MK2 Light Fixture keeps popping new bulbs

ctozzi

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I have never had this issue before with any of the 50+ cabinets I have restored or worked on. This is a dedicated MK2 cabinet with all original light fixture, power supply, iso transformer and so on. Every time I put a bulb in the fixture it lights up for a second then blows. I have no idea how to diagnose this, so any help is welcomed. I checked all the wires for split's,cuts, or hacking and they are all structurally intact.
Thanks
Chris
 
Is the ballast the whole light fixture ? Sorry I'm not educated on electrical components
 
No, its just a piece of it

looks like this

1250-3060-thickbox.jpg
 
My MK2 does the same thing. I tried to find a new ballast, and it cost way more than a whole light fixture. i didn't check home depot though because lowes didn't carry anything like i needed. The starters are like $2 for a pair, but that didnt fix mine, i think it is my ballast. The ballast is the transformer looking thing that has the wires coming from it, the starter is just a cylindrical piece that i have pictured. i think you will need an FS-5 for your light. If you know where to find a replacement ballast, please let me know. I still need one and don't want to pay $25 for just a piece for my light when i can buy a whole new bar for $15.
 

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Not sure how much of a different it makes, but I use FS-2 starters in my marquee lights and I've never had an issue.

My MK2 does the same thing. I tried to find a new ballast, and it cost way more than a whole light fixture. i didn't check home depot though because lowes didn't carry anything like i needed. The starters are like $2 for a pair, but that didnt fix mine, i think it is my ballast. The ballast is the transformer looking thing that has the wires coming from it, the starter is just a cylindrical piece that i have pictured. i think you will need an FS-5 for your light. If you know where to find a replacement ballast, please let me know. I still need one and don't want to pay $25 for just a piece for my light when i can buy a whole new bar for $15.
 
Thanks for that heads up, i'm going to the depot tomorrow. I use FS-5 and FS-2 for some of my games, it depends on the wattage you need for your bulb.
 
just a lil tidbit.

the ballast will sometimes/most of the time leak a goo when it goes bad. it will also take out every bulb you put in if it's bad (which can get expensive especially if you have a really hard to find bulb).
 
If the bulb instantly blows, it's the ballast. You can test a ballast by putting your multi-meter on the ohms setting. Put one lead on each of the two wires that come out of the ballast. A good ballast should measure about 26 ohms. If it doesn't read close to that, it's bad.
 
15 through 20 watt bulbs use an FS-2 starter.

Lowe's no longer carries the ballast needed for our industry marquee lights. Go to Home Depot or any other hardware or lighting store to buy it.
 
If you have trouble finding a decent price on a ballast, just grab a $7 complete 18" under cabinet fixture at Walmart, etc. Inside you will find the ballast you need, in addition to a spare bulb and potentially a starter, depending on the fixture type.
 
Replaced the ballast and voila ! Thanks for all the help guys. Home Depot has them, not lowes.
 
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