Marquee bulb blows out instantly on replacement

viewsonix

Member
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
955
Reaction score
10
Location
Virginia
I have a game where the marquee flourescent bulb was burned out. I replaced the bulb and on power on it immediately blew again. Does that mean the ballast (the small silver can below the fixture) is bad? I'd hate to buy more 6 dollar bulbs and waste them when a new fixture at homedepot is ten bucks.
 
I always replace the ballast, starter, and bulb at once, on any game I'm keeping long term. The parts are all old and although I got a pile of NOS bulbs for $2/ea, they're still not worth blowing because of a ballast that should probably be replaced anyways.
 
ugh

See this is why I posted this, because I'm still clueless on 99% of these things!

I didn't notice any other parts besides the starter can, which i did see at Lowes for like 2 bucks. How much do the transformers run?

I'm starting to think my idea of ripping the whole thing out and putting in a new $9.99 florescent fixture from Lowes is a good one.
 
See this is why I posted this, because I'm still clueless on 99% of these things!

I didn't notice any other parts besides the starter can, which i did see at Lowes for like 2 bucks. How much do the transformers run?

I'm starting to think my idea of ripping the whole thing out and putting in a new $9.99 florescent fixture from Lowes is a good one.

Depending on the cabinet and whether or not you are looking to stay "stock" or not... that is you're best deal.

Unfortunately it's difficult to source oldschool ballasts at Lowes or Home Depot any more...
 
Yeah, it's an Ikari Warriors machine I just picked up. Those aren't 'rare' by any means so I think swapping it out isn't really a big deal.
 
Home Depot carries the ballast you need for $6.99.

You can always test an unknown ballast with a meter. Measure the ohms between the two wires coming from the ballast. if it's good, it will measure approx. 25 ohms....
 
Fill in your location...

If you're in Dallas, I have 6 of them at home that I picked up cheap on clearance from Lowe's.
 
Fill in your location...

If you're in Dallas, I have 6 of them at home that I picked up cheap on clearance from Lowe's.

Thanks for the offer! I'm up in VA so not quite driving distance away.
I went ahead and used the $9.99 Lowes light fixture, just wired it up directly to the same wiring the old fixture used. Works fine.

I did however keep all the old parts in case for some reason I want to go 'stock', or if the next machine needs a part.

And so the pile of parts in the garage starts to grow......
 
Back
Top Bottom