[mikeh32]

I have a beer sign I am trying to fix for my brother.

When I turn it on, only the outside of the bulb lights up dimly, not the rest of the bulb.

Now, if i wiggle the bulb, one of the poles on the bulb will slightly spark and then the bulb lights up. I keep that little pole off the contacts on the connector.

From what I can tell, when that pole makes contact again with the socket, the bulb goes back to the outside only lighting up.

Also, if i turn it off when the bulb is fully lit, and turn it back on... No light at all on the bulb.

Any ideas how to fix this?

I am a C-card, and never work on these things.

 

[papaotis]

try getting the socket to make better contact with the 'lamp' by bending the little metal tabs they contact.

 

[sbrn33]

How old is this baby?

 

[HARRY304E]

I have a beer sign I am trying to fix for my brother.

When I turn it on, only the outside of the bulb lights up dimly, not the rest of the bulb.

Now, if i wiggle the bulb, one of the poles on the bulb will slightly spark and then the bulb lights up. I keep that little pole off the contacts on the connector.

From what I can tell, when that pole makes contact again with the socket, the bulb goes back to the outside only lighting up.

Also, if i turn it off when the bulb is fully lit, and turn it back on... No light at all on the bulb.

Any ideas how to fix this?

I am a C-card, and never work on these things.

Are you saying that you installed new lamps and the ends of the lamps are lit up but the middle of the lamps are very dim?

 

[mikeh32]

one moment, going to take many pics

 

[papaotis]

harry, thats not what he said, but maybe what he meant. i see where your going with this, though

 

[mikeh32]

 

[HARRY304E]

View attachment 32551



View attachment 32552



View attachment 32553



View attachment 32554

Okay that's a brand new lamp,leave it on and let the middle fill in , it takes anywhere for a few minutes to an hour depending on how cold it is.

Is that outside?

 

[mikeh32]

I left it on for some time, and it wont light up.

It is 72 degrees inside.

The only way I can get it to light up, is to cause one of the pins on the bulb to loose contact with the socket.

Then I can hear the ballast or what ever the driver is kick on and the bulb lights up.

The pin that it looses contact is also the one with that little black thing on it that is under shrink wrap. Is this a diode of some sort?

 

[papaotis]

get that socket on the right anchored properly, if it is a new lamp let it burn in after you get that socket straightened out

 

[HARRY304E]

I left it on for some time, and it wont light up.

It is 72 degrees inside.

The only way I can get it to light up, is to cause one of the pins on the bulb to loose contact with the socket.

Then I can hear the ballast or what ever the driver is kick on and the bulb lights up.

The pin that it looses contact is also the one with that little black thing on it that is under shrink wrap. Is this a diode of some sort?

That looks like a reactance ballast and the black thing must be the starter.

What does the label on the lamp say.?

 

[mikeh32]

What the hell is this thing?

It looks like it might be blown

It was under the heat shrink

 

[guest]

This is a standard, "pre-heat" start fixture. The thing under the heatshrink in this pic:

Is the guts of a standard f-lamp starter. Go to big orange and grab these:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Fluorescent-Starter-FS-2-2-Pack-54388/203728383#

and then cut the heat-shrinked piece out of your light. Solder one end of the cut wire to one of the terminals on the base of the starter, the other cut end to the other terminal (or pick up a socket for the starter, like these: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/fluorescent-light-starter )
and you'll be good as new. :thumbup:

 

[guest]

What the hell is this thing?

It looks like it might be blown

It was under the heat shrink

See post#13 and yes it is blown out and shorted. :thumbup:

 

[mikeh32]

thanks guys!

I kind of figured that this was the issue because the wire is also on the pin that i would cause it to loose connection to .

 

[mikeh32]

so, the wire with this starter should not be going to the other socket?

Let me take a big pic of it

 

[guest]

So check out my links to guide you to the right parts and you'll be good to go.

 

[HARRY304E]

so, the wire with this starter should not be going to the other socket?

Let me take a big pic of it

Nope just one of them.

 

[guest]

so, the wire with this starter should not be going to the other socket?

Let me take a big pic of it

Nope just one of them.

No, no NO!! It is wired correctly as -is...just cut out the piece in the heatshrink and wire it as I mentioned in #13.

One wire from each side of the starter goes to one side of EACH socket, just as it is now.

 

[mikeh32]

perfect! Looks like the big box does not have it in stock, so I am going to go to another store and see if i can find it.

THanks again!

Ill post up when it is working