Marquee lighting

[cyberfluxor]

I was replacing the light behind the marquee in a stand-up Robotron machine and saw it was a GE model F14T12-CW s4c8 with a 14W rating manufactured in Mexico. Up at Lowes I picked up a GE "cool white" model F14T12 fluorescent with a 14 W rating as well and manufactured in Canada. The information about it is:
650 lumes, 14 Watts, 9000 hrs, 4100K color temp, & 60 color rating index

I swapped out the lights and when I powered up the machine it flashed and blew the fluorescent lamp. I read on the KLOV forums that the 15" F14T12 is fine, but I wanted to confirm that and see if it's a short or bad lamp. If neither of these the setup to power up the machine:
PSU switch
Monitor switch
Cabinet switch

I had the cab turned on along with the PSU. When I turned on the monitor switch it blew. Is there a better order or was it due to a surge to powering it that made it go?

[shawnbo42]

Change the ballast on the light fixture. Very common issue with the older machines, Midway especially, I've found. The ballast should be located behind the light fixture, looks like a little metal box mounted on the fixture with a couple of wires coming out of it. New one should run you about 10 bucks at a local Electrical Wholesalers, etc. If possible, bring the old one with you. (Trust me I speak from experience here). Replace the starter and the bulb with the new ballast and you should be fine.

[XYXZYZ]

I just had a similar problem, it would only have a dim light on the sides of the lamp. And it started doing that just after I moved the machine. Turns out the starter was bad, picked up a fresh pack of FS-2 starters at Home Depot and I'm back in business.

[Peale]

If you go to Wal-Mart you can get an under counter fixture for about eight bucks. It comes with a new ballast and a bulb. It comes with a starter too, but they strip the case off and hardwire it in. It's a great source for parts for your fixture, and cheap too.

[cyberfluxor]

Thank you, the ballast does sound correct. I now recall the seller briefly saying something about a starter.

[Ken Layton]

I was replacing the light behind the marquee in a stand-up Robotron machine and saw it was a GE model F14T12-CW s4c8 with a 14W rating manufactured in Mexico. I swapped out the lights and when I powered up the machine it flashed and blew the fluorescent lamp.


The metal ballast transformer on the light fixture is bad (shorted) allowing too much current to pass to the lamp thus blowing it.

The bad ballast has now taken out your new tube and FS-2 starter with it.

Advance Transformer # LC1420C (barcode 781087101308) available in the electrical/lighting section of most hardware & home improvement stores is what you need. This is a 14 to 20 watt "pre-heat" single tube ballast.