Fluorescent Marquee Not Working

r2084

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I have a fluorescent bulb marquee that is not working. I tried replacing the bulb, but it still doesn't work. When I say it doesn't work, I mean there is no flicker, no glow, no hum, nothing. I see there is a starter on the holder, but before I change that for a new one, is there a way to check the holder with a voltmeter?
 
Probably the starter. Very common failure, new starters are about a buck, and are sold in two-packs at the hardware store.

-Ian
 
Before you replace the starter, leave the game off and do an ohms check on the ballast. It should read approx. 25 ohms if good. if it's zero or close to it, replace it before you power up with the new starter, or you'll blow the new starter and new bulb...
 
+1. Been there. Turns a $7 ($6 ballast + $1 starter) repair into a $21 repair (2 x $7 bulbs + $6 ballast + $1 starter) :( :( :(

ken
 
Cool, thanks for the heads up about the ballast. Is the ballast usually inside the bulb holder housing?
 
Before you replace the starter, leave the game off and do an ohms check on the ballast. It should read approx. 25 ohms if good. if it's zero or close to it, replace it before you power up with the new starter, or you'll blow the new starter and new bulb...

That's a good point. I've never actually had a bad ballast like that (only ever had one bad one, and it was a shorted primary that took out the fuse). But, I know I've heard of several people finding bad ones. Check that first :D

-Ian
 
I tried measuring the resistance of the ballast. It only had two wires coming out of it, one going in and one coming out, is that right? Anyway, when I touched the multimeter probes to the wires, the readings bounced around all over the place. They seemed to settle down on 24.7 ohms though. Is it normal for the readings to jump all over like that?

Ken was correct BTW, the starter is an FS-2. I'll going down to Home D tomorrow or Friday to pick up a new one. I wonder if I should try using a colored bulb in there to keep the brightness down since the machine is in my dark garage. It's never worked since I've owned the machine, so not sure how bright it will be when it does work.
 
Just had one tonight. Ballast was measuring 19 ohm, and the bulb would start flickering and burning out, and then the marquee fuse would blow. Replaced the ballast (and starter bulb) and it's fine now....
 
Finally got down to Home D and bought some parts. I replaced the starter and bulb and the light is working again...YAY! A two pack of FS-2 starters was $2.19 and the bulb was 6.97 (cool white color, 15W, 18"). An entire light with bulb, base, switch, etc was selling for 9.97, tempting, but thought it'd be more ecological to replace only the parts needed. Anyway, maybe this info will help someone else in the future. Thanks everyone for all the help and advise.
 
Can I volunteer to be the idiot that asks for some sort of picture/jpeg reference as to what is the starter, and what is the ballast? :rolleyes:

I seriously have no idea. But want to do these tests to my Rampage soon.

Thanks in advance if someone can do that...
 
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