Fluorescent fixtures

[ajchien]

I don't know enough about electrical ...

I've got a ceiling light that consists of two fluorescent fixtures, each with two 4ft long bulbs that appear to be connected in series.

It's erratic now. One fixture is on, the other off, next time vice versa. Sometimes neither is on. Sometimes one of them is on, but dim.

I've swapped with new bulbs, no difference. Still erratic.

Should I consider messing around replacing sockets (do they still have starters?), and ballasts? Or will I save myself a lot of time and effort by just buying and instaling new fixtures?

 

[HaroRider]

I dont know much electrical myself, but start by putting new bulbs. Its probably the ballast going bad. I know sometimes once they warm up bad ballast tend to stop working.

 

[pattenp]

How old do think the fixtures are? If they are T12's you will be better off just replacing them with T8 fixtures than trying to fix them by replacing ballast or sockets.

 

[ajchien]

I think the fixtures are from '89, the original build date. They are T8 bulbs.

 

[r_olson_06]

Ballast is probably bad, if you replace the ballast they have electronic ballast which are more efficient and really light weight. Just match the ballast by the incoming voltage most likely 120v and the number of bulbs and type T8. There is a wiring diagram on the cover of most ballast. Just connect the wires as shown the picture. Then you should be good.