Flashing Flourescent Light

[#1]

Our kitchen is lit by a 6ft  ( 1830 mm ) Flourescent Light fitting.  it`s been ok for the past 7 years, at least,.. ( may have been working longer before we arrived ).  Last night I switched it on as usual, but all it does is flash on and off repeatedly... I have tried to remove the starter unit, but cannot get a proper grip on it, to twist it,... Maybe use my "pipe grippers" when I can get to the shed ( snowed in !)..

Wondering if it may be the tube that has gone , or would it be the starter misfiring ?

Looking at the B&Q site they show several different wattage tubes,... but NONE of them have the lenght measurement under the descriptions ! ! !... Weird or what  ? 

Any suggestions which bit may be faulty ? 

I could buy a replacement unit complete,  but don`t really want the hassle of trying to fit it ! 

[#2]

Its usually the starter or the lamp, if you can get a cloth or something to help you get a bit more grip on the starter, turn it anti-clockwise and it should pull out, if the lamp comes on then it`s the starter. (that's if you remove it when the light is flashing) 

[#3]

As it's located in the kitchen it seems you've managed to get flour in your fluorescent tube. 

Forgot to mention, maybe the problem is temperature related due to the cold weather?

[#4]

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@shutter wrote:

Looking at the B&Q site they show several different wattage tubes,... but NONE of them have the lenght measurement under the descriptions ! ! !... Weird or what  ? 

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This may help you decode the length of the tubes on offer.

[#5]

Have a look at this @shutter 

You'll notice that whilst some mention length, they all mention power which you'll be able to determine when you can remove the existing one.

[#6]

@Browni B&Q is 1.9 miles from where I live... so I think Amazon in South Wales is a long way to go to take the old one for comparison ! ! !! ... ( thanks anyway   )

@RobPN  OK.... thanks for that information.... Pity that the company selling the items can`t put it on their site...  from what is writ on the Wiki site, it seems I need a T8  6ft 70W tube... so... just to be on the safe side... tomorrow morning.. I`ll try to get th old tube out, and take it round the cornere to B&Q and let them sell me the right one ! ! .

cheers guys

[#7]

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@RobPN wrote:

Forgot to mention, maybe the problem is temperature related due to the cold weather?

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The old tubes don't seem to like cold and damp. The one in my shed often had flickering problems. I eventually gave up on that and replaced it with a couple of the small standard bayonet fluorescent bulbs.

I still have the one in my kitchen. Some winters it can be sometimes heard buzzing when switched off. Hasn't done it this year as I replaced the tube and starter in summer. Though that could be down to it being more cold and dry rather than cold and damp this winter here.

[#8]

You may well find replacement tubes are much slimmer than old, but will still fit in the lampholder sockets.

This link may be of use:_

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/tcl/search?query=fluorescent+tubes&Submit=Search

[#9]

I've replaced several of ours with an LED unit - brighter light and no flickering AND cheaper to run.  E.G. LED-Direct-Replacement-Fluorescent

[#10]

I have also swapped all mine for LED. You change both the starter and tube, you should find a 'starter' (for LED tubes it shorts the two pins) packaged with the tube. These are instant start and lower power with no loss of illumination.

[#11]

Thanks for the input guys !.

@billnotben& @RobPN  Cold and damp not in this kitchen... its at same temp as the rest of house... ( around 18c ) ...

@Gel Thanks for the linky... yes, I think I have seen the thinner onese, and used them before.

@MauriceC Interesting..  however, the price is twice as much as a "standard" T8 replacement... and the actual time on usage per day would be about 30 minutes  so the "savings" on running costs would not be recouped before I die.... !   ( or moved house, whichever comes first ! ! ! ! )..

Point of interest....  Missus went into the kitchen just after my previous posting... and hey presto... it`s working normally again...

Amazing how you guys keep things within the PN logo/motto   "We`ll do you proud"  ! ! 

Thanks for all the input...     case closed methinks ! ! ! 

[#12]

6ft T8 replacement, decide colour,  Warm White, White, Daylight...... decisions....

new tube could be thinner than present but will still fit fitting,  Also suggest popping a replacement starter .  

[#13]

I fitted an LED tube in the kitchen, instant on, no flickering, no warming up, just light on demand, well worth the money given a lot of LED tubes now are at the same price as equivalent sized fluoro tubes...

[#14]

Update !.... managed to remove the starter with a pair of pliers ! ! ... went to b&q ... got  a pair..  (£3.00 )  .( you can`t buy one ! ! )... put one in..... no difference... so back to b&q   new 6ft tube  £12.00 a bit of faffing about, cos I couldn`t quite see the far end connector due to varifocal specs ! ! !.. to make sure the pins were lined up with the slot... but now all back together and working ...

cheers fellers !.