Chosen Solution
I have a fluorescent light fixture that uses two 40-watt 4’ long tubes. It has recently started acting strange. When first turned on, it works fine for a minute or two, then one of the tubes becomes dim and the other becomes dim and flashing. It’s not the tubes, as I’ve replaced those and nothing changed. Someone suggested it might be the ballast. I’m not exactly sure exactly how old the fixture is, but I’d guess it’s at least 10 years old and has been used daily for that entire time. Is the problem caused by the ballast, and if so is that something that can be changed, or should I just buy a new fixture?
The ballast is causing your problem, and it can be changed. You need to remove the original ballast, (after you shut off the circuit breaker) and take it to a lighting place or electrical supply house. Better yet, get the numbers off the ballast first and call. It may take them a little while to cross reference the part number, but they will find you a suitable replacement. With any luck, the replacement ballast will be the same size as the old one. If it is not, you will need to find a way to secure it to the old fixture. Perhaps you will need to drill new pilot holes and use sheet metal self tapping screws. Rewire the light if you have to, plug in the new ballast, reset the breaker and you should have bright consistent light. Otherwise, for a few dollars more, you can get yourself a new light fixture
Annoyingly true that sometimes it’s cheaper to replace whole fixture than the ballast. Arrgh. LED lighting is getting cheap fast, and doesn’t seem to include the environmental dangers of mercury (plus whatever evils lurk in the ballasts). Have a look here. https://www.instructables.com/howto/LED+…
If all above fails (which probablywon’t) get a new transformer. -Me-
Sell this ballast to a cinematographer. They’ll love you for it.
