Flourescent Lamp Problem

[Nipedley]

Okay, hi there.. In one of my american machines I have a 120v flourescent lamp that's never worked while I had it, and I decided its about time I fix it... Now, the tube is good, the ballast is good, and one of the pins in the connections was snapped - problem found.. but now it turns out, my step-dad replaced the starter with one from the garage - 240v, now he maintains his "240v on 120v doesnt matter" thing - but I'm pretty sure that running a 240v device on 120v current is NOT a good idea. As I said, the ballast is 120v.. but the tube is 240v, what voltage does the starter need to be? Is there any way to modify the 240v to work with the 120v mains? And would running the 240v starter send anything up in smoke? Thanks..

[Ken Layton]

If this is an American machine, A.M.O.A./JAMMA standardized cabinets will have a 15 watt "F15T8-CW" (18" long) fluorescent lamp, a 15 watt (120 volt) ballast, and and FS-2 (15 to 20 watt) starter.

The ballast is what controls the voltage/current to the lamp itself. The ballast for this fluorescent actually drops the voltage down to 70 to 90 volts and limits the current flow to prevent the immediate burnout of the lamp. I believe all you need to do in your case is to change the ballast to one designed for 240 volt power input. It should also be for a 15 watt lamp in what's called a "pre-heat" (starter) system.

[Nipedley]

No need to change the ballast - it's working fine, the machine is still running off 120 volts (the machine in question has a transformer inside - you can turn it off, for 120 volts operation, or if you jumper a few wires the transformer starts and will accept 240.) I think that was because Midway didn't want to redesign the entire cabinet for european - american differences, so just threw in a transformer instead =). Either way, the cabinet is running off 120 volts anywhere past the power cable. So the flourescent lamp is 120 volts, but would the starter expecting 240 volts but getting 120 volts cause problems? (I imagine so, but it's always worth asking)

[Ken Layton]

If you have a 15 watt lamp then you MUST use an FS-2 starter. Any other starter sizes won't work properly.

[Nipedley]

Okay, if I get an FS-2, does it also have to be 120 volts, or would a 240 volt one do?
ADD: I have sourced an FS-2, but it is 240 volts. Should I go for this, or import an american FS-2? (I cant find any UK online stores with 120 volt FS-2's..)

[Ken Layton]

An FS-2 starter is the same worldwide. All starters of the same number are the same.

Visit www.fluorescentstarter.com

[Nipedley]

Thank you, Ken! You truly are a life-saver

[RayB]

Thank you, Ken! You truly are a life-saver

Was your life in peril?
 

[Nipedley]

Thank you, Ken! You truly are a life-saver

Was your life in peril?
 

Yes! My shed has no light, without the flourescent lamp its dark.. the boogeyman will get me =(

[Nipedley]

If you have a 15 watt lamp then you MUST use an FS-2 starter. Any other starter sizes won't work properly.

Hmm, still searching for an FS-2, but I have a couple of FS-U's.. it seems to me that they might be compatible, as it does fit, and is 4 - 65watts.. I would try it, but I'm still a bit freaked by the voltages.
You are sure that 120v AC + 120v ballast + 240v starter, with only one tube, is safe?

[Ken Layton]

FS-U is a new product. It's a universal starter for the wattage ranges you mentioned. It should work in your application.

[Nipedley]

Thanks Ken, I'll give it a go tomorow (coming up for 1am now, darn timezones...)