Thanks. I'm going to do this in about an hour from now. I was wondering how to connect the new ballast to the existing wires. I figured they would clip in. Wasnt expecting I'd have to cut and use wire nuts. Not a big deal at all, just figured it would be more module. Thanks!
Always turn off the power at the circuit breaker and test it with a multimeter beforehand. Ensure that your work area is safe and that your ladder is correctly placed. Gloves, eye protection, and a hard hat is recommended. Replace the ballast in kind or better rating. Before work commences, take a minute to look over the area, tools, replacement equipment, and what is to be replaced. On industrial jobs, we call it a “5x5” however, a minute works well enough. Be mindful of your balance while on the ladder. Always follow the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Installation and Operations Manual (IOM) paying close attention to all safety information. Remember, one slip up is exposing. After the task is complete, clean up the area. Make sure everything is in place and ready to go before you turn power back on. It is always recommended that one person stands aside of the area to re-energize while the other person turns the circuit breaker back on. If there is a problem swift communication might be necessary to turn the breaker back off. Always make safe the job before troubleshooting the problem. If there is no problem then close out the job. It might seem a bit overkill to preform the tasks listed above however, doing any job safely is worth the extra effort.
@@Rectitude4U Safety is no joke. I once had a large brim safety had. One day a 3 phase cable was hit by lightening and the cable while still energized, hit me on top of my hardhat. Because of the large brim, it rolled off of me missing my shoulder before hitting the ground next to me. I had on Electrical boots and was fine no matter what but making sure something cannot fall on your head is always best practices at work or at home. It only take a minute to put on a hard hat.
Don't forget to get a fire Extinguisher, or have a fire truck sitting close by, and probably should wear a long sleeve shirt (in case it sparks and burns your arm) check to make sure that there is NOTHING explosive near the area where you are working, also have someone hold your ladder...... Nope Nope Nope, on 2nd thought, it's to dangerous, don't do it, just buy a lamp
Thanks for this! I have one florescent out in my mud room and didn't know what it could be (replaced the bulbs and still got nothing) so now I think I know! Very easy to follow, so thanks again!
Thank you my light went out in my closet last year and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong after changing the bulb. Now the one in my kitchen has gone out 😮. Tried to replace the bulb and same thing. I’m sure this is my solution to the problem.
I started learning this for 2 years. Remember to connect the wires by itself especially the neutral wires and try handling the power wire, the black wire ⬅️ especially and red wires with care, without getting burn and shock.
A easy trick is to unscrew the old one and let it hang with the wires still installed.Then screw in the new one and you've got the old one hanging as a cheat sheet to show you how to install the one you screwed in😁
@@DeaninItYourself I'm not the original commenter, but had one outright snap apart on me when I went to replace the bulbs. 2x4 Drop-ceiling type . Always good to be careful about how it's held in, if one doesn't want a shower of dead hornets, dust, and insulation.
if you're in an office bldg and can't turn off the circuit breaker, is it safe just to turn the light switch off, or if there is something else I should do? BEFORE TRYING TO REPLACE THE BALLAST I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ELECTRICAL STUFF
Power is still going to the switch, so if the switch is faulty (even though switched off), you may die doing it the way shown in the video. Always check with a meter. Don't rely on turning a switch off.
Great video,clear steps!! just wondering how to connect same colour wires together, twist in same direction- side by side (=) or opp direction (- -). thx!! diy woman.
The metal slots that receive the new ballast prongs that hold it in place are 9 1/2" wide, but I can only find 10" wide ballasts online for a T12, 2 bulb system. Any suggestions?
I usually just replace the bulb, if still not work..then i replace ballast, if that dont work.,, check I check the contact point where the 2 prong from the bulb touch the slot... if that dont work.. then it's much more complex..lol
im getting ready to replace an old one for a friend..it has black and white wires on one side and blue and red on the other of the ballast..what happens if the new ones have different colors or more than 2 wires??
