Why fluorescent lamp won't stay on?

[Apesbrain]

I have a fluorescent desk lamp that recently developed a problem: it will turn on first thing in the AM, but by the time I've gone to make my coffee and return it is off. If I switch it off and wait 10 minutes, it will often come back on but this cycle may need to be repeated a few times before it will stay on for the day.

It is a bit of a bother to disassemble this lamp, so I'm asking if the first suspect for replacement is the bulb (a square 4-pin tube) or the ballast? The bulb is about 3 years old; the ballast around 10 years (when I first needed to replace it.) Thanks.

 

[James]

Replace the lamp.
wont do any harm to try.

 

[Apesbrain]

Replace the lamp.

The "lamp" or the "bulb"? I'd like to keep the lamp (fixture).

I got a new ballast today and replacement bulb (28W GR10q 4-pin) is on the way. Since bulb won't arrive for a few weeks, I'll probably replace the ballast and see if that fixes the issue.

 

[James]

A “bulb” is what I meant by lamp.

 

[123]

A “bulb” is what I meant by lamp.

And after many years of working with Joe Public this is why I just call them a "bulb" these days lol

 

[DPG]

And after many years of working with Joe Public this is why I just call them a "bulb" these days lol

Nothing wrong with calling them light bulbs.

 

[ipf]

Nothing wrong with calling them light bulbs.

Like some do with starter motors for 5ft fluorescent bulbs?

 

[brianmoooore]

A 2D LED replacement panel would solve the OP's problem, whether it's the ballast or lamp that is faulty.

 

[ipf]

A 2D LED replacement panel would solve the OP's problem, whether it's the ballast or lamp that is faulty.

Come on brian, it's a bulb.....

 

[brianmoooore]

Incandescent bulb, but fluorescent lamp. To be a bulb, it's got to be bulb shaped.

 

[DPG]

Incandescent bulb, but fluorescent lamp. To be a bulb, it's got to be bulb shaped.

Can't argue with that logic.

 

[westward10]

Fluorescent tubes are tubers, similar to bulbs.

 

[DPG]

Fluorescent tubes are tubers, similar to bulbs.

Excellent!

 

[brianmoooore]

Fluorescent tubes are tubers

I did once plant about 40 of them on end under a 400kV overhead line.

 

[DPG]

I did once plant about 40 of them on end under a 400kV overhead line.

I think I've seen your YouTube video (youtuber?)

 

[brianmoooore]

When are we going to get a 'groan' emoji?

 

[ipf]

When are we going to get a 'groan' emoji?

They don't seem to be working....or I'd have used one for your informative 'bulb shaped' comment....( and for a wink on this one).

 

[Apesbrain]

Anyway... It was the ballast. 10 years seems like the limit on these.

 

[DPG]

Anyway... It was the ballast. 10 years seems like the limit on these.

Glad you got it sorted. Sorry, we got a bit distracted!

 

[donnelly22]

I had the same table lamp, and I went through this problem. At first, I replaced the tube itself: it was brighter, but it is dim again after a couple of turns. Then I took the body apart and checked the ballast - the plastic was warm and there was a slight squeak. I put a new electronic ballast and returned the old lamp to its place, for a year without failures. So I would suspect ballast first; if there is a spare lamp on hand, quickly eliminate it, but ten-year-old ballast, in my experience, is reliable.

 

[DefyG]

I was taught during mt apprenticeship - 'A Bulb Grows - A Lamp Glows'

So its a lamp to me!