Dazor light housing very hot

[VeroLonnie]

Hi guys, I have a second-hand Dazor light that clamps to the edge of my bench, Model # P-2134. Guy I bought it from stated the light was on his bench at work for over 20 years. Have used it for over a year, like it, but the base gets very hot. I removed a cover exposing wires and a black thing (no clue and very little shame) that looks tired. Underneath the black thing there appears to be a piece of folded heavy cardboard.

The heat and cardboard make me VERY nervous. There is nothing obvious to ME that looks irregular, except for the cardboard. Thoughts, possible fix, any help? Thanks in advance for any reply.

Lonnie

 

[Lightning rod]

The black thing is the ballast transformer
They get warm but not HOT. Can you hold on the housing very long ? how HOT
Are you able to measure the current in the line? The nameplate says 0.42 amps
so that would give an indication of whats wrong
Are the flourescent bulbs of the correct wattage?

 

[VeroLonnie]

1. The bulbs are ITT F15T8/CW Cool White. They came in the lamp. I asked previous owner if there was anything special about the bulbs that might make them hard to replace if they failed. He stated he could not remember ever changing the bulbs, though it was on his desk over twenty years.

2. Haven't measured the temp, but I will reassemble, plug in and measure later tonight. It is too hot for me to want to hold, past the "warm" stage, I think.

3. Measure current in the line? Do you mean check at the outlet? Or, remove wire nuts and check there? Both? I have run plenty of items off the outlet, vacuum, tumbler, shop light, etc., never noticed anything unusually warm. But I have not checked the outlet with a meter.

I have to head out for a few hours. Will reassemble and check temp after returning. I appreciate your time and assistance.

Lonnie

 

[Lightning rod]

Use a clamp meter on one individual wire from the power cord when it enters the lamp (black or white) and compare it against the rated current on the lamp label
If it's missing, the current should be less than 0.5 amps
Those bulbs are common

looks like the company is still around for support

Dazor Lighting Technology

and if you have a ballast problem, they have a solution

Dazor | Magnetic Ballast for 15W Fluorescent Bulb - 8BL100-013

Shop our online store for replacement Magnetic Ballast for 15W fluorescent light fixtures. Find a large selection of replacement parts and accessories for task lamps, lighted magnifiers and more.

www.dazor.com

Very cool lamp by the way, congrats

 

[Walkers]

Is it a 2 tube lamp? Does it have 2 ballasts?

 

[VeroLonnie]

Use a clamp meter on one individual wire from the power cord when it enters the lamp (black or white) and compare it against the rated current on the lamp label
If it's missing, the current should be less than 0.5 amps
Those bulbs are common

looks like the company is still around for support

Dazor Lighting Technology

and if you have a ballast problem, they have a solution

Dazor | Magnetic Ballast for 15W Fluorescent Bulb - 8BL100-013

Shop our online store for replacement Magnetic Ballast for 15W fluorescent light fixtures. Find a large selection of replacement parts and accessories for task lamps, lighted magnifiers and more.

www.dazor.com

Very cool lamp by the way, congrats

OK, a neighbor was helping me tonight and while moving the light around one of the bulbs went out. The other was strong. Looking closely, my neighbor noticed that the small piece that holds one of the tube ends was broken, missing the plastic piece (bakelite?) that surrounds the metal clips. Neighbor thinks the metal might be contacting the body of the lamp and possibly causing the heating problem.

I don't know if that is THE problem, but if definitely appears to be A problem. The lamp has worked fine for over a year, now can't get the end of the bulb to sit firmly in place. Picture below. I removed the broken piece and will contact Dazor tomorrow to see if they have a replacement piece. I also removed the "cardboard" piece from the base. It says "Inspector #5", so I expect it should be there, not a leftover from a previous repair attempt.

Will see what Dazor has to say and try again. Thanks for the response.

 

[VeroLonnie]

Is it a 2 tube lamp? Does it have 2 ballasts?

Hi Walkers, yes, the lamp is a double tube. There are two "ballast transformers". Had another issue tonight with the piece that holds the end of the tube in place. Please see my response to Lightening Rod. Have a good night.

 

[ng3689]

Super cool lamp, my grandpa owns a Dazor 2324-16 with a GE f15t8/d from 1951; The other lamp is a JFC lamp. (Japanese fried chicken? XD)