Frustrated with Fluorescent!

[cajunfirehawk]

Our home and garage are apx 5 years old and was new construction when we moved in. We are constantly having issues with the fluorescent fixtures and the bulbs not coming on! In the garage area it seems to be more of a seasonal issue with it being worse in the winter and the lights not wanting to come on. It does not appear to be an issue with either the bulbs or the ballast being bad, more so of a not making a good connection issue? And to explain further on that; if I flip the switch and one of the tubes does not come on most of the time if I just tap on the housing with let’s say a broom stick the light will come on! Same issue in the kitchen and laundry room, except in the kitchen the lights are much harder to get to and require a 10ft’ free standing ladder to get to them! Were so frustrated with them, we are almost to the point of replacing them all with some other type of light fixtures. When I do replace tubes, as now and then one will burn out, the ends are very tricky to get the new bulbs in and “locked” into place, keep in mind these are the smaller 48” tubes with green ends. In doing some research about issues w/fluorescent fixtures on the web, one poster commented that he thought it was a corrosion issue and cleaning the contacts of the ends would solve the issue and in his opinion the problem was due to high humidity (which I do have) and that would solve the issue? I would consider the fixtures in my home to be “contractor grade” fixtures, nothing more. Anyone else have issues with their fluorescent fixtures? Any suggestions?

 

[kbs2244]

If you are sure temp is not the problem, give each end a squirt of WD40 and twist the bulbs back and forth to rub the contacts.
If it is corrosion that should fix it.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

If you are sure temp is not the problem, give each end a squirt of WD40 and twist the bulbs back and forth to rub the contacts.
If it is corrosion that should fix it.

When you say "temp is not a problem" you mean extreme temps one way or the other? Both my house and garage have a/c so neither are too hot...

And on the tip about wd40, is wd40 flamable? If not, sounds like a great suggestion

 

[Slowboat]

Are you using the correct bulbs with the fixtures? IE T-8s or T-12s?

I would be surprised that corrosion issues are that serious - How are other copper items fairing? You don't have Chinese drywall issues do you?

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Are you using the correct bulbs with the fixtures? IE T-8s or T-12s?

I would be surprised that corrosion issues are that serious - How are other copper items fairing? You don't have Chinese drywall issues do you?

Yes, correct tubes T8's if memory serves...NO,..no china drywall here.

 

[twincam00]

In the garage area it seems to be more of a seasonal issue with it being worse in the winter and the lights not wanting to come on.

Standard ballasts in fluorescent lights wont work well in the cold, I have the same problem in my garage. They aren't broken, they just don't like the cold. Electronic ballasts will work just fine in cold temps.

 

[sikopal]

Standard ballasts in fluorescent lights wont work well in the cold, I have the same problem in my garage. They aren't broken, they just don't like the cold. Electronic ballasts will work just fine in cold temps.

+1 on the work like **** in the cold, when my interior temps dip into the 40's lites seem to function at 75%, as soon as temps get into the 50's everythings back to normal

 

[brucer]

I kick my heater on in the garage for about 30minutes before i turn the lights on.. If i dont they flicker and pulse and run at about 40-50% until the garage warms up.

 

[frankush]

Try replacing just the sockets or lampholders. The wiring connections from the ballasts are just a push in configuration. Look up a Leviton catalog online and match up what you need. Try it with a couple of fixtures and I'll bet that it will take care of your issues.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

If you are sure temp is not the problem, give each end a squirt of WD40 and twist the bulbs back and forth to rub the contacts.
If it is corrosion that should fix it.

I went to HD and picked up some t8 32 watt in 6500k and tried a lil wd40 like suggested and so far that worked great, 6500k are great for the garage too

Hope that was the issue?

 

[kippieland]

The problem sounds like the ballasters..either to cold in the room or they are going out. IF it keeps happening they are easy to replace.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

No, I really don't think so, remember were on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Very high humidity here. In fact we had the air conditioning on today due to the dampness in the house.We see few days under 30. Some of the fixtures had the original bulbs in them from construction (5yrs) but so far I think this wd40 thing might do the trick, keeping fingers crossed. Those Phillips 6500k bulbs kick **** too!

 

[Greatbear]

Some of the green (low mercury) tubes are prone to starting issues, even in T8 configurations which are usually good for 0F starting. If they are no-name tubes, this could be an issue. I have good luck with Sylvania lamps in the garage.

 

[billsr4]

Try cleaning the tubes with a damp rag and dry them before reinstalling them.
Sometimes the dust and dirt will keep them from lighting.