I have an older 18" fluorescent lamp that takes a 15WT8 bulb. As of this morning, it no marcha. I suspect the starter switch, which is your glass-tube type and is pretty black inside.
The problem is that I can't find any "15w" starter switches at any location close to me. I can, however, cheaply and easily find a white, cylindrical starter switch that says, "13w, 30w, 40w" on it.
Can I use this "13w, 30w, 40w" switch with my 15w lamp?
"Tegger"
** Most single tube starters are " Universal " ie 4-65W or 4-80W units.... Phil
"Phil Allison" wrote in news:9mprnlF391U1 @mid.individual.net:
Thank you.
But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and- lower range of wattages?
"Tegger"
** Marketing reasons.... Phil
"Phil Allison" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net:
So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture?
"Tegger"
** Been using " 4-80 W " starters on my 15W desk lamp for decades.... Phil
al.net:
See - we treat you just as nice here as on alt home repair.
" snipped-for-privacy@att.net" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@a17g2000yqj.googlegroups.com:
Appreciate that.
Last time I posted here was many years ago, in relation to a microwave oven. I was roundly scolded by somebody named "Sam Goldwasser", evidently because I had posted an ignorant question.
"Phil Allison" wrote in news:9mqvhnFst9U1 @mid.individual.net:
An update: It turns out that the failure was almost certainly /not/ due to the starter, so it's a good thing I didn't blow $4 on a new one. I removed the starter from the fixture for testing purposes, leaving bare wire-ends on the bypass circuit.
I tried three bulbs, two brand-new. Plus I tested the tubes' filaments for continuity. All tested good, and all worked in another fixture.
I also tested for continuity within the fixture where it seemed logical to see it. I assumed I'd find an open through the ballast, which I did find.
But I guessed that when the ballast was fed with (a measured) 123VAC, I'd see something similar across the wires where the starter was, but all I found was 2.5VAC. That appears to be not enough to strike a spark, and no spark was had, no matter how slowly I brought the wires together.
My guess now is that the ballast is bad. In any case, I went to Walmart and bought a near dead-ringer of my old GE unit for a whopping $13. So this matter is done. Thanks, Phil.
o d r o
nd
Except for the fact that China got another dollar out of the deal and Walmart got twelve. Lenny
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