I am trying to find out how to test ballasters for fluorecent lights. I have a few laying around that i need to figure out if they are good or not. thanx
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
There are a number of ways to achieve a level foundation and mudsill.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
In my experince, all uninstalled ballasts are bad.
That sounds flippant, I know, but they've always been like the "mystery keys" you find--sure they are valuable, that's why you saved them; but without knowing what the right lock is, or where that lock is, they're just not much use.
But, that's me, others may differ.
"In my experince, all uninstalled ballasts are bad."ALL?
all uninstalled ballasts are bad.
ALL?
Yea, all of the ones not in their original boxes so you might have the first clue what they're supposed to belong to (or fit).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
"Yea, all of the ones not in their original boxes "So NOW you qulify it.I was going to take your "advance" and buy new fixture becaue ALL of the uninstalled ballest where bad.In fact that got me wonder where the fixture manufacture go ballast from if ALL of the uninstalled where bad <G, D, & R, vvF>
wonder where the fixture manufacture go ballast from
Lowest bidder, of course.
"Testingk? Vee dont du no stinkingk testinks!"
And the topic hit a nerve, or sorts, I know of a fellow who makes ole king Miser look like Carnegie. He's got a barn filled with all sorts of stuff--like balasts that only fitted the salvaged, non-standard fixtures that were in his metal building that was blown into the next county in a tornado 5-6 years ago.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
A method we use in our shop is to cut all the wires on the ballast we remove to less than 3". That way, if any are left laying around the shop, we know to pitch them in the trash (after checking that they labeled as containing "no PCBs"). We change out a couple hundred a year on average, so we also write the install date on new ballast.
Dave
we know to pitch them in the trash
And I know the tight old coot who would send his "ranch hands" (ag employment rules being different for hours & benefits & the like) off to the dump for "valuable stuff" like that. He'd spend $20 to pick up a Canadian dime (and gripe when the vending machine wouldn't take it).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
ROF
We put in compactor dumpsters and had to lock them to keep the local "divers" out of them!
Dave
What's your time worth?
The only reliable test would be to wire them into a light and run them for a few hours. Probably cheaper to buy new ones.
Here I ws looking for a way to test ballusters before buiklding my stair rail
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
lol, me too!
I thought maybe they needed to know about the 200lb newel test.
-zen
me three.
but ... I do know from past experience that my electrician has a quick easy way of telling if they're junk or not ...
if only he was here ... instead of me just telling stories ... huh?
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
One thing you can't tell is whether they were removed for being noisy.