Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Destroying fluorescent bulbs

Our house is about 17 years old with fluorescent lights in the kitchen (one set of four bulbs = 48") and in the basement - three sets: two of two bulbs and one of four bulbs = 48".

The bulbs in the kitchen have been changed once in the 17 years. The bulbs in the basement last about 6 months and often less in the two sets of two bulbs. I've tried every brand and type and nothing gets me past the short life of bulbs in the basement.

The whole house was wired by professional contractors and I had the voltage checked by the power company. Everything checked out.

Any input or solutions greatly appreciated.

Bob

Change the ballasts.

Thanks for the response. I can do that, but why would they all be bad from day one?

They're 17 years old or did I miss something? We're lucky to get 5 years out a ballast in the office.

The bulbs in the kitchen have been changed once in seventeen years, the bulbs in the basement have never lasted longer than 6 months. They've been doing this since they were new. The lights in the basement are used much less than other ights in the house.

The electricians who installed them looked at the problem and the power company checked voltage. It could be possible all the ballasts were bad in the basement and not in the kitchen. I'll try changing them and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the response.

The next time you change your lamps, leave them on for at least 48 hours and let them burn in. I had the same problem in my workshop. I would burn mine for a few minutes at a time, after replacing the lamps and they didn't last long. After I learned to let them burn it, they last much longer.

The bulbs in the kitchen have been changed once in seventeen years, the bulbs in the basement have never lasted longer than 6 months. They've been doing this since they were new. The lights in the basement are used much less than other ights in the house.

The electricians who installed them looked at the problem and the power company checked voltage. It could be possible all the ballasts were bad in the basement and not in the kitchen. I'll try changing them and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the response.
OK I thought this was a new problem after 17 years.
Check the ballasts and see what tubes are supposed to be used in them. The ballast will have a label on it with a list of the tubes it can light. If you are using the wrong tubes that could be the problem. Also verify the wiring of the fixtures according to the drawing on the ballast.

Ok, I'll give it a try. I appreciate both your responses. I've worked on this off and on for a long time. Then a couple of years ago we started using internet and more recently I started reading the posts on the forums. I thought I'd put it out here to see if I couldn't get it licked.

Thanks a lot

They're 17 years old or did I miss something? We're lucky to get 5 years out a ballast in the office.

Me too at our 6 year old commercial building, suddenly I'm changing them out right and left, with a few odd characters thrown in the mix, like loose wire nuts or a loose stab connection of the socket end

Just be sure you cut the power to these lights first. These ballasts can throw you off a ladder, TRUST ME!