@@DeaninItYourself the old ballast is from 1975 t12 and only had 4 wires total..magnetic ballast I think theyre called..big and heavy....the home depot store gave him the new electronic model which is smaller in size but had 8wires total 2 red, 2 blue, black, white, and then 2 yellow, 1 with each group of red/blue... So I took both red wired together to the red wire I cut off...both blue to the blue I cut..Black to black. White to white. ..then was kinda lost on yellow..originally took the yellow and ran one down to the opposite end of bulb connecting to that sides wire, same with the other yellow..when turned on only one side of the two bulb fixture lit up...the diagram showed each yellow having to be split to connect to both ends on the far side, so made the little splices connected one yellow from each to one side and one from each to other side this caused to pop the circuit when turned on..
My ballast does not have a yellow wire, nor does it connect to the opposite end of the bulb. Red to one bulb blue to the other, the opposite end the connectors have a white wire connecting the two together. Is there a difference in the ballast or how to wire it? Any help is greatly appreciated.
When you wired your common tombstone connectors with the yellow wires, how did you wire them? Was it like this: Tombstone connector for lamp one: Wire hole 1: yellow Wire hole 2: white wire Wire hole 3: yellow Wire hole 4: red wire Tombstone connector for lamp 2: Wire hole 1: no wire Wire hole 2: red wire Wire hole 3: no wire Wire hole 4: white wire I am trying to troubleshoot a rapid ballast replacement for 2 lamps. When I switch it on it flashes once and shuts off/does not turn on.
Why would you not use a basic electrical meter and test the ballast resistor using the ohms on the meter? If it fails the test, you can replace the ballast.
@@DeaninItYourself They're all really tight. Maybe I got the wrong replacement? Here is the New Ballast: www.screencast.com/t/NywTcFabDmq Here is the old one www.screencast.com/t/bdtxj4PP
You are a very smart 13 year old the world would be a better place if young people would do this instead of playing games or causing trouble. In your life time uou will save yourself a lot of money.
2 blues 2 reds. 2 yellows. My question is, does it matter which one goes where. the two blues for example, does it matter which blue goes to which one?
What if the old ballast is not the same as the new standard size? The fixtures in house are all 9" long, but the fixtures in the garage are 6" long by 2 1/2". All the numbers are the same: T12, two bulb, 120 volts, etc. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement ballast with these shorter, fatter dimensions?
Doesn’t help if the specification sheet dried up and crumbles to dust. No idea what type of ballast I have. (I have done this before) The other problem is the ballast is connected (integrated) to the lamp fixture with all white wires. 😂
Why would you spend $30 for a ballast and then another 15 on bulbs you can just buy a better LED light fixture for the same price and it's more modern looking. I'm asking because I'm trying to understand.
Today is 2024. More than 10 years ago, I replaced all my fluorescent tubes with LED tubes. I now have better light, I'm not replacing tubes all the time and I'm saving a fortune on my electricity. You don't need a new fixture. The ballasts can stay in place, if you don't feel like removing them. Just disconnect them from the power and cu the wires. I don't understand why anyone, in 2022, in the US, would want to use fluorescent lights, or how he could not know about the LED tubes. Also, there are so many comments offering thanks, for the instruction it blows my mind!!
Man....C'mon, now... clean the dead flies and dirt from the unit while it's dismantled. Also, how about removing the dirty finger marks around the switches for the light and garage door. Filthy much?
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Some guy wanted to charge me $675 for this. Got it done in less than an hour. Thanks for the video. Very straightforward.
glad it worked out for you, $675 is not a small fee.
Holy Cow !! You should have sent him a video of what you did and told him he was highly overpriced. You seem calm-I’d be quite mad 😡
What? Hell, you can buy an entire new light for $35
Thanks. I'm going to do this in about an hour from now. I was wondering how to connect the new ballast to the existing wires. I figured they would clip in. Wasnt expecting I'd have to cut and use wire nuts. Not a big deal at all, just figured it would be more module. Thanks!
You are welcome, it works out!
Thanks to your video, I was successful in replacing ballast and now Kitchen has light again. Thanks
unless i looked at your video i would have never thought about changing a ballast thank you for your help!
Always turn off the power at the circuit breaker and test it with a multimeter beforehand. Ensure that your work area is safe and that your ladder is correctly placed. Gloves, eye protection, and a hard hat is recommended. Replace the ballast in kind or better rating. Before work commences, take a minute to look over the area, tools, replacement equipment, and what is to be replaced. On industrial jobs, we call it a “5x5” however, a minute works well enough. Be mindful of your balance while on the ladder. Always follow the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Installation and Operations Manual (IOM) paying close attention to all safety information. Remember, one slip up is exposing. After the task is complete, clean up the area. Make sure everything is in place and ready to go before you turn power back on. It is always recommended that one person stands aside of the area to re-energize while the other person turns the circuit breaker back on. If there is a problem swift communication might be necessary to turn the breaker back off. Always make safe the job before troubleshooting the problem. If there is no problem then close out the job.
