Fluorescent ballast wiring

[Mike Kreinhop]

Well never mind, the above ballast won’t work. There are 2 existing wires at each tombstone. And the new ballast only accounts for 1 at each tombstone. Ugh. Where can I find a replacement ballast that will work?

I think you will be fine with the newer electronic ballast. I've replaced several older transformer and early electronic ballasts with the newer electronic ballasts and they work perfectly. Here's a video showing the process with the multi-wire lamp bases.

[Jerome Stanek]

try these from Lowes

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-3...ulb/1000083437

[Matt Day]

Mike - that video cleared it up perfectly! Thanks!

[David L Morse]

I hope this doesn't fit the TMI category...

Your existing ballast is "Rapid Start". This type of ballast uses the heaters on each end of the tube. The heaters are connected between the two end pins and so each pin has a separate wire to the ballast ("unshunted" tombstones).

The ballast in your Amazon link is "Instant Start". This type bypasses the heaters by shorting the end pins ("shunted" tombstones). This ballast has fewer wires. Of course you can manually wire unshunted tombstones to do this as shown in the video.

Either will work in your fixture. Usage patterns determine the preferred type.

If the lights are on for long periods of time an Instant Start ballast has the advantage. It uses slightly less power because the heaters are not used..

If the lights are switched on and off many times a day then a Rapid Start ballast gives longer lamp life.

Most residential uses are in between those extremes. Either type will work. An exception would be something like a large pantry with a door switch that's used a lot.

[Rod Sheridan]

Your old ballast looks like a T12 type.

The T8 lamps have both pins on the socket connected together and only one wire to the ballast.

The new ballast will have the much simpler wiring diagram printed on it, you will be able to easily follow it.....Rod.

[Matt Day]

Thanks Rod. The ballast can do both T12 or T8 I think, based on the label.

I’ll post back after I get the new one installed, and hopefully working.

[Robert Engel]

No you can't use it on 4 bulbs.

You need either a 4 bulb ballast like thist or 2-2 bulb ballasts.

BTW you can't use a T8 ballast on T12 bulbs.

[Matt Day]

It worked! I wired it per Mike’s video, but one tombstone had an extra wire so I wire nutted that and left it alone.