How To Replace your Fluorescent Light Ballast EASILY!
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2024
- Replacing a Fluorescent Light Ballast is not as hard as it seems. Its very simple and easy to do with minimal tools!
#electrician #fluorescentlightballast #handyman
My Uncle had a patch on one eye and when he would finish showing us how to do something he would say "You should be able to do it in half the time since you have two eyes!" He was a great man and would be proud of this video you produced! Thank you.
That is an awesome story, matey - thank you for sharing!
😂😂😂
Was your uncles' favorite letter in the alphabet, RRRRR...
Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I'm sure your uncle was a great man.
@@tonyas1726 I liked it!
This was very helpful. Thanks! And when I dropped a screw on the floor, I remembered you saying, "we always have to drop something on the floor!" And I smiled instead of getting annoyed about it.
Why thank ye, lass! Glad you found this helpful, and happy we could could bring a smile!
You must kill the breaker, or it will kill you. 👏
Glad to still have you around, Mr. Tim!
Aye, good point, matey! And glad to still be around!
I didn't realize mick foley was such a handyman, thank you.
LOL!
Just chiming in - I needed to change my closet lights and the ballast was bad. Your tutorial got me through it. I really appreciate you!
Aye, thank you matey, ye can do it - smooth sailin'!
Arrr, I be in the same johnboat, matey. I hope my journey goes as well as yours!
I’ve needed to replace the ballast now for a little while and watched your video just to refresh thank you. Love the speaking French and calling it Spanish 😂! Good video
Aye, lass, it be good to know foreign languages. Glad you liked the video!
Hey, thanks so much for this video. This was way easier than I thought it would be thanks to your tutorial.
Ye be most welcome, matey - glad it helped! Smooth sailin'!
This is a very informative and helpful video!! I was extremely intimidated when I saw the ballast. now I think I have the confidence to pull this task off!! Thanks!!
Aye, matey, ye can do it - smooth sailin'!
I super appreciate this video because I just needed to know how to get the fluorescent light housing kit open. thanks for showing all the details because it allowed me to go up to the part of my similar project that I needed.
Aye, matey, glad it was helpful - smooth sailin'!
Great Job! Easy to understand for beginner but also some advanced tricks of the trade. Thanks for your time and sharing your knowledge.
Aye, matey, thank ye for your kind words. Glad it helped - smooth sailin'!
Who lives in a pineapple under the Sea?... The Ballasts in our kitchen finally "Walked the plank" after 20 years! They certainly served their purpose. Thank you for the great video. May the "Wind be in your sails" my friend. Doing it myself saved me some Doubloons. 🌞
Aye, matey, savin' coin be the goal! Thank ye for the kind words - smooth sailin'!
Thank you. We have a kitchen light out bought new light but they don't work. I didn't want to pay someone money when I knew I could figure it out myself. Thanks for the tips have a great day my Friend
Exactly my scenario, how did it go?
@JackMeyHoffer562 went as planned. Thanks again. I'll watch and like more of your content.
Glad it worked, matey - smooth sailin'!
Thank you for this video! Super helpful!
Glad it helped, matey - smooth sailin'!
Thanks. I just had to replace the bulb and you helped me.
Aye, lass, glad it helped - smooth sailin'!
"And drop that on the floor..." story of my life, brotha! Thanks for the help.
Aye, matey, it be a fact of life! Smooth sailin'!
Excellent instructions! I was lucky and the light was horizontal on the wall above the bathroom mirror. Disconnect the hot and neutral wires, pull two screws holding the light fixture to the wall, and I was able to take the fixture out to my den and change out the ballast on an old TV tray. Reversed the process, turned on the breaker, and I have light again in my bathroom, the first time in a week. BTW, the light had been flickering for a few days. I shut down the light with the switch, and when I turned it on again, there was a noise like a gunshot and the smell of overheated electrical components, at which time i turned off the breaker. So a ballast can go quietly, but sometimes it goes out with a bang!
Aye, matey, that was definitely a surprise! Thanks for relating your experience.
Really glad to have found this channel
Glad you found us, too, matey!
Thank you for the video! Very helpful!
Aye, matey, ye be most welcome!
Awesome video. Changed my Ballist with ease after watching your video 👌🏽✅
Glad ye found this helpful, matey - smooth sailin'!
Great video. My bulbs stopped working today. I hope it is just the bulbs but feel after your great explaination I can handle the job if it is the ballast. I hope it is just bulbs though. I know like you I will drop something on the floor because I usually do. I was glad to learn I am not alone. Thanks so much for the video.
Aye, lass, ye CAN do it! I hope it's just the bulbs, too. Thank ye for your kind words, and smooth sailin'!