It might seem a bit overkill to preform the tasks listed above however, doing any job safely is worth the extra effort.
Spoken like a licensed electrician!! 😉
Just trying to get my lights working again not Appling for an electrician job thank you anyway.
A hard hat to replace a ballast? But I bet you go months without checking the tire pressure on you truck.
@@Rectitude4U Safety is no joke. I once had a large brim safety had. One day a 3 phase cable was hit by lightening and the cable while still energized, hit me on top of my hardhat. Because of the large brim, it rolled off of me missing my shoulder before hitting the ground next to me. I had on Electrical boots and was fine no matter what but making sure something cannot fall on your head is always best practices at work or at home. It only take a minute to put on a hard hat.
Don't forget to get a fire Extinguisher, or have a fire truck sitting close by, and probably should wear a long sleeve shirt (in case it sparks and burns your arm) check to make sure that there is NOTHING explosive near the area where you are working, also have someone hold your ladder...... Nope Nope Nope, on 2nd thought, it's to dangerous, don't do it, just buy a lamp
Thanks for this! I have one florescent out in my mud room and didn't know what it could be (replaced the bulbs and still got nothing) so now I think I know! Very easy to follow, so thanks again!
As a single woman who didn’t want to call her landlord for something so small… THANK YOU for the wonderful video!!!!
You are most welcome
The man!!!! Thanks! very helpful! Saved me and my family some money.
Thanks for helping us replace the ballast.
You're welcome!
Great video! You make it ez to understand. Thank you!
Thank you my light went out in my closet last year and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong after changing the bulb. Now the one in my kitchen has gone out 😮. Tried to replace the bulb and same thing. I’m sure this is my solution to the problem.
you’re welcome
very clear description on how to complete this task, thanks
Best video I ever seen, straight to the point and very well instructed. Thanks!
Thank You
Instructions were great was able to fix mine with your video. Thanks
Glad it helped
Great video I think even I could manage this feat🤣
Thank you. I needed this.
I started learning this for 2 years. Remember to connect the wires by itself especially the neutral wires and try handling the power wire, the black wire ⬅️ especially and red wires with care, without getting burn and shock.
Nuff respect. great help bro.
Glad I could help
Thanks for posting. Good instruction
Easy explanation! I’m going to try this!
Great job describing and camera work.
Thank you kindly!
Thanks, it took me least then 10 minutes.
A easy trick is to unscrew the old one and let it hang with the wires still installed.Then screw in the new one and you've got the old one hanging as a cheat sheet to show you how to install the one you screwed in😁
Very easy 👌 we'll explain. God Bless.
Great info easy to follow! Only down side is I have 6 of these in my garage🤦🏾♀️
You can do it!
Thanks, very helpful video, God bless you.
Very clear directions...Great job I think I can do this
You can do it, its not too bad
It would be a good idea to clean the inside of the diffuser while you have the light apart. If it's yellowed, you should probably replace it.
I agree, thanks for the observation
@@DeaninItYourself I'm not the original commenter, but had one outright snap apart on me when I went to replace the bulbs. 2x4 Drop-ceiling type . Always good to be careful about how it's held in, if one doesn't want a shower of dead hornets, dust, and insulation.
Your are the goat my man
Great job explaining. Cheer's!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you 😊
You're welcome 😊
Thank you!!!!
You are welcome
Great… very clear
Glad you think so!
Thanks
Good video thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks.
Great tutorial!!…thanks…subbed!.⭐️👍🏻
Thank you 👍🏼
Thank you so much really appreciate your help
Good demo. Thanx
Thank you
I converted mine to the led driver kit works great ! No more toxic mercury
Be mindful of LED radiation/interference.
if you're in an office bldg and can't turn off the circuit breaker, is it safe just to turn the light switch off, or if there is something else I should do? BEFORE TRYING TO REPLACE THE BALLAST I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ELECTRICAL STUFF
Power is still going to the switch, so if the switch is faulty (even though switched off), you may die doing it the way shown in the video. Always check with a meter. Don't rely on turning a switch off.
