Odd fluorescent tube goings on.

[GBDamo]

Had an interesting situation today.

Playing about putting new tubes and starters in four fittings, found one pair of tubes where when new tubes and starters fitted the tubes didn't come on.

When I put the old starters back in with the new tubes they came on.

All tubes and starters were compatible and from the same manufacturer.

What could cause this?

My guess is that a used starter is more bendy (technical term) through use and it's a sign that the ballast is on its last legs.

 

[Darkwood]

Are these series starters or are we talking 2 separate tubes with independent ballasts?

 

[buzzlightyear]

When I put the old starters back in with the new tubes they came on.

who's starters where they ,and what watts ,I had the same problem a few weeks back .

 

[GBDamo]

Are these series starters or are we talking 2 separate tubes with independent ballasts?

4 x 2ft tubes, 2 tubes on one ballast, a starter for each tube.

 

[Darkwood]

You have probably got a duff starter, if you swap it out for 2 new ones you know work you will probably find the tubes strike ok (as the old ones showed)... it can be confusing because you have 2 starters that need to work in order for any of the tubes to strike.

 

[GBDamo]

who's starters where they ,and what watts ,I had the same problem a few weeks back .

SYLVANIA 18W tubes and 4-65W SYLVANIA starters

 

[buzzlightyear]

4 x 2ft tubes, 2 tubes on one ballast, a starter for each tube.

you mean louver ones ?

 

[Darkwood]

You have got the wrong starters by the sound of it, you need series starters usually 4-22watt with series written on them, this is why they don't work.

 

[GBDamo]

You have probably got a duff starter, if you swap it out for 2 new ones you know work you will probably find the tubes strike ok (as the old ones showed)... it can be confusing because you have 2 starters that need to work in order for any of the tubes to strike.

Went through a box and all were the same, weirdly put the old starters in and they worked.

 

[GBDamo]

you mean louver ones ?

Yes.

 

[Flanders]

Are you sure your using the correct starters if two on one ballast I think yoh need the series ones

 

[GBDamo]

You have got the wrong starters by the sound of it, you need series starters usually 4-22watt with series written on them, this is why they don't work.

Wasn't aware of the difference and haven't seen this before. Will look into this.

 

[Darkwood]

You may be best replacing the old ones, if any are partly burnt out with trying to start failing tubes then they may fail on your new tubes and massively reduce life expectancy of tubes.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Are you sure your using the correct starters if two on one ballast I think yo need the series ones

turn that h up side down and you will have a u.

 

[Darkwood]

Wasn't aware of the difference and haven't seen this before. Will look into this.

We all go through a learning curve, it's one of those mistakes you really only make once, now you know you should be fine in future, to note!, not all 2ft multi tube fittings are series wired, always check or take both options if ever called out.

 

[GBDamo]

They say for single or twin tubes

FS11 RAF is the product number.

 

[MFS Electrical]

SYLVANIA 18W tubes and 4-65W SYLVANIA starters

Where they FS2 starters the new ones? As in designed to work in series normal starters just won’t do it.

Edit: read further in and found the FS11s these never seem to work with 18W tubes better off sticking with 4-22W FS2 starters

 

[buzzlightyear]

Sylvania 4-65W Standard Diffuser Starters

 

[Darkwood]

Starter | Sylvania Lighting Solutions - http://www.sylvania-lighting.com/product/en-gb/products/0024432

On the listing it say type T5 ... if this is the tube size then are your tubes T5 ?
It does seem they do have duel purpose, maybe a phone call to technical, if I recall using Sylvania I used FS22 for standard T8 tubes but not sure if that is what they mean in their listing.

EDIT - just read data section, they should be ok for lamps with a diameter up to 21.5mm so they seem to be the right ones, I would contact Sylvania tech' or you wholesaler then for advice on why they are not working.

 

[GBDamo]

Starter | Sylvania Lighting Solutions - http://www.sylvania-lighting.com/product/en-gb/products/0024432

On the listing it say type T5 ... if this is the tube size then are your tubes T5 ?
It does seem they do have duel purpose, maybe a phone call to technical, if I recall using Sylvania I used FS22 for standard T8 tubes but not sure if that is what they mean in their listing.

No, T8s, god this would be easier if I put all the relevant information in one post.

edited

Head a bit pickled after a three hour drive home, traffic a nightmare.