Dummy starter as switch? Fluorescent

[AnthonyL]

I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
dummy starter.

The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.

Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?


--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

[The Natural Philosopher]

On 15/01/2022 10:26, AnthonyL wrote:
> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
> dummy starter.
>
> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.
>

how would you do that?

> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?
>
>

Because it wouldn't work?

Seriously, all et starters I have seem are plugin only Not switches...


--
"And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch".

Gospel of St. Mathew 15:14

[Andy Burns]

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

> AnthonyL wrote:
>
>> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
>> dummy starter.
>>
>> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
>> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.
>
> how would you do that?

twist/untwist the starter, leaving it in place?

>> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?
>
> Because it wouldn't work?
> Seriously, all et starters I have seem are plugin only Not switches...

The dummy starters are just a dead-short, aren't they?

[The Natural Philosopher]

I've never found a dead short makes a good switch, either..


--
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the
other is to refuse to believe what is true.”

—Soren Kierkegaard

[Steve Walker]

On 15/01/2022 11:11, Andy Burns wrote:

> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>
>> AnthonyL wrote:
>>
>>> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
>>> dummy starter.
>>>
>>> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
>>> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.
>>
>> how would you do that?
>
> twist/untwist the starter, leaving it in place?

The contacts aren't designed for repeated insertion/removal. You could
always fit a push-on/push-off switch in the end of the dummy starter though.

>>> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?
>>
>> Because it wouldn't work? Seriously, all et starters I have seem are
>> plugin only Not switches...
>
> The dummy starters are just a dead-short, aren't they?

Yes, so easy enough to fit a switch into.

[Brian]

AnthonyL <nos...@please.invalid> wrote:
> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
> dummy starter.
>
> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.
>
> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?
>
>

Before LED tubes were available, I fitted a couple of fluorescent tubes
above a work bench. As I wanted to be able to turn them off independently,
I mounted one of those small push on/off switches on each one and wired in
into the supply. A single 10mm hole and, as I recall, I used the existing
wires.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <61e2a0d5...@news.eternal-september.org>,

AnthonyL <nos...@please.invalid> wrote:
> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
> dummy starter.

> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.

> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?

Can't think of any - apart from being a PITA to remove/replace. Why not
simply fit a switch?

--
*When did my wild oats turn to prunes and all bran?

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[Tim Lamb]

In message <59ab382...@davenoise.co.uk>, "Dave Plowman (News)"
<da...@davenoise.co.uk> writes

>In article <61e2a0d5...@news.eternal-september.org>,
> AnthonyL <nos...@please.invalid> wrote:
>> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
>> dummy starter.
>
>> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
>> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.
>
>> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?
>
>Can't think of any - apart from being a PITA to remove/replace. Why not
>simply fit a switch?

While we are back on LED fluorescent replacements.. I have had an
opportunity to explore inrush current issues.
Bank of 3 twin 1500mm in T8 fittings. Several occasions when the supply
switch has failed to disconnect without a tap from something hard.
May just be microswitch toggling unsuitable for this load but
unexpected. 20amp claimed!
https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-ip66-20a-2-gang-2-way-weatherp
roof-outdoor-switch-with-neon/66499
>

--
Tim Lamb

[AnthonyL]

On Sat, 15 Jan 2022 14:45:29 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
<da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:

>In article <61e2a0d5...@news.eternal-september.org>,
> AnthonyL <nos...@please.invalid> wrote:
>> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
>> dummy starter.
>
>> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
>> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.
>
>> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?
>
>Can't think of any - apart from being a PITA to remove/replace. Why not
>simply fit a switch?
>

I don't take it out, a 30deg turn disconnects, go the other way and it
switches back on.

It's got quite solid contacts too.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Oh...finally I understand...No that should work OK. for you anyway.

Would puzzle anyone else using it id say

--
“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit
atrocities.”

