Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Premature Faillure in Fluorescent Bulbs

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Billbhrv
03-02-09, 10:55 AM
What would make 4 foot Fluorescent lighting in a bathroom go bad prematurely, within 3 days?

furd
03-02-09, 12:28 PM
Cheap tube or a failing ballast. It could also be poor wire connections to the "tombstone" lamp holders. If it is an old fixture it may have a "starter" that has failed.

Are you sure the tube has failed? If it is just failing to light, maybe a swirling on the end or blinking, it could be the lack of a ground connection to the fixture.
Billbhrv
03-02-09, 02:02 PM
I don't beleive the ground is bad. I have purchased a ballast. It takes longer for the light to come on as well as the end has developed a grayish portion of about 1 inch which usually developes before failure. I was under the impression that we installed the fixture in 1989 but it looks to be a little older and does not have a starter. At least the starter is not visable without dismantleing the relective shroud.

furd
03-02-09, 02:24 PM
Then I would think a failing ballast or a poor quality or mismatched tube for the ballast that is currently being used.
Tolyn Ironhand
03-02-09, 05:15 PM
Check the type of bulbs the ballast is rated for. If you put T8 lamps in a fixture with a T12 ballast (or vice versa) it will shorten the life of both. Although, I have never seen one last only three days.