Fluorescent Starters | All You Need To Know | Lightbulbs Direct (2024)

what will happen if i use a a st151 22w starter instead of a 155/800 starter

I have a bad FS-2C, How would I determine if need the 2C or if I could replace it with an FS-2 ?

I have recently replaced a starter. Can I recycle the old one? I was wondering if I could take it to somewhere that takes old electricals for recycling (eg Currys).

Replacing a T9 4 prong bulb. The ends dimly lit orange and nothing in the middle. Is this a bad ballast? Bad bulb? Does the entire light fixture need to be replaced?

If I have an older fluorescent light fixture that uses a starter, then I can’t switch the tubes to LED tubes? I would have to replace the entire fixture or stick with the older type tubes?

What do I do if my LED is starting to have a slight delay in turning on. Does that mean new bulbs? The bulbs are 3ft tubes.

I can’t find the start on a duo lamp system – can you let me know where to find it?

Helpful thanks

What is the difference between an fs-5 starter and an sfv-5 starter? Are they interchangeable?

I have a Blackflag bug zapper 5500 40w for about 5 yrs, it has worked perfectly up until recently.
It’s got the 4pin receptacle and on the backside of it with the wires it has a 1250V HEL 472J capacitor soldered to this receptacle . It’s also got the black U Shaped Florescent Tube.
I’ve been reading a lot and I did see on a few sites that some equipment has a start capacitor instead of the micro starter, maybe newer technology? I say this because I cannot find a micro starter anywhere.
On the board there are some thumbnail sized encased in the metal housing like the larger starters I’ve seen the pictures of, but the ones on my board are much much smaller and smaller diameters also. Again thumb nail size and much smaller.
Thank you in advance
Great thread going here

My housing commission flat does not have a see-able starter fuse for my fluorescent light tube

Hello, Can you tell me the difference between an FS-4C 13-30-40W starter and an FS-4 13-30-40W (No “C” in the second one) and can I buy them from you? Also may I use a 40W starter with a 25W tube? Thanks, Nancy

I have 4pin energy lamp for bathroom what size starter do I need

Hi, I need to replace the starter on a bulb on an industrial embroidery machine. The starter on there at the moment is an NEC FG-4P 36.40. I’ve tried to find a replacement, but I’m guessing it’s a Japanese starter. Is there a UK equivalent? I’d be grateful for any help – I don’t want to blow aa fuse! Thanks.

I have a bathroom mirror with integral 18W F18/T8 600mm fluorescent tubes. I can’t see a starter anywhere. Can I replace these tubes with LED equivalents?

The starter needs replacing on my fluorescent tube and I am having problems trying to replace the starter. Whilst it is supposed to be a standard fit, I have purchased 2 of the correct wattage and whilst it looks the same, does not fit snuggly the way the old one does. The one I have is 4-65W made by Kingfisher. Can you help?

Just replaced the 4’ fluorescent tubes in my father’s garage. Looks like new starters are also required. Any idea what starter should be used to replace PGSU 200/250V single 32-40W starters?

I have a Budweiser pool table light it has two fluorescent tubes 33″ long. I put two new F2T12CW33 tubes and two new FS25 starters. When I turned the light on, I got a quick burst of light at one end of the fluorescent tubes and then nothing. I can’t find information on what tubes or starters it should have in this light.

can a bad tube and aged starter completely blow the power out in a bathroom??
how do i test a starter to see whether or not it’s still good?

A new replacement Sylvania FS11 70 w starter causes tube to flicker. Is there a more powerful starter available or is it time to replace the tube?

I’m replacing a T12 75W, 110v Dual bulb starter. What starter do I need?

Need to replace an electronic starter for a 40W circular tube. Old part is YZ140EA but only same size replacement I can find is YZ138EAA (ie. rated for a 38W tube). Any idea if I’m likely to hit a problem fitting the 38W starter?

Hi – if I remove the tube but not the starter, does this still use electricity or none at all?

I have a 4 pin T5 40w 6400k circular flourescent ring but i can’t find what starter i need, the one that is in has disintergrated so i don’tk now no. can anyone help please.

Do I need a starter for a new 28W CFL CC GR10q – 4pin, col. 835 – 3500K White? It’s taking about 5 mins to come on which isn’t great for a bathroom light. The lighting shop didn’t mention replacing a starter. I don’t even know what one if any to get. Thanks

You say “current creates two electrodes inside the fluorescent starter to heat and glow”. Would it be better to say “current causes two electrodes inside the fluorescent starter to heat and glow”?

