Fluorescent Light Question - light not working - ***SOLVED***

[cmoses]

I am trying to get my fluorescent light in my cabinet working and saw a post in another thread describing how this was done.  In looking at the picture I realized that my light appears to be missing something.  The silver cylinder in the picture below is not present on my light (circled in red).  I am not very familiar with arcade cabinet fluorescent lights, can someone tell me what this part is.  It appears to be replaceable.  I am guessing that it is a fuse or resistor of some sort.  Will a light store carry this piece or where can I get a replacement.  If anyone has a part number that is even better.

Thanks for any assistance.

[HaRuMaN]

Its a ballast

[cmoses]

Thanks, how easy are they to replace, where can I buy them, is there a specific one for this light?

It came out of a Mortal Kombat II cabinet.

[HaRuMaN]

ahh more spefically, it looks like the starter portion of the ballast.  I'm not sure where to get them, I just know what they're called.

[Paladin]

Yea, that's called a 'starter'.  You can buy them at pretty much any hardware store, and they only cost a few bucks.  They have different ones for different bulb wattages.  Make sure you get the one that matches your bulb.

[shardian]

They are at Wal-Mart in a 2 pack for like $1. While at Wally world, you can also get suitable 12v coin door lights in the automotive section.

[Ken Layton]

You are missing the "fluorescent starter". There are indeed different ones for different bulbs. You want an "FS-2" starter. You can buy them in the electrical/lighting/light bulb section of any hardware store. Sometimes you can even find them in the light bulb section of grocery stores and large discount stores like Target and Walmart.

Generally retail establishments sell them in a blister card with two starters inside. Always buy an extra package because starters have been known to be bad right out of the package. Most arcade parts houses like Happ Controls and Competitive Products sell the starters in boxes of 25. That way you can get the price down to about 30 cents each. Most game operators buy them by the box.

[cmoses]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

As always Ken - YOU ARE THE MAN

I will look for the starters at the local hardware store or at Wally World.

Thanks again

[cmoses]

Picked up a FS-2 Starter at Lowes and now the light is working.

Thanks for the assistance.