Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - bypassing the switch on a torch lamp

I need to bypass/replace the switch on a torch lamp that I just bought a $20 bulb for thinking that was the problem.

In order to access the switch, I had to cut the power lead wires coming from the bottom. To my surprise, the switch is more complex to simply bypass and place a simple in-line switch on the power cord.

The rotatable rheostat switch is on a small electric board. two black power inputs on the lower side, two black outputs plus two white wires on the upper side that goes to the expensive florescent bulb. ( 2 wires in, 4 wires out)

Is there a way I can bypass this damaged switch (which cant be bought easily) to make the lamp work? Im happy with simple on or off, dont need the rheostat.

Hi Tim and welcome to the forum. Difficult question. Even with a schematic, it would be poor judgement to advise on a non-standard modification that if it did have a problem in the future someone might question who said to do that, like an insurance company :(.

I ran an electronics repair shop for many years and fixing things always boiled down to time and materials vs the value/cost of the item in question. It really gave meaning to the phrase "a throw-away society", so I know how you feel.

In my state we have some of the toughest consumer laws in the country, they allow us to return defective items for up to 4 years. Don't know what laws you have or how old it is, but when you expect something to last and it doesn't, taking it back is an option. Especially when repairs are not possible.

Good luck
Bud

Yeah....I considered all of the above. I dont think I can return it at this point because I have no proof of purchase such as the receipt, second, I already dug in and made modifications by removing the switch.

The problem is with the manufactures that compete to build something as cheap as possible and the trial lawyers always looking to find someone else to blame.

Im still going to consider a fix. thanks

Here's a better idea. (I love it when I seek advice and end up answering my own question)

I contacted the manufacturer.....they "might" send me out a replacement switch. I have to wait and see

Update: I bought and installed a new switch from the manufacturer. It turned out that new switch was intermittent, so I had to send it back.

So....Im back to bypassing the switch, which I successfully did. The new problem is the bulb is a circular florescent, which likely requires a ballast or starter of some type. Does anyone know an easy way to add such?

If you are talking about a ring shaped circular bulb - maybe 9" or 12 " in diameter, I don't know where you plan to hide a ballast. You will need to drill and mount grounded spring clips to hold the bulb plus a place to fit a proper ballast.

I dont know where to hide it either....does it have to be hidden? Could be sit on the floor. Something needs to start the light. Im open to ideas

Ta-da! It was just a $9 ballast after all. Works great!