Thank you, I changed out 2 ballasts. Wondering why the wire wasn’t cut shorter instead of having so much to tuck under ?
Probably for future repairs so they don’t have to change the wires
@@JoshPitts-yv5du This - gives you more to cut off later for the next one.
Hey Deanin..."they say" it is a good practice to replace the "tombstones" in a florescent fixture, when you replace the ballast. What say you?
I dont think it really matters. My thoughts are either repace the ballast or replace the entire fixture
Great video,clear steps!! just wondering how to connect same colour wires together, twist in same direction- side by side (=) or opp direction (- -). thx!! diy woman.
twist side by sde and use a small blue wire nut
Very nice video
Thank you
The metal slots that receive the new ballast prongs that hold it in place are 9 1/2" wide, but I can only find 10" wide ballasts online for a T12, 2 bulb system. Any suggestions?
How can you figure out if the problem is the bulb, the ballast, or the switch?
GREAT VID!
I usually just replace the bulb, if still not work..then i replace ballast, if that dont work.,, check I check the contact point where the 2 prong from the bulb touch the slot... if that dont work.. then it's much more complex..lol
A switch failure is almost impossible. If the bulb (tube) is bad, you should clearly see black burn mark at the end of the tube.
im getting ready to replace an old one for a friend..it has black and white wires on one side and blue and red on the other of the ballast..what happens if the new ones have different colors or more than 2 wires??
then you got the wrong one. the colors should match the replacement one
@@DeaninItYourself the old ballast is from 1975 t12 and only had 4 wires total..magnetic ballast I think theyre called..big and heavy....the home depot store gave him the new electronic model which is smaller in size but had 8wires total 2 red, 2 blue, black, white, and then 2 yellow, 1 with each group of red/blue...
So I took both red wired together to the red wire I cut off...both blue to the blue I cut..Black to black. White to white. ..then was kinda lost on yellow..originally took the yellow and ran one down to the opposite end of bulb connecting to that sides wire, same with the other yellow..when turned on only one side of the two bulb fixture lit up...the diagram showed each yellow having to be split to connect to both ends on the far side, so made the little splices connected one yellow from each to one side and one from each to other side this caused to pop the circuit when turned on..
My ballast does not have a yellow wire, nor does it connect to the opposite end of the bulb. Red to one bulb blue to the other, the opposite end the connectors have a white wire connecting the two together. Is there a difference in the ballast or how to wire it? Any help is greatly appreciated.
My ballast looks very different and doesn't just snap out. If I send you a pic, could you give me some advice?
Sure
What if the are the bulb clicks in is brown and burnt looking? How do I replace the hose fixture?
When you wired your common tombstone connectors with the yellow wires, how did you wire them? Was it like this:
Tombstone connector for lamp one:
Wire hole 1: yellow
Wire hole 2: white wire
Wire hole 3: yellow
Wire hole 4: red wire
Tombstone connector for lamp 2:
Wire hole 1: no wire
Wire hole 2: red wire
Wire hole 3: no wire
Wire hole 4: white wire
I am trying to troubleshoot a rapid ballast replacement for 2 lamps. When I switch it on it flashes once and shuts off/does not turn on.
I have one of my light that is stuck and unable to remove any suggestions??
My only question is does it matter which red to red, blue to blue and yellow to yellow you connect? Either or...?
Does not matter
@@danielramotowski5187 thanks I figured it out 👍
ty
you are welcome
Why would you not use a basic electrical meter and test the ballast resistor using the ohms on the meter? If it fails the test, you can replace the ballast.
How do know what ballast to get? I don't see a part number on it
take it to Home depot and they can match it for you
If the light turns on after several switches but is very dim and flickers is that likely the ballast? I replaced the bulbs and it didn’t help…
Likely. It is
I replaced the ballast , turned the light on and it worked perfect. Flipped it off. 10 minutes later I turned them on again and no lights. Any ideas?
Maybe a loose connection, if it worked initially it should still work. Double check all the connections.