― Voltaire, Questions sur les Miracles à M. Claparede, Professeur de
Théologie à Genève, par un Proposant: Ou Extrait de Diverses Lettres de
M. de Voltaire

[Brian Gaff (Sofa)]

I'm surprised some enterprising company does not make a chord pull switch
that fits the old starter socket but is a little longer to allow the
switch.
Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...
bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"AnthonyL" <nos...@please.invalid> wrote in message
news:61e4136e....@news.eternal-september.org...

[Rod Speed]

Brian Gaff (Sofa) <bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote

> I'm surprised some enterprising company does not
> make a chord pull switch that fits the old starter
> socket but is a little longer to allow the switch.

Its unlikely most starter sockets would survive that.

> The Sofa of Brian Gaff... bri...@blueyonder.co.uk

> AnthonyL <nos...@please.invalid> wrote

[Tim Lamb]

In message <ss38h2$coh$1...@dont-email.me>, "Brian Gaff (Sofa)"
<bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> writes

>I'm surprised some enterprising company does not make a chord pull switch
>that fits the old starter socket but is a little longer to allow the
>switch.

Often tucked away above the tube on single fittings also access issues
with diffusers.

--
Tim Lamb

[Peeler]

On Mon, 17 Jan 2022 19:56:33 +1100, cantankerous trolling geezer Rodent
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:

<FLUSH the abnormal trolling senile cretin's latest trollshit unread>

--
Marland addressing senile Rodent's tall stories:
"Do you really think people believe your stories you come up with to boost
your self esteem."
Message-ID: <h88tt7...@mid.individual.net>

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <ss38h2$coh$1...@dont-email.me>,

Brian Gaff \(Sofa\) <bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> I'm surprised some enterprising company does not make a chord pull
> switch that fits the old starter socket but is a little longer to allow
> the switch.

Make your own, using the old starter case?

--
*I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing *

[ARW]

I am interested. So why do you suspect this is an inrush problem?

More likely just a faulty switch IMHO.

The only time I have had inrush problems with LEDs was with HMP
Sudbury's car park lights that had a B Type 6A MCB fitted.

--

Adam

[Tim Lamb]

In message <ss75uk$v9f$1...@dont-email.me>, ARW
<adamwa...@blueyonder.co.uk> writes

>On 15/01/2022 15:17, Tim Lamb wrote:
>> In message <59ab382...@davenoise.co.uk>, "Dave Plowman (News)"
>><da...@davenoise.co.uk> writes
>>> In article <61e2a0d5...@news.eternal-september.org>,
>>>   AnthonyL <nos...@please.invalid> wrote:
>>>> I've replaced the fluorescent tube with an LED tube so it now has a
>>>> dummy starter.
>>>
>>>> The room has a low ceiling and for various reasons it would suit to
>>>> turn the light on and off via the dummy starter.
>>>
>>>> Any reason why it shouldn't be used this way?
>>>
>>> Can't think of any - apart from being a PITA to remove/replace. Why not
>>> simply fit a switch?
>> While we are back on LED fluorescent replacements.. I have had an
>>opportunity to explore inrush current issues.
>> Bank of 3 twin 1500mm in T8 fittings. Several occasions when the
>>supply switch has failed to disconnect without a tap from something
>>hard.
>> May just be microswitch toggling unsuitable for this load but
>>unexpected. 20amp claimed!
>> https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-ip66-20a-2-gang-2-way-weatherp
>> roof-outdoor-switch-with-neon/66499
>>>
>>
>
>I am interested. So why do you suspect this is an inrush problem?

No certainty. Just that we had been discussing the published inrush
current for these LED tubes and the apparent switch failures (both of
them on different occasions) appeared convincing.

>
>More likely just a faulty switch IMHO.

Both of them? The toggling action with this weatherproof fitting is not
hugely positive so lightly welded contacts following our discussion
seemed likely.

>
>The only time I have had inrush problems with LEDs was with HMP
>Sudbury's car park lights that had a B Type 6A MCB fitted.

Well it is my workshop so I can continue to find a suitable implement to
*tap* the operator for disconnection:-)
I don't think they have ever failed to connect. I left the chokes in
place. Another few kilograms of CO2 over what remains of my life!
>
>--
>
>Adam

--
Tim Lamb