Hey there, thank you for your very detailed and instructional video.
I have to install a couple ballasts tomorrow at my job and have never installed one before
Ill subscribe and check out more of your videos
Aye, matey, thank ye for your kind words - glad this helped! Smooth sailin'!
Hey Pirate-this is the video I needed - love the step-by-step. ! Light is back working down in the workshop. Keep the videos coming!
Aye, matey, ye can do it - smooth sailin'!
Brother, this was a fantastic tutorial!! Thank you
Ye be most welcome, matey, and thank ye for the kind words. Smooth sailin'!
Great video, Thank you!!
Glad it helped, matey - smooth sailin'!
Thanks for posting. Explained a mystery.
Glad it helped, matey - smooth sailin'!
Best video, thank you brotha !!
Aye, matey, ye be most welcome!
“And drop that on the floor…”. Laughed at that - so true!
Aye, matey - it happens a lot!
Yarrr! U just saved me a ton of wasted ton and money mate! Thank U :)
Aye, matey, savin' coin be the goal!
Thanks Perfect example!
Thank YOU, matey!
Thanks! Saved me some bucks!
Aye, matey, that be the goal - smooth sailin'!
You're awesome.
Thanks.
Thank you matey - appreciation and respect to ye!
Excellent information thank you
Ye be most welcome, matey - glad it helped!
Thanks for the vid!
Aye, glad ye liked it!
Thank You so much!!!
Ye be very welcome, matey - smooth sailin'!
Very well presented overall...but I agree with an earlier commenter's sentiment, it would have been a good idea to mention shutting off the circuit breaker to the light fixture earlier, before you start monkeying with the wires inside. It would also be useful to show how to use a non-contact voltage tester to insure the circuit is actually off. If someone doesn't know which breaker the fixture is on, and nothing else is on that breaker, they will have no other way of safely telling if the power has been shut off.
Thank ye for the tip, matey!
Thank you so much! This isn't as hard as I think!!!
Aye, matey, ye be most welcome - smooth sailin'!
Thanks so much man your explanation is very simple and i got the idea
Very happy to hear that, matey. Thank you!
I love it step by step, Thank you
Glad it helped, matey - thanks!
Thanks a million! Saved me $400 or so.
Aye, matey, ye be most welcome - that's why we be doing this!
Thank you
Ye be most welcome, matey - smooth sailin'!
Great video, perhaps you can do a video on replacement & installation attic stairs.
Aye, matey, great suggestion - I'll that that on the list!
thanks very helpful
Aye, matey, thank ye - smooth sailin'!
Thank you!
Ye be most welcome, matey!
Excellent video
Thankee, lass - smooth sailin'!
Thank you brotherman~~
Ye be most welcome, matey - smooth sailin'!
Getting there...self made uv cure light with tripod mount.
G24q connection mounted on & a socket adapter for a E26 fluorescent bulb.
Wow - ye be talented, matey!
Great video
Thank you, matey!
very usefull Thanks
Glad you found it useful, matey - smooth sailin'!
Thanks
Ye be most welcome, matey!
If Mick Foley was an electrician. This is awesome.
LOL!
Thanks for the video. It really helped. The nuts had electrical tape on it when I took them off though. I just put them back on without it. Is electrical tape really required though?
Nay, matey, the wire nuts be sufficient. Glad the video helped - smooth sailin'!
Good video. What size caps "nuts" are you using?
Small, but not super small.
Thanks for this video. I am trying to do some simple general maintenance at my job and these videos are a big help.
However, I have one question. There seems to be two blue wires on these things. How will I know which blue wire from the fixtures to connect to what blue wire the ballast?
There is a wiring diagram on the ballast which should show you.
Same problem here 2 blues and won’t work with either pluged in
@@thepiratehandyman2225 Neither diagram nor any other instructions specify show what wire go to what wire. Basically it doesn't matter which red go to which red, as long as it the same color it should work. I think.
Nice video!
Does it matter which blue wire on the ballast goes to which blue wire on the fixture? Same for yellow and red wires...does it matter?
Check the wiring diagram on the new ballast. That should tell you.
'et voila' we say that in .. France :-)
Aye, matey, thank ye for viewing from so far away!
Thanks for this! Does it matter which blue wire goes to another or each blue wire has to be hooked up to a certain blue wire?
Aye, matey, just make sure you follow the wiring diagram on the new ballast. If it doesn't specify exactly which blue wire goes to a another specific blue wire, then it shouldn't matter. Smooth sailin'!
