Fluorescent Light and or Ballast

The cheapest thing to try first is bulb replacement, like he's doing. If that doesn't work it's not like having a spare bulb around is a bad thing. The next thing to do is to either replace the ballast or the whole fixture. He's correct that the ballast is expensive, and depending on the fixture, may be easier to just replace the whole thing. If you have an antique light fixture or something that is hard to replace, the ballast is the way to go. If it's just a cheap fixture most of the cost you paid for the fixture was for the ballast inside.

If replacing the fixture doesn't work... you have bigger problems. Your wires may be compromised and shorting out. That would be beyond my ability to fix and the next step would be to contact an electrician.

Hi! Check out this article on EHow :

How to Tell If a Fluorescent Ballast Is Going Bad? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_tell-fluorescent-bal...

Also, not all florescent ballasts are expensive, although sometimes it is just as easy to replace the whole fixture if you have a hard time finding the ballast. Instead of a home improvement place, you may want to get a price from an electrical supplier,

Hi, B.D.
Light bulbs can burn out without having to
replace the blast.

When the blast goes, the light fixture makes a humming sound.

If you don't hear a humming sound, then the blast may be okay.

Talk more with your husband about this situation and both of you
come to an understanding.
D.

I am not sure exactly what the problem is, however, our light above the kitchen sink does the same thing. You can get it to come on by tapping the bulb lengthwise. May help you out in the meantime. :)

Good luck with your "blasts"! tee hee

I think he's doing the right thing by trying the replacing the bulbs first....

Well, I don't have the answer to your question, I just want to say we recently replaced our old-style long tube type hideous flourescent fixture with a spiffy new 6 light spotlight type brushed steel fixture that was only $30 at Lowe's. Furthermore it took my guy just a screwdriver and about 15 minutes to install it. AND it takes fluorescent bulbs!

:)

it is the ballast. they are NOT expensive to change. I've done it many times. its not hard to change either since wires are color coded.