can someone please advise on this type of light?

[stixwitch]

Hey electricians forum,

my grandparents are knocking on 90 and the main light in their living room has packed up... by packed up i mean that when they switch on the light it does nothing but fire up (try to light but keeps flashing and never catches... you know what i mean right every grandma's house will flicker a few times and then dazzle a brilliant light?!)
any way, i don't want them to sit in candle light and I have no idea if they stop make these types of bulbs... please could someone help me diagnose?

 

[GBDamo]

Gonna need some more detail I'm affraid.

Is there no markings on the existing bulb? Or the fitting?

To be fair a new fitting would be easier once you factor in your time and effort.

 

[westward10]

It's a G10q fluorescent tube and they are still available. The ends looks pretty blackened so a new tube and starter while you are at it may well resolve it. Make sure of it's diameter before you get a new one

 

[stixwitch]

It's a G10q fluorescent tube and they are still available. The ends looks pretty blackened so a new tube and starter while you are at it may well resolve it. Make sure of it's diameter before you get a new one

Thankyou so much!

 

[westward10]

The three clips which hold it in place should be sprung loaded, the one at the plastic insert on the tube has the electrical contacts for the tube.
Quite unusual yours they normally have a glass dome which screws to a central thread by a nut.

 

[telectrix]

replace with a LED fitting. more reliable and less running costs.

 

[Timbo]

Try here: -

Missing Cookie

Or as Tel said.

 

[westward10]

Be cautious replacing those with leds as the grandparents may well not like them.

 

[davesparks]

replace with a LED fitting. more reliable and less running costs.

Considering the age of those fittings I'd say it's already pretty reliable.

Why throw the whole thing away when it just needs a new lamp and starter?

I would agree about replacing it if it had failed completely but it hasn't.

 

[westward10]

My mother has two in her lounge and have only ever retubed and fitted new starters, been there since the 70s and they give a nice illumination.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

As it is flashing the starter is OK. Just need to replace the tube really.

 

[DPG]

As it is flashing the starter is OK. Just need to replace the tube really.

False economy really though for the few pence of a starter while you've got the fitting apart and the steps out.

 

[davesparks]

As it is flashing the starter is OK. Just need to replace the tube really.

The problem is that the flashing is degrading the starter.