Got a T5 fixture in my bathroom mirror that's been bad for almost a decade now. Finally decided to buy myself a new ballast and gonna give it a go when it comes time to changing. Dang shops in Switzerland sure don't make it easy to find the right one though. Also didn't help that the SIS214A that came with the unit doesn't have replacements on the market available for purchase, so had to go with a Philips HF-P 2 14-35 TL5 HE III 220-240V - knowing that my unit is a 2x14W T5 fixture which takes HE 14W/840 bulbs.
First tried replacing the Philips T5 bulbs when they both stopped working simultaneously, but I guess I didn't even need to do that because what are the chances both would burn out simultaneously? 😂
Aye, matey, 'tis rare for both to die at the same time. Let me know how it goes - smooth sailin'!
@@thepiratehandyman2225 glad to say the switch went well and it’s now working 😃
Is there an order to the blue to blues and red to reds or can you just place any of them together?
Aye, matey, generally it's red to red, blue to blue, etc. The wiring diagram should be on the new ballast, wish will tell you.
I have a flourescent light in my garage that doesn’t like to work when it rains but does when it’s dry. Do you think changing the ballast will fix this?
I would definitely call an electrician. I've never heard of something like this caused by a ballast. It sounds more like a wiring issue, and a fire risk.
I have one tip from an electrician might wanna mention turning your switch off and or breaker 😂 nvm I was too early to judge
Thanks for watching - I appreciate hearing from professionals!
Can you do a huge favor? Can you show us / me how to replace a bathroom ceiling fan vent! I had a guy leave me hanging he started and never completed the job. It's literally hanging I stuffed it back up until I can fix it myself.
I'm pretty sure I can do it.
I know you can walk me through it.
Thank you ! ❤️
Aye, matey, we will put this on the schedule, and I will inform ye when it be published. Thank ye for the suggestion!
Can I take out a fluorescent light and switch? It was something more modern. This is in a kitchen in a mobile home we bought. There is a sign on the light that I took out that says use P type only does that mean to put something different and I need to change wires
Hmmm, that be a good question, matey. It could have something to do with wiring code for mobile homes. I would check with a local electrician or the local building inspector.
What if this is in a office setting can i just turn the light switch off and replace the ballast or will I need to completely turn off the power via breaker
Aye, matey, I prefer to turn off the breaker for safety reasons.
Love this video bro.....just one thing for safety. Make sure people know to shut off the light switch and main breaker first so they don't get shocked!!! Because what if its not actually a bad ballast and energy is still flowing into it when they try to handle the wires....just saying.....
Aye, matey, good point - thanks for the suggestion!
@@thepiratehandyman2225 No problem bro. I myself have made a few dumb choices in the past and got my ass zapped!! I know first hand it sucks like hell when it happens...lmao...Your installation video was great though brother!!! Now walk the plank me matey!!! LOL....
Awsome brrooo!
Thankee, matey!
Lifespan of ballast 30 years for classic magnetic version (with starter) but only 10 years for electronic
Thank ye for the info, matey!
Made me laugh with “and then we drop that on the floor”
Aye, matey, just keepin' it real!
We have several lights that are behind opaque plastic in the kitchen. Some of the lights come on and off, and some of them are dim. I’ve tried replacing the bulbs and there’s still an issue.
Can a bad ballast cause lights to be dim or intermittent? I’ve pulled the removable opaque plastic away and I’ve tried turning the bulbs and they come on. If I turn the light off and wait an hour and turn it back on, it doesn’t light again or it’s dim. Is that typically a bad ballast something else?
Aye, matey, those be symptoms of a bad ballast.
which numbers on the ballast am I supposed to match up? The old one has model number, volts, amps, lamp type, hertz, ocv?, and it has a manufacture code. The new one for sale has a lower OCV and slightly 0.1 higher amps. The new one wires in parallel, the old one is series so it only had two wires.
Aye, lass, it can be confusing. The number is usually in a large yellow box. The best thing to do is take a picture of the numbers, including voltage and amperage information and take it to your local hardware store or parts store, show them the oictures, and they can help you select the proper replacement.
Hey I can't disconnect the power by flipping the breaker I work in a office building first time maintenance guy here if I just flip the light switch off will that still kill the power without risk of electricity killing me?
There has to be a breaker somewhere. Personally, I would not want to risk trusting the light switch. Keep searching for the breaker, matey!
Sorry if this question has an obvious answer, but when you are reconnecting the wires (red to red, blue to blue, etc.) does it matter which red from the ballast goes to which red from the fixture? Or do they just need to be any of the same colour?
The wiring diagram on the new ballast should show you exactly how to wire it up. If it's not clear, go back to where you purchased the unit, and have them show you.
