Trouble-Shooting 2x18W Flourescent setup

[Cheesenbranston]

I agreed to take a look at shop sign for a shopkeeper friend. The fitting apparently stopped working form one day to the next. I have checked the following.

1) 240V getting to the fitting.
2) Both starters work fine in another fitting
3) Buzzed all the way round wiring loop with tubes/starters out, and no discontinuities.
4) Owner has bought new tubes

When nothing worked after all these tests, I recommended he pick up a replacement ballast. The original ballast was model; Tridonic ATCO EC 36 A502K. These are discontinued, so the local supplier recommended an alternative which I have fitted.

I'm wondering now if it's possible the tubes, may be a different spec. I'm assuming the recommendation of the ballast is correct, and that the ballast wasn't faulty when it arrived. Are there any addtional tests I can do on the circuit with prety standard multi-meter?

Hoping someone can give some more pointers to help with this.

 

[mayfair]

1 ....Tell the shopkeeper to call in an Electrician ....Maybe
2 .... Assume nothing

 

[7029 dave]

For all you have done, might have been quicker, easier, cheaper to replace fittings.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Swap both tube and starter from a working fitting and vice versa if known good combination still doesn't work (assuming 230 volts at fitting) then dead test for continuity on all components i.e. live to ballast in/out, to starter in/out to near end cap in/out to far end cap in/out then to neutral. If all present and correct **** it and buy a new one!

 

[shanky887614]

Swap both tube and starter from a working fitting and vice versa if known good combination still doesn't work (assuming 230 volts at fitting) then dead test for continuity on all components i.e. live to ballast in/out, to starter in/out to near end cap in/out to far end cap in/out then to neutral. If all present and correct **** it and buy a new one!

if you do swap the fitting, an led panel would be a better choice, ledhut stock them and im sure your preferred wholesaler could get you them as well

 

[tom262]

I've had the same problem before turned out to be the rubbish spring loaded connections holding the starter, I would just replace the fitting, you can't polish a turd.

 

[guest119]

Sounds like you need series starters.

Boydy

 

[guest119]

Starters | Fluorescent lamps | OSRAM

 

[UNG]

Sounds like you need series starters.

Boydy

My thought as well

 

[ayjay]

the ballast probably cost more than the whole thing if it is a ballast tubes too

 

[Cheesenbranston]

Sounds like you need series starters.

Boydy

Thanks Boydy, I'll give that a look before trying anything else. Was considering looking at an LED replacement, probably better in the long run.

Thanks to all others for suggestions too.

 

[Cheesenbranston]

Just to follow up, it was the starters as suggested by Boydy. Have suggested the LED route if he has problems again. Thanks again.