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Lighted Vanity not working - Ballast?

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pancho400cid

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Sep 26, 2014
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Austin, TX
Hey all -

Bathroom vanity has two fluorescent bulbs (55 Watts each, 2G11 base). One does not work.

I swapped bulbs and proved the bulb IS NOT the issue.

I figured I would just replace the ballast. After pretty hard searching on-line by ballast description, part number, etc. I have not been able to find the ballast. I did find a place to buy them by the box, but I just need one.

Is there a universal ballast that would work? Other suggestions?

I don't really want to replace the whole vanity as I like it, and a replacement would likely require paint touch-up, etc. I'd rather avoid.







 
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nadogail

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Have you considered a replacement fixture fixture with LED lamps? They should save you more than the cost the cost of the new fixture.
 
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pancho400cid

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Have you considered a replacement fixture with LED lamps? They should save you more than the cost of the new fixture.
Click to expand...

True, but replacing the vanity would likely snowball into painting, etc. I want to avoid all that. Some wiring in the vanity is no problem.

I think switching out to ballast-bypass LED's is a good idea!

I poked around on the webs and found some with various color temps. I think 3,000K-ish is good for a vanity. The only issue is I did not measure the length of the bulbs and there are options online so have to check that. I'd like to find dimmable LED's so if they are too bright I can add a dimmer switch, but none seem to be dimmable.

Here is one option I found in addition to the previous link:

https://www.prolighting.com/specsheets/Maxlite-Bypass-PLL-Lamps.pdf

Appreciate the input!

...
 
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cybrdyke

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You wont find a dimmable one.
Between the two that are linked in posts above, go with the Maxlite. And dont go above 3000K.
 
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pancho400cid

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Austin, TX
Hey all -

I know this is a pretty "small potatoes" issue by GJ standards, but thought I'd post "the rest of the story". Who knows - maybe useful for somebody.

As said, the left bulb worked and the right had a bad and no-longer-made solid state ballast. First.. I went against GJ advice and scoured the internet and found a ballast with the right specs for what I was trying to do. A Robertson RSO155FT120. I ordered it on-line and installed it. Voila! Both bulbs working. Only...

The right bulb was WAAAYYYY brighter than the left. Actually too bright as in uncomfortable to look at. I think the original ballasts were not putting full voltage on the bulbs so they gave off less light by design.



I decided to follow GJ advice and replace with LED's. I ordered two ballast-bypass LED's - not easy to find but finally did. They were:

Rabb PLL-17-830-BYP 17 Watt 22" LED PLL Lamp - 4-Pin 2G11 Base - 3000K - 2,100 Lumens - 120-277V

The bulbs came in, and predictably, they were a bit longer than the originals - just long enough not to work. I actually had to move the sockets up a little by taking the vanity down and drilling new mounting holes for the bulb sockets.





Now they both work. They are brighter than before, but not as bright as the fluorescent with the "new" ballast was.

All's well that ends I guess!




...
 
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AntonLargiader

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How do you like the 3000K?

I have a fixture like that in our bathroom, and one og the bulbs went. I replaced them both but I think the color is a bit too cold. As someone else mentioned, 2700K is the most popular color around here. Not sure what the ones I bought were.

I put LED bulbs into our range hood, to replace the halogens that were super hot and burned fingers. First ones I got were 3500K and they were too cold. I went down to 3000 and my wife still thinks they're a bit too cold. Next time I buy I'm sticking with 2700.
 
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pancho400cid

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How do you like the 3000K?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the slow reply - I didn't check back on this thread for a while.

I really don't have anything to compare as the original fluorescents were 3000K if I recall correctly.

The warmest LED I could find after quite a search was 3000K so I was stuck with them regardless. They are not terrible, but I can't say 2700 might not be better.

My next step was replacing the whole the whole vanity, and there are some similar ones with LED's that let you change the warmth electronically.
 
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BriiNicholee

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Joined
Dec 6, 2023
Messages
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image.jpgYou can also use this ballast ,couldn’t find any solution to my problem either with the Anchorn web p113u00 so you just cut brown &blue wire from where you insert the light bulb &connect the brown to red &blue to blue to this ballast then tuck black and white in &connect black and white to main electrical wires from wall.!! Hope this helps someone! Fast &easy!
 
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AntonLargiader

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Nov 20, 2016
Messages
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Location
Charlottesville, VA
I also had to revisit my solution (on that same or similar mirror) and I installed one of these as a test:

21 in., 5 Colors, Selectable LED Under Cabinet Light Fixture, 9W, 2700-3000-3500-4000-5000k, 639 Lumens, 90 CRI, 120V, PLT Solutions PLTS-40083 | 1000Bulbs.com

Choose from 5 CCTs with this 21" LED under cabinet fixture by PLT Solutions. Go to 1000Bulbs.com for thousands of energy saving lights for home use and more!
www.1000bulbs.com www.1000bulbs.com

You can adjust the color. It fits but I'm pretty sure new holes were needed. I need to get around to ordering the second one.
 
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