The wiring diagram on the new ballast should show you exactly how to wire it up. If it's not clear, go back to where you purchased the unit, and have them show you.
@@thepiratehandyman2225 Thank you!
Q: What if the wire from the original ballast run continuously (no connectors) from the ballast to the end of the bulb housing / fixture? Cut them, connect them per the video?
Nay, ye should be able to detach the wire from the bulb receptacle without cutting it, and put the new wire back into the receptacle clip.
Thank I wouldve forgotten to drop something on the floor! LoL
Aye, for me, it's just natural - smooth sailin'!
I got a light for free that didn't come with a ballast, so I need to buy one. But is there anything I need to know bf I go out and buy one? I hv no wiring diagrams or nothin!! Will the info on the light such as the brand and part number help? Thx.
Aye, matey, write down the brand, part number, and part number of the bulb. Take this to your local hardware store or lighting store, and they should be able to give you the correct ballast. The wiring diagram should be on the new ballast.
Vee-Oh-La Pirate Handy man 👍😁
Aye, lass, thank ye for the kind comment - smooth sailin'!
Very excellent video and helpful, but the question to be raised is it necessary to switch off the power from the circuit breaker because I changed the ballast after I switched off the light switch, followed by circuit tester to confirm there's no power?
Aye, if ye confirmed there was no power, theen ye should be okay. However, sometimes the switch may be wired so that one side is still "hot" and if you touch the hot wire while another part of your body is grounded, then your body completes the circuit and ye be in for a shock! I prefer just being safe and turning off the circuit breaker.
@thepiratehandyman2225 many thanks sir
Ye be most welcome, matey!
Take a picture of the old wiring great referance
Aye, matey, glad it helped - smooth sailin'!
What happens if you use a different ballast in the same fixture?
You need to make sure you get the fluorescent tubes that will match the ballast. It should tell you that on the ballast itself.
Paying rent on time and in full. It should be on them to fix this. And they sure did this afternoon.
Glad it worked out, matey!
Viola! Or voila whatever they say in Spain 💪
Great to hear, matey! Smooth sailin'!
are all ballast wires yellow, blue, red, blk, white ?
Aye, matey, they are.
Lol your clock said 3:17 then at the end said 4 til 12 . So something didn't add up although the work you did was very accurate. Just interesting to see. You are pretty awesome ,so don't think I was saying anything negative. Just funny when you said 45 mins right in front of the clock which said nuh uh 😂
Aye, matey, the magic of editing! The 45 minutes was elapsed time, just not in a row - LOL! Thank you for your kind words, no negativity perceived - just your keen observation skills!
Easiest way is to unscrew the old one,let it hang with the wires still installed...screw in the new one,and you've got the old one hanging in front of you as a guide to show exactly what to do with the one above you 😁
Aye, matey, that'll work - thanks for the tip!
does it matter which red or which blue wire is used to connect to the ballast ?
Aye, matey, if ye follow the wiring diagram on new ballast, it should tell you which to use where.
Thanks ! I got it right eventually.@@thepiratehandyman2225
Im in the middle of changing a two ballast fixture. The numbers matched, but im off to return the new ballast I picked up because the wiring diagram is different. Dont be like me, confirm they match first before you leave the hardware store.
Aye, matey, good advice!
Hi Pirate, how do I know which blue connect to which blue? or it doesn't matter ? Thank you.
Follow the wiring diagram that is on the ballast.
@@thepiratehandyman2225 thank you
I’m lost because the diagram doesn’t explain which is which nor is there a diagram for the wires on the light.
The legend (wiring diagram) on the new ballast should show which color wires go where.
I have the same question. They don’t appear to be like speaker wire where there is a blue (positive) and a blue with a black stripe (negative). So does it matter which blue you connect to which or are they interchangeable?
Dang 20 bucks 3 years ago, now about $35, inflation is real lol. Thanks for the step by step, have to replace one of these in our small toy store.
Aye, inflation be VERY real, matey!
Nicel
Thank ye, lass - smooth sailin'!
So match all the colors Blue-Blue, Red-Red, etc?
Aye, that be correct. Follow the diagram on the ballast.
The electricians install lighting with the power hot, I cannot cut the power to fix one light. Any suggestions for doing this hot?
I wouldn't recommend it. You don't have a breaker for just that room/area?
No, it's a stairwell.@@thepiratehandyman2225
Do you have a VOM (volt/ohm meter)? When you turn of the switch, I would use the meter to make sure the wires aren't "live," and then you could proceed. Just be careful - electricity is very unforgiving!
