Flourescents not starting

[dmeadow]

I've got two light "zones" in my garage. Each zone has a number of hanging two-bulb 48" flourescents. There are eight in the back and six in the front. In the front zone the lights light up pretty quickly.

In the second zone more lately they have been slow to light and sometimes don't light at all. At first I thought I might have a starter going out, but all the lights are the same age and it seems kind of random as to which light up and which don't. They all go through a GCFI circuit that the front lights don't. I think that there's a problem with that GCFI since the LED on it doesn't light up. Could that be causing my flourescents to start slowly (or not at all)? I'm going to replace it tomorrow, anyway, but I don't know if it will help.

Thanks for any help.

 

[1969]

Voltage tester........ power at the light ? Check the basics first.

 

[Cuda]

I guess my first question would be why are they on a GFCI?

 

[dmeadow]

I guess my first question would be why are they on a GFCI?

Don't know, really. There is only one circuit in that part of the garage and the lights are shared with the outlets. Not ideal, maybe, but that's what I've got.

 

[Random Guy]

How old are the lamps? If these are on rapid start ballasts, when the lamps get near EOL, they start to get hard to start.

 

[Ram]

Changed out mine from magnetic starters to electronic starters and put in new bulbs now they even start in cold weather at almost full brilliance!

Had many non/no/half starts with magnetic starters. Newer ones cost a bit more but are worth it.

If really had the money and better power and a transformer, I'd swap all my lighting over to 277 VAC and be done with it.

 

[kooldino]

Changed out mine from magnetic starters to electronic starters and put in new bulbs now they even start in cold weather at almost full brilliance!

I have issues with my florescents firing up in the winter. I have no idea what a starter is, but I'm guessing I have magnetic. Could you show me photos or link me to these electronic starters?

 

[Aceman]

I have issues with my florescents firing up in the winter. I have no idea what a starter is, but I'm guessing I have magnetic. Could you show me photos or link me to these electronic starters?

They mean ballasts.

 

[gdf_77]

does the led on the gfci come on when the gfci is tripped. you will need to push the TEST button. the led on mine come on when tripped to let you know that there was/is an issue. I work industial maintenance and trust me when I tell you that when it comes to when/why something stops working, alot of times it doesn't make sense. I've seen newer light ballasts go out before some that have been hanging for years. Best thing to do is check and make sure that you have electricity at the light, maybe change out a couple of bulbs, check the light sockets, and if still having problems, new ballasts.

 

[PassnThru]

Just FYI - I bought two cheap 4' lights from Lowes years ago and put them in the attached garage. Turns out, they have a very narrow operating range. They will light fine within about a 20 degree range. Above or below that, they can actually take a few hours to start. They have been doing it since they were new - and they both do it. They are the older style with the old ballast.
Cut your losses and buy some quality lights with electronic ballasts like I did with the detached garage. No problems there.

 

[kbs2244]

Maybe they were wired in series instead in parallel?
They worked until the ballasts started getting tired from the extra load.

 

[Random Guy]

Maybe they were wired in series instead in parallel?
They worked until the ballasts started getting tired from the extra load.

Lighting loads... aren't wired in series.

 

[kbs2244]

They are not supposed to be.
But....