Fluorescent Lamps - need some advice

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jonherries

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#238219 7-Jul-2018 14:27

Have some batten tubes - Thorn Pluslux 4000 - 36W they are about 1m long - although guessing they must be 4 feet according to what I have googled?

Have spent some googling but unclear whether I can get a similar diameter and stick it in
? Cant see a ballast on the fixture. Is it best to just replace the whole fixture?

DarthKermit

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#2051104 7-Jul-2018 14:32

The ballast is inside the light fitting, under the screwed cover.

Fluoro tubes are measured in feet. Just take an old tube in with you and get a similar one.

Kickinbac

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#2051137 7-Jul-2018 16:09

You can get tubes at bunnings or mitre 10 or your local electrical wholesaler such as Corys or J A Russell. They will have the different lengths, colours etc. Usually best to replace both tubes so the colour matches as may be difficult to get the exact tube unless you can special order them.
I can’t see the starters on your fitting, these are are a small round cylinders about 20mm diameter x 30mm long that sometimes need replacing too.

andrewNZ

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#2051174 7-Jul-2018 16:55

Replace the starters at the same time as the tubes. Failed starters wreck tubes.

The starters are usually in the sides of the fitting.

Predated

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#2051196 7-Jul-2018 18:00

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/philips-fluorescent-t8-36w-840-tube_p00863243#tab-specs

only $5.50 at Bunnings

jonherries

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#2051219 7-Jul-2018 19:29

That is the model I have bought two of, will see how it goes (wth ballasts).

Jon

richms

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#2051220 7-Jul-2018 19:40

If they dont start straight up when you turn it on, take them out till you get new starters since if the starter doesnt open, it will cook the ends of the tube while it trys to start.

Richard rich.ms

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k1w1k1d

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#2051250 7-Jul-2018 21:26

This has reminded me to finally get around to replacing one of the 100w bulbs in the garage with a twin 5ft fluorescent that I have had gathering dust for 20years.

I will be getting the 865 tubes, 6500K verses 4000K for the 840's. Two tubes and a pair of starters from Bunnings is under $17.

scuwp

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#2051296 8-Jul-2018 09:57

People still use these? Go LED's nowadays surely.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

richms

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#2051427 8-Jul-2018 13:01

scuwp:

People still use these? Go LED's nowadays surely.

I have had very short life on the 2 led batterns I bought, and they flickered badly, whereas an electronic ballasted fluro is cheap as anything, bright and no flicker. Old magnetic ballast lamps flickered but not as bad as some of the trash quality LEDs that are made by some places that figure the way to deal with poor quality capacitors is to just leave them out.

Richard rich.ms

k1w1k1d

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#2051605 8-Jul-2018 17:45

Invested $17 for a couple of 6500K 5ft tubes and starters for the garage this morning. Fitted the light above where I use the table saw and router. Crikey, what a difference it has made compared to the old 100w light bulb. Very bright white light with no shadows. Should have done this ages ago.