Mine has four bulbs and two ballasts. Would it be easier for me to stick with two two-bulb ballasts, or go to a single four-bulb?
Personally, I would replace what you have, rather than switching to a single ballast,
@@thepiratehandyman2225 Okay. I am replacing some old Magnetek ballasts. They don't make them anymore. They are T12 high power factor. No open circuit voltage is given. How important is the open circuit voltage and how much light difference is there between normal power factor and high power factor? I'm not sure which ballasts to buy.
I would take the old ballast to your local hardware store, or light fixture dealer. They should be able to help you find the correct replacement. As I am not a licensed electrician, I don't want to give you an incorrect answer.
@@thepiratehandyman2225 I did go to Lowe's and the employee who walked up and asked if I needed help couldn't help me. He did however suggest I go to the local electric supply store. With that and your response, I think that's what I will do. I will take on of the old ballasts with me. Thank you.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes, matey!
I have a fluorescent light that had the ballast (electronic) fail, I replaced it with a magnetic
very cool, matey - thanks for the tip!
@@thepiratehandyman2225 your welcome! although some might say that i am being inefficient because of what i did, i really could care less because i love the buzz and the start up of magnetically ballasted fluorescent fixtures.
the problem I'm having is the new wire diagram doesn't match up to the old magnetic ballast wiring.
Can you send me a pic of the wiring diagram, and the actual wires? Are the wires blue, yellow and white?
I need replace 8 ft ballast which doesn’t have yellow wire.
Just make sure you buy the correct ballast, and follow the wiring chart on the new ballast. If the current ballast does not have a yellow wire, the replacement ballast should not have one, either.
There was a thunderstorm today and then the 2nd lightning caused the power to trip. When i reset it back it tripped again. Then i isolated the power switches one by one until i discovered a fluorescent light was causing the power trip. Each time i switched it on the power tripped. Tried changing the fluorescent bulb but it didnt help. Could it be the ballast that is causing this problem? Appreciate anyone’s inputs. Thanks a lot.
If the ballast shorted out, it is possible. It also could be the light switch itself. Take the plate off the light switch, and see if there are any burn marks.
@@thepiratehandyman2225 will do that. Thanks 👍
I checked on the switch by opening it up but found nothing wrong there. Next i checked on the ballast and found that there was a black mark left around the location of the ballast so I was convinced that it had to be the ballast. I bought a new unit and replaced the ballast. This time the power didnt trip as I switched the light on but the light didnt turn on either. I even changed the starter @ choke to a new one. Not sure what the problem is now. What else can it be?
Well, it might be time to call an electrician. You could try replacing the wiring and sockets (the part that hold the light tube) first, but since the lightning obviously overloaded the ballast, there might be some damaged wiring in the ceiling, and that will definitely require an electrician.
Yep I agree with you. This is beyond me now. Looks like an electrician has to be called. 👌
how do you replace light flouscent light
Does the fluorescent tube have 2 prongs on each end or one?
Yellow to yellow wires separated?
Aye, if that's what it shows on the wiring diagram on the ballast.
What about the yellow wire?
The wiring diagram on the new ballast should show you.
Question:
How do I know which blue goes to which blue? And which red to which red? 🤷♀️
Follow the wiring diagram on the ballast, matey, and you'll be fine!
@@thepiratehandyman2225
Thank you. I'm tentative of trying this, I did find the circuit breaker to power off the light fixture.
'nother question:
There are two sets of the light fixture up there. Each like in your video, each has two tube lights.
I have a ballast replacement for one, haven't put it in yet.
Now the other set is flickering too.
(I had removed light tubes from the first one and the second fixture was working for many months. Until now)
I haven't looked inside it yet.
Will I expect the second fixture to have its own ballast? If so, would it be the same type as the other fixture beside it?
Aye, it sounds like the second one is going out, as well. It should have the same ballast as the first, but you need to look at the part number on the second ballast to be sure, Also, if you are getting the new ballast from your local hardware store, as one of the experts there your wiring question. They should be able to help you. Let me know!
Is a ballast needed to LED
The short answer is yes, but I suggest asking a knowledgeable person where you buy your ballasts/bulbs. There are situations where the ballast may not match an LED bulb and will burn out the bulb quickly..
@@thepiratehandyman2225 ty I'll call an electrician
Aye, matey, best to be sure and safe in this case - smooth sailin'!
@@thepiratehandyman2225 $237 for like 20 minutes of labor I’m crying haha but at least then kitchen has light! I need to learn to do this myself it looks so easy it’s just difficult to do alone they have two guys here
Sorry, me hearty! Sometimes it's best to be safe, but ye learned something for the future.