Help troubleshooting fluorescent lights

[th3w01f]

We have a shed that has 8 overhead fluorescent lights. 6 are controlled by one switch and 2 by another.

Everything was working fine earlier today, but now none of them will turn on. Each has a faint orange glow at the ends but won't light even after 10 minutes. I didn't notice any flickering.

There is another room that also has fluorescent lights and everything is working fine, the outlets in the main room also appear to be fine. The shed has a single connection to the main panel, so it seems that it has to be something in the shed.

I don't yet know if all the problem lights are connected to a single breaker, but my guess would be yes.

Any thoughts for troubleshooting tomorrow? What woudl cause all of them to act exactly the same way?

[Lurch]

The only thing I can think is a ballast or starter is going out and effecting the rest which doesn't make sense. I would let them warm up and see if you can find a bad ballast if they are older ballast pull the covers and see if any are leaking black goo.

[th3w01f]

Thanks, I'll try that, now I just need a 30' ladder.

Would a ballast on one switch affect the other lights, even if the switch with the bad ballast was off?

These are probably 10+ years old.

[Lurch]

Thanks, I'll try that, now I just need a 30' ladder.

Would a ballast on one switch affect the other lights, even if the switch with the bad ballast was off?

These are probably 10+ years old.

I would think not but who knows. The only other thing I can think is for some reason you have lost some power to them. I would start at the breaker and work your way to the lights. Maybe for some reason you have lost voltage or amps. From what you describe it's a very a strange problem.

[th3w01f]

I just did some additional testing, and after 10 min with each switch on by itself, nothing would light. All 8 are on the same breaker.

Tomorrow I'll test from the breaker out, but I'm sure it will all work fine in the morning. Or probably the day I hire an electrician, and he turns the switch on.

[th3w01f]

Here's what they all look like.

Attachment 71618

[theGinsue]

I've had multiple ballasts/starters go out in multiple flourescent fixtures at the same time. Neither should have had any effect on the other, but there it was. You should consider at least replacing all of the starters.

[Great-Kazoo]

I've had multiple ballasts/starters go out in multiple flourescent fixtures at the same time. Neither should have had any effect on the other, but there it was. You should consider at least replacing all of the starters.

For the money spent, he should upgrade to LED's and call it good.

If you had any part of that intense rain storm we had up here, moisture might be the culprit.

[newracer]

Maybe you had a power spike that damaged them.


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[Graves]

For the money spent, he should upgrade to LED's and call it good.

If you had any part of that intense rain storm we had up here, moisture might be the culprit.

This.
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