help with putting together shoplights needed DESPERATELY

[Jamie Drilling]

Assume complete ignorance, because that's what I have--I bought two
double-strip shoplights expecting to pop the bulbs in and that be that.
Of course the lights aren't working. Help!!! How do you wire
shoplights? Is a starter something I have to buy separately?

I have already ripped the boxes open so can't return them for something
I can just pop the bulbs into (less customizable but it would work).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Jamie

[Dean A. Markley]

If I had to guess, I'd say you bought the el cheapo model for about
$8-10? If so, you rproblem is the general flimsiness of the housing and
the end lamp holders. Unfortunately, it is a cheap and poor design
without and elegant fix. Try inserting the lamp and then running a wire
or tape around the end holders the length of the lamp to hold them tight.

Your best bet is to get a better quality light.

Dean

Jamie Drilling wrote:
> Assume complete ignorance, because that's what I have--I bought two
> double-strip shoplights expecting to pop the bulbs in and that be that.
> Of course the lights aren't working. Help!!! How do you wire
> shoplights? Is a starter something I have to buy separately?
>
> I have already ripped the boxes open so can't return them for something
> I can just pop the bulbs into (less customizable but it would work).
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Jamie
>

[Charles]

On 16 Oct 2005 01:35:19 -0700, "Jamie Drilling"
> wrote:

>Assume complete ignorance, because that's what I have--I bought two
>double-strip shoplights expecting to pop the bulbs in and that be that.
> Of course the lights aren't working. Help!!! How do you wire
>shoplights? Is a starter something I have to buy separately?
>
>I have already ripped the boxes open so can't return them for something
>I can just pop the bulbs into (less customizable but it would work).
>
>Any help would be greatly appreciated!
>
>Jamie


I had similar problems with a few of those, and I know how to wire
them. Actually, they were already wired, but the people who make them
turn out bad products at times.

No starter should be needed for regular shop lights, that is sort a
thing of the past.

You can try replacing the ballast with a better one, an electronic
ballast is more efficient.

[Daniel Morrow]

Bottom posted.


"Dean A. Markley" > wrote in message
...
> If I had to guess, I'd say you bought the el cheapo model for about
> $8-10? If so, you rproblem is the general flimsiness of the housing and
> the end lamp holders. Unfortunately, it is a cheap and poor design
> without and elegant fix. Try inserting the lamp and then running a wire
> or tape around the end holders the length of the lamp to hold them tight.
>
> Your best bet is to get a better quality light.
>
> Dean
>
> Jamie Drilling wrote:
> > Assume complete ignorance, because that's what I have--I bought two
> > double-strip shoplights expecting to pop the bulbs in and that be that.
> > Of course the lights aren't working. Help!!! How do you wire
> > shoplights? Is a starter something I have to buy separately?
> >
> > I have already ripped the boxes open so can't return them for something
> > I can just pop the bulbs into (less customizable but it would work).
> >
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated!
> >
> > Jamie
> >

I bought mine for approximately 8 dollars (us) and it works great. My only
complaint is that unless you suspend them over the tank the bulbs get bumped
and reseated allot unless you do as I did and solder the bulbs to the unit
which I am happy with as it functions at 100% now and if I ever need to I
can unsolder the bulbs/unit etc. Once or twice a year I replace a bulb as
they don't work forever. Ballast is built in and so is the starter (which I
feel comfortable replacing in the future, both the ballast and the starter,
whichever is necessary (and/or), that is) so you should be good to go unless
you somehow got a bad brand or something like that. Good luck and later!

[NetMax]

"Jamie Drilling" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Assume complete ignorance, because that's what I have--I bought two
> double-strip shoplights expecting to pop the bulbs in and that be that.
> Of course the lights aren't working. Help!!! How do you wire
> shoplights? Is a starter something I have to buy separately?
>
> I have already ripped the boxes open so can't return them for something
> I can just pop the bulbs into (less customizable but it would work).
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Jamie


Given the possible wiring combinations, it's difficult to comment.
Ordinarily, if they have a plug on the end, then you just plug them in
with bulbs installed. Check you are using the right bulbs (not 40W in a
34W fixture), though I don't know if that would prevent them from
completely working. I suggest you bring them back to the store for a
quick explanation.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Jamie Drilling]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I ended up taking them back to Home
Depot, and one of the employees there wired them for me. <sheepish
grin> I thought ballasts were like batteries and hadn't purchased
cords. So now they work and they are perfect! My tank is only 25% set
up, if that, and already it looks pretty good.

Jamie <rarely felt so stupid, but still excited...> :)