Fluorescent starter-switch question

[Tegger]

<This question also, previously, posted to alt.home.repair>

I have an older 18" fluorescent lamp that takes a 15WT8 bulb. As of this
morning, it no marcha. I suspect the starter switch, which is your
glass-tube type and is pretty black inside.

The problem is that I can't find any "15w" starter switches at any
location close to me. I can, however, cheaply and easily find a white,
cylindrical starter switch that says, "13w, 30w, 40w" on it.

Can I use this "13w, 30w, 40w" switch with my 15w lamp?

 

[Phil Allison]

"Tegger"

I have an older 18" fluorescent lamp that takes a 15WT8 bulb. As of this
morning, it no marcha. I suspect the starter switch, which is your
glass-tube type and is pretty black inside.

The problem is that I can't find any "15w" starter switches at any
location close to me. I can, however, cheaply and easily find a white,
cylindrical starter switch that says, "13w, 30w, 40w" on it.

Can I use this "13w, 30w, 40w" switch with my 15w lamp?

** Most single tube starters are " Universal " ie 4-65W or 4-80W units.



.... Phil

 

[Tegger]

"Tegger"


** Most single tube starters are " Universal " ie 4-65W or 4-80W units.

Thank you.

But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and-
lower range of wattages?

 

[Phil Allison]

"Tegger"

"Phil Allison"

Thank you.

But why the listing of three discrete wattages, rather than an upper-and-
lower range of wattages?

** Marketing reasons.



.... Phil

 

[Tegger]

"Tegger"

** Marketing reasons.

So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture?

 

[Phil Allison]

"Tegger"

"Phil Allison"

So I can safely use this multi-rated starter for my 15w fixture?

** Been using " 4-80 W " starters on my 15W desk lamp for decades.



.... Phil

 

[Tegger]

See - we treat you just as nice here as on alt home repair.

Appreciate that.

Last time I posted here was many years ago, in relation to a microwave
oven. I was roundly scolded by somebody named "Sam Goldwasser", evidently
because I had posted an ignorant question.

 

[Tegger]

"Tegger"


** Been using " 4-80 W " starters on my 15W desk lamp for decades.



... Phil

An update: It turns out that the failure was almost certainly /not/ due to
the starter, so it's a good thing I didn't blow $4 on a new one. I removed
the starter from the fixture for testing purposes, leaving bare wire-ends
on the bypass circuit.

I tried three bulbs, two brand-new. Plus I tested the tubes' filaments for
continuity. All tested good, and all worked in another fixture.

I also tested for continuity within the fixture where it seemed logical to
see it. I assumed I'd find an open through the ballast, which I did find.

But I guessed that when the ballast was fed with (a measured) 123VAC, I'd
see something similar across the wires where the starter was, but all I
found was 2.5VAC. That appears to be not enough to strike a spark, and no
spark was had, no matter how slowly I brought the wires together.

My guess now is that the ballast is bad. In any case, I went to Walmart and
bought a near dead-ringer of my old GE unit for a whopping $13. So this
matter is done. Thanks, Phil.