Light questions

[johno4]

My t5 lights wont completely turn on. They light up but not fully. So is my ballast bad or my bulbs?

Thanks,

John

 

[spinoleo]

I would try a new lamp first are they all not coming on or a pair

 

[johno4]

its a pair. I put one of the non working bulbs on the other ballast and it didnt work so I think its the bulbs. I guess I could have tried that before posting. Is it weird that both bulbs go at the same time? They are about 1.5 yrs old.

 

[spinoleo]

The end caps are wired in series so if one lamp goes the other won't fire

 

[NirvanaFan]

The end caps are wired in series so if one lamp goes the other won't fire

Yup. To test the bulbs, you can use a continuity tester (found on most ammeters). Hold the black probe to one pin, and the red probe to the other pin (on the same end of the bulb). If you don't get continuity, the bulb is blown. But, just because you get continuity, it doesn't mean the bulb is fine. Test both ends of each bulb that you question.

Also, if one of the bulbs is black/discolored at the end of the tube, that bulb is probably either dead or on it's way out.

 

[johno4]

thanks guys, one of the bulbs is discolored, of course I tested the other yesterday. I will test the other when I get home. I appreciate the help, hopefully its just the one bulb.