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From: djwalden@isi.edu (David Walden)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Fluorescent tube help
Message-ID: <11676@venera.isi.edu>
Date: 31 Jan 90 21:00:17 GMT
Sender: news@venera.isi.edu
Reply-To: djwalden@gum.isi.edu (David Walden)
Organization: USC-Information Sciences Institute
Lines: 24


 jmasters@fmdgr1.intel.com (Justin Masters ~) writes:

> None of the [fluorescent] lights lit up.  There was a small glowing at
>the ends of some of the tubes.  I tried tapping on them, and on the black box
>in the lights, and nothing happened.  I gave up and went back to my newspaper
>in the living room.  About 10 minutes later the lights came on by themselves


	   This behavior is typical of aged fluorescent tubes.  They
	don't just stop like an incandescent bulb, they get hard to
	ignite.  It may be excacerbated by an old ballast coil, but
	try just replacing the tubes, first.

	   While you're at it, try a different type of pigment formulation.
	Try Cool White Deluxe.  It costs a little more than the ubiquitous
	Cool White, but it has a broader spectrum with more output at
	the red end, and people look better under it.  Or try Chroma 50
	by GE.  It is also broad spectrum (matching indirect skylight)
	and plants love it, too.


				Dave Walden
				djwalden@isi.edu