I Have To Light My T5's By Hand!

zeusfc · #1 05/01/2007, 03:18 PM

Yes this really is true, let me explain...

When the timer trips, and the lights are meant to come on, they don't actually trip, but simply sit dimly flickering!
When I run my hand along them as if i'm er, let's say removed then the tubes immediately burst into life!

the set-up is an Interpet, 2 x 55wt T5, the starter matched=s the tubes, and I'm running 50/50 tubes

Which is on the blink? tubes or starter? the tubes are 9months old, the starter is 18months old.

Normally, I'd just buy new tubes, but since moving to Cyprus, I now will have to have these brought over by a relative, and if the Starter is on the blink, then it's not worth the wait (or weight!)

dannieboiz · #2 05/01/2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zeusfc
Yes this really is true, let me explain...

When the timer trips, and the lights are meant to come on, they don't actually trip, but simply sit dimly flickering!
When I run my hand along them as if i'm er, let's say removedthen the tubes immediately burst into life!

removed

BurntOutReefer · #3 05/01/2007, 04:40 PM

how long do they sit dim?

hahnmeister · #4 05/01/2007, 04:41 PM

Check the specs on your timer. There are many timers that are not compatible with induction devices like tube ballasts and HID ballasts. It can cause them to burn down your house. You have to find a timer that is compatible with fluorescent ballasts.

mhurley · #5 05/01/2007, 09:40 PM

Ok folks...family friendly, remember?

zeusfc · #6 05/01/2007, 11:57 PM

sorry guys... that would have been OK in my UK forum!

"I have to close my hand around the tube lightly, and run it from one end to the other, in order to get the tube to light"

the tubes will sit dim until I do this. As the timer has been working for YEARS with fluorescents, and still functions, I really don't think it's that; I
t's a 3000wt "Smiths" timer, (they're the ones with the little pegs that you move to set the time)

Any ideas?

Zephrant · #7 05/02/2007, 12:47 AM

That means you don't have a good ground plane near the tubes. By design, the tubes need a grounded plane near them to fire properly. Normally that is the steel fixture.

I've gotten away with having them close to the water, and using a ground probe too.

Zeph

zeusfc · #8 05/02/2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zephrant
That means you don't have a good ground plane near the tubes. By design, the tubes need a grounded plane near them to fire properly. Normally that is the steel fixture.

Zeph

sorry Zeph, 'don't understand... this is a shop bought unit , not something I've stuck together myself!

It's worked up until a week or two ago, then stopped !

And today they worked normally;

What's going on?

hahnmeister · #9 05/02/2007, 04:32 PM

Bad ballasts?

Daemonfly · #10 05/02/2007, 11:32 PM

Also, check all your connections for corrosion, etc... Can easily be done first without having to resort to replacing ballast/starter/timer/bulbs.

Zephrant · #11 05/03/2007, 12:38 AM

Yep, could be corrosion then. If you have a multi-meter, unplug the unit and check continuity between the ground pin on the plug, and the reflector.

Not having both wires making good connection on the end tubes can prevent a proper ignite too.

Zeph