@@DeaninItYourself They're all really tight. Maybe I got the wrong replacement? Here is the New Ballast: www.screencast.com/t/NywTcFabDmq
Here is the old one www.screencast.com/t/bdtxj4PP
What if I replaced the blassest and it still doesn't work
seems easy enough, even for someone who knows squat about electricity, but who will be very careful.
i just followed your step and succesfully turned on the LIGHT but it is DIM , i bought my Eco smart LED BULBS from Home Depot .Did i made a mistake ?
I've had that problem. I try different bulbs. Think if they work then, they're just not getting good contact from old parts. I'm just a handyman.,.
Was this LED lights? Do LED lights uses the ballast? I know they don't use starters. How about ballast?
no LED lights do not
@DeaninItYourself tq sir
Im a 13 year old trying to learn something 😁
You are a very smart 13 year old the world would be a better place if young people would do this instead of playing games or causing trouble. In your life time uou will save yourself a lot of money.
@@howardwatts4238 facts
@@howardwatts4238 SO TRUE
@@howardwatts4238I’m 14 and do all the repairs in my house for my mum 😊
WOW 😱
I tried this but my lights won’t come on. They just flicker for a bit and then nothing? What can be done about that?
make sure the bulbs are making good connection
Sized available
Why not test the ballast? And the bulbs?
2 blues 2 reds. 2 yellows. My question is, does it matter which one goes where. the two blues for example, does it matter which blue goes to which one?
no it does not
What if the old ballast is not the same as the new standard size? The fixtures in house are all 9" long, but the fixtures in the garage are 6" long by 2 1/2". All the numbers are the same: T12, two bulb, 120 volts, etc. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement ballast with these shorter, fatter dimensions?
U can't get those anymore
Wouldn't it be easier to just replace the entire fixture?
thats also an option
You save me $400 bucks to a drunk guy
I was gonna do this but just replaced with led
thats a good option too
Doesn’t help if the specification sheet dried up and crumbles to dust. No idea what type of ballast I have. (I have done this before) The other problem is the ballast is connected (integrated) to the lamp fixture with all white wires. 😂
Cut all the wires and take it to your local home depot. They will match it up for you and then you can just re attach it.
Why would you spend $30 for a ballast and then another 15 on bulbs you can just buy a better LED light fixture for the same price and it's more modern looking. I'm asking because I'm trying to understand.
Today is 2024. More than 10 years ago, I replaced all my fluorescent tubes
with LED tubes. I now have better light, I'm not replacing tubes all the time
and I'm saving a fortune on my electricity. You don't need a new fixture.
The ballasts can stay in place, if you don't feel like removing them.
Just disconnect them from the power and cu the wires. I don't understand why
anyone, in 2022, in the US, would want to use fluorescent lights, or how he could
not know about the LED tubes. Also, there are so many comments offering thanks,
for the instruction it blows my mind!!
my ballasy cover doesnt look like that. 1/5 stars
I switched the light and it just had like a little metal piece that I switched out mine doesn’t have the big black box so idk what to do lol
What happens if they don’t make my model of ballast anymore?
Find a compatible one
Turn off power at breaker, not just at wall switch...
if you are carefull you dont have to turn off the breaker
You maybe, what if somebody walks in the room and flips on the switch? Do what you want, but that is pretty basic...
Clean the cover there dude😊
Student union time is paying off
Better yet, throw old ballast in trash and convert to led.
Why do all these DIY video's all start with "hi guy's " ? A lot of times females are doing the DIY projects
to. Thanks!
Force of habit, i mean no disfespect. I know plenty of females who do a lot of DIY projects very well.
More like sweeping up the cut up wires for hubby,passing the tools,and handing out the Gatorade 😁
How to loosen the screw, that is the part I cannot do
Yea sometimes there screwed in with diferent hardware.Depending on what you have a needle nose plier might work.
Man....C'mon, now... clean the dead flies and dirt from the unit while it's dismantled. Also, how about removing the dirty finger marks around the switches for the light and garage door. Filthy much?
Great video, very easy to understand. However your wire management skills are horrible.
The music is irritating and distracting.
So, you "fix" ANY ballast by replacing the ballast?? Seriously??😅
Ya thats not a "Fix" thats a replacement . Fix is repair so as not to have to replace lol
that aint fixing. fixing is taking the ballast apart and replacing the burnt component
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thank you!