nicksfans
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Down with lamp bans!
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The ones without the capacitor don't lose OCV in my experience. And yes, most of the ones with bad caps will still run one lamp.
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I like my lamps thick, my ballasts heavy, and my fixtures tough.
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Ash
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How complicated it is to disconnect the capacitor in the ballast and tap the "before capacitor" wire to outside ? Can it be done with some minor digging into the tar with a knife, without the big work of melting and repotting it ?
Then you can connect a new capacitor from outside, between the new wire and one of the capcitor side wires (Reds ?)
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nicksfans
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It's probably harder to do on some ballasts than others. Not worth the effort unless you really feel like doing it for whatever reason.
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I like my lamps thick, my ballasts heavy, and my fixtures tough.
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Ash
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Then what about opening the back of the ballast and driving a self tapping screw through the capacitor, to make it into a short circuit ? http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-121294
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hannahs lights
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If you do that it will just keep blowing the line fuse Everytime you switch on
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Ash
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The capacitor in US Rapid Start ballasts is not across the input AC as in UK. It is in series with 2 lamps, if we disregard the heating circuit. If we short the capacitor inside the ballast, we can connect a replacement capacitor outside. Only problem remaining the is how to supply the heating
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M250R201SA
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I'm reading all of these replies, and I just have to ask. Wouldn't it be easier to just replace the ballasts?
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"I know a thing or two about a thing or two... I sure do."
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nicksfans
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Down with lamp bans!
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I like my lamps thick, my ballasts heavy, and my fixtures tough.
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sol
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Well, try cleaning the lamps and channel cover first as it is easier than wiring a new ballast. If that fails (you'll know in a couple of days) then a replacement is in order.
As for fixing a potted ballast, it is possible as there are some members here that have done it however it is quite an undertaking and not something I would do. You can get a NOS rapid start magnetic ballast on eBay or a new electronic ballast for T12 in hardware stores.
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veryhighonoutput
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T12
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I've had similar problems with f96t12HO and a f48t12HO rapid start but it wouldn't come on between 40-50 degrees they had tons of hours and I used on a daily basis it was very weird the ends would glow orange then I'd tap it the f48 would come on but not the f96 I just replaced the ballast and all was good. Your situation sounds like a starter or moisture you should experiment with it and see what it could be?
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T12/ t17 there's a reason they made heavy magnetic ballasts
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M250R201SA
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It tends to happen when the humidity is high outside, which equates to high humidity inside. Cool weather, they work fine.
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"I know a thing or two about a thing or two... I sure do."
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