What to do when the fluorescent light starts buzzing? - Aquarium Advice

mobiusnu · 04-16-2006, 07:44 PM

I have a fluorescent strip light that recently started buzzing. It's my understanding that's a problem with the ballast. Is there any way to replace the ballast in fluorescent strip lights?

Thanks.

Edit -- Would something like this fix the problem? http://tinyurl.com/g7oor

What I've tried so far: I switched the bulb from the noisy light with a bulb from a quiet light. That didn't fix the problem. I switched the starter from a quiet light to the noisy light. That didn't do anything either.

greenmaji · 04-16-2006, 10:08 PM

yes.. you need a new ballast.
yes.. the link, that's a replacement (looks to be an old style magnetic replacement ballast)

Is the bulb flickering yet? Sometimes the old magnitic ballasts will make the buzzing noise long before they go bad. I would suggest looking for a electronic replacment ballast.

and before you ask me what to look for in a replacement electronic ballast I would need to know what bulb type (size), length, and the number of bulbs that are in your fixture.

the electronic ballasts are labled like this [#-F##T#(#)] number of bulbs-F(wattage of the largest set of bulbs the ballast will work with)T(the size of the bulbs in diamiter in eighth's of an inch (T-8 being one inch diamiter bulbs T12 being one and onehalf inch diamiter bulbs)
example.. a ballast made to drive two one inch diamiter four foot length maximum bulbs looks like this 2-F32T8

mobiusnu · 04-16-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenmaji

and before you ask me what to look for in a replacement electronic ballast I would need to know what bulb type (size), length, and the number of bulbs that are in your fixture.

It's a 24" fixture with 1 18" T-8 bulb. The bulb in it is a 15 watt bulb. But I have another tank with a similar light strip that has an 18 watt bulb, so I'd probably want to be able to use an 18 watt bulb if I need to.

greenmaji · 04-16-2006, 10:22 PM

the electronic ballasts are used for 12" to 48" bulbs.. you would be looking for a 1-F32T8 ballast

they might not bother putting the 1 in front..

your local lighting department (hardware store or what have you) might have one of these in stock

greenmaji · 04-16-2006, 10:29 PM

btw. the ballasts sences the load needed to fire the bulb is why its compatable with 12-48" lamps.

mobiusnu · 04-17-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenmaji

yes.. you need a new ballast.
yes.. the link, that's a replacement (looks to be an old style magnetic replacement ballast)

How do you tell whether it's magnetic if it doesn't say?

greenmaji · 04-17-2006, 05:23 AM

The seperate starter (electronic ballasts have the starting circtry inside the ballast).. the shipping weight is also a dead giveaway (magnitic ballasts are MUCH heavier, my electronic ballasts are in the ounces in weight and there rated four bulbs)..

Home Depot or Lowes should have what I suggested above..
If you want to just see what one is suppose to look like.. here is a link..
http://www.servicelighting.com/catal...m?prod=MG19981

04-16-2006, 07:44 PM	#1
mobiusnu Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 120	What to do when the fluorescent light starts buzzing? I have a fluorescent strip light that recently started buzzing. It's my understanding that's a problem with the ballast. Is there any way to replace the ballast in fluorescent strip lights? Thanks. Edit -- Would something like this fix the problem? http://tinyurl.com/g7oor What I've tried so far: I switched the bulb from the noisy light with a bulb from a quiet light. That didn't fix the problem. I switched the starter from a quiet light to the noisy light. That didn't do anything either.

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04-16-2006, 10:08 PM	#2
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	yes.. you need a new ballast. yes.. the link, that's a replacement (looks to be an old style magnetic replacement ballast) Is the bulb flickering yet? Sometimes the old magnitic ballasts will make the buzzing noise long before they go bad. I would suggest looking for a electronic replacment ballast. and before you ask me what to look for in a replacement electronic ballast I would need to know what bulb type (size), length, and the number of bulbs that are in your fixture. the electronic ballasts are labled like this [#-F##T#(#)] number of bulbs-F(wattage of the largest set of bulbs the ballast will work with)T(the size of the bulbs in diamiter in eighth's of an inch (T-8 being one inch diamiter bulbs T12 being one and onehalf inch diamiter bulbs) example.. a ballast made to drive two one inch diamiter four foot length maximum bulbs looks like this 2-F32T8

04-16-2006, 10:22 PM	#4
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	the electronic ballasts are used for 12" to 48" bulbs.. you would be looking for a 1-F32T8 ballast they might not bother putting the 1 in front.. your local lighting department (hardware store or what have you) might have one of these in stock

04-16-2006, 10:29 PM	#5
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	btw. the ballasts sences the load needed to fire the bulb is why its compatable with 12-48" lamps.

04-17-2006, 05:23 AM	#7
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	The seperate starter (electronic ballasts have the starting circtry inside the ballast).. the shipping weight is also a dead giveaway (magnitic ballasts are MUCH heavier, my electronic ballasts are in the ounces in weight and there rated four bulbs).. Home Depot or Lowes should have what I suggested above.. If you want to just see what one is suppose to look like.. here is a link.. http://www.servicelighting.com/catal...m?prod=MG19981