This article actually does NOT explain how starters work. The starters are actually gas tubes. The gas lights up and the current causes it to heat up enough for the bi-metal strip to bend and make contact between the electrodes. When that happens the current is directed through the filaments of the fluorescent lamp in series. THEN, they cool off because the contacts are connected. When they cool off and disconnect the ballast current spikes a voltage across the lamp which now has hot filaments and the tube lights. The voltage across the now lighted lamp is too low to relight the starter.

Have question .. why with new bulb & starter does flourescent still flicker. I have to remove starter to get bulb on & is fine.

Hi. The starter on my old stove’s fluorescent light blew and shattered. I’m using t8, 18 watt double ended fluorescent tube. Hard to still find, but I stocked up. If it makes any difference, the ballast is magnetic. So would the universal FSU 4 watt to 65 watt single tube starter work for me? And is it normal for the old starter to shatter and flash when it needs replacement?

What is the difference between a FS-2 and FS-5 Starter. They both seem to work fine in an 18″ bar light? Are they interchangable?

Some starter state ‘with condenser’ and others don’t. My existing starter is an FS-U 65-70w with condenser for a 6 foot tube. What is the difference if any?

i have got 58w t26 light what starter would i need

Can you use a FS-2 starter 14.15.20w to replace a FS-U 14.15.20w starter ? Thanks

What was the last year that they made fluorescent fixtures with starters??

Useful article, thanks. I’ve noticed that FS125 starters have been installed on a number of fittings that have 36w, 58w and 70w tubes. I guess at some point someone thought its easier just to buy one box to cover all fittings. Is this an issue for the lower wattage tubes or should FSU be swapped in?

I tried to insert starter unit it went straight through into the strip light what can l do

The starter unit went strait through the hole what can l do

Thank you for all the good info on your website! I was wondering if an FS-2 starter can substitute for an FS-2C. I cannot find the 2c starters and any references on the web seem to be from people who bought FS-2 starters and say that it is ok based on that it seems to work
This is for a lamp that is 22 years old. It is in a kitchen pantry and is usually only on for short periods of time so I really don’t need to buy an LED to save electricity. There is a Phillips F20T12/0 bulb in the lamp.
So is an FS-2 ok or should I replace the whole lamp. I don’t want there to be any problems. Thanks!

Useful, but it would be helpful if there were some diagrams showing what is connected to where, especially: the 4 pins on many tubes; where, electrically, the starter is connected, etc.

The starter of my tubelight seems to be stuck onto the holder. I twisted it anticlockwise by pressing down but just wouldnt come out. Is that how it is done?

hello there and thanks for this great post, quick question.. my starters (both of them) flicker in red when turning on the light but when the lights are on they will stay glowing red (not flickering and not off) is it ok for starter to stay glowing red/on like that while the lights are on ? and they turn off when the lights are off .. it only happens in one room .. in other rooms the starter turns off after the lights turn on and ofcourse when the light are tuned off so they only flicker when the light is turning on and then they turn off when the light is on .. new starters btw

I’m sorry but this is all way over my head (anything at all to do with electricity or circuits etc.).
My T8 tubes are having trouble lighting up quickly and the center of these brand new bulbs are dim, while the ends are bright. I have two separate ballasts (single fluorescent T8 bulb) for my aquarium, which use 25w 36″ tubes. They work, but it takes several seconds for them to light.
The ballasts came from the manufacturer with FS-4 condensers, but they didn’t work well. I’ve since used FS-2 and FS-4 starters, and I can’t tell which one I need, or what the differences are between them (there are no clear answers anywhere on the internet). Which one do I need, or is there some other completely different starter I need?
If someone could please explain starter differences to me in the simplest of terms, I would be most grateful.
Thank you.
-Kaegen

I purchased several Crompton LED tubes from you. I now need to replace one of the LED starters. I am unable to find them listed on your website (or any where else!). How do I get a replacement?
Thank you

Do starters use more power than the tubes?

apologies if this is a daft question. One of my under kitchen worktop strip lights…narrow bulb version…( a few years old now) has stopped working. New strip light bulb I purchased also does not work.Tested the electric current to the fitting and its working so concluding the fitment itself is broken ..
My question …does my form of narrow strip light under kitchen unit have a starter in it anyplace which i could renew as I cannot see one. I have changed starter units in my larger garage strip lighting.

I’m replacing T5 8W 12inch tubes, two per fitting. There are also two starters in the fitting. Does that mean that the FSU is the correct starter?
Thanks.

Very helpful. Now I know that the starter I have is correct for the tube, and when I should change it.

This was very helpful in understanding how starters work thank you