Re Floursecent Lights

[tadpole]

Tks ACB312 and QAPMOC. I'll certainly test the choke. I'd like to know more about the Electronic Starter. Does this fit inside the unit or externally? Thanks again for the information.

[heathfield]

You'll find the starter set into either the side of the fitting, or sometimes under the tube itself. It's a round thingy about 3/4" diameter that you push and turn like a light bulb to remove. There's a picture of a couple here If you're getting a new one, check that it suits the wattage of your light.

[qapmoc]

An electronic starter will be an exact replacement for the existing one, It looks exactly the same outside but contain's electronics inside.
The ideal thing would be to chuck out all the old fashioned starter+choke+capacitor and fit a new single electronic ballast unit but this will be a bit expensive if you buy a good reliable make. However the electronic ballast units have a few advantages -
1. Lower running costs (no heat loss in the choke)
2. No power factor compensation needed as there is no choke.
3. Instant no flashing starting
4. High frequency drive for the tube, meaning no ''flicker'' from the corner of your eyes or eyestrain.
5. High frequency drive for the tube means also that it will not make rotating objects appear stationary.