https://imgur.com/a/pRmWqe6
https://imgur.com/a/G2eBscL

phill99

Are you still on with this?


Just change the whole unit. The resistors have probably gone which aren't replaceable so you will have wasted all this time and effort and have it sewn up in half an hour if you just buy a new one.

jehangir

phill99 wrote: »

Are you still on with this?


Just change the whole unit. The resistors have probably gone which aren't replaceable so you will have wasted all this time and effort and have it sewn up in half an hour if you just buy a new one.

Thanks for responding ... is it just a case of swapping overs the wires ?



I have phoned a few electricians but they want £180 to install the unit .