EdsVending Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 I was wondering if anyone could help me with my AP 4000 that is not lighting properly. First, a little history. The bulbs were continually burning out every 6 months or so. A friend of mine said its probably a bad ballast. I bought the one VE said I needed and installed it. I got a new bulb and a new starter(FS-2) and installed them, turned on the machine and waited for the magical moment of it lighting up like a Christmas tree. However, the light was flickering and only one inch on the sides of the bulb lit up. I also tried another starter that did not work either. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 I was wondering if anyone could help me with my AP 4000 that is not lighting properly. First, a little history. The bulbs were continually burning out every 6 months or so. A friend of mine said its probably a bad ballast. I bought the one VE said I needed and installed it. I got a new bulb and a new starter(FS-2) and installed them, turned on the machine and waited for the magical moment of it lighting up like a Christmas tree. However, the light was flickering and only one inch on the sides of the bulb lit up. I also tried another starter that did not work either. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Ed. Take a good look at your sockets - they can become corroded or possibly even broken. Most of us are getting those cheap LED kits now rather than maintaining the old fluorescents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdsVending Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 Take a good look at your sockets - they can become corroded or possibly even broken. Most of us are getting those cheap LED kits now rather than maintaining the old fluorescents. I was messing with the sockets and nothing was any different. Maybe I could replace them too. What cheap LED kits are you talking about? The ones I have seen are like $189. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Ed, Some of the lights made nowadays need to use an FS25 starter instead of the FS2. You ballast should also show that it can handle 14-20 watts or it might not be the correct one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen watson Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Sounds like a bad bulb to me. I bought a case of the 30" bulbs from bulbs.com and had one that was bad. It just wouldn't light-up all the way. Seems that was the bulb I carried around with me. I tried it on 2 or 3 different machines and it would do the same on all of them. I tried a different bulb and it worked right away. Can't remember which starter I used but I keep the usual ones with me and if one doesn't work I try a different type (fs2 vs fs25). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 I was messing with the sockets and nothing was any different. Maybe I could replace them too. What cheap LED kits are you talking about? The ones I have seen are like $189. Cajun's got a source that sells them for 20 bucks a kit and I've been buying the Sylvania kits for less than 30 bucks at Costco. LED's have come way down in price in the last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdsVending Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 Sounds like a bad bulb to me. I bought a case of the 30" bulbs from bulbs.com and had one that was bad. It just wouldn't light-up all the way. Seems that was the bulb I carried around with me. I tried it on 2 or 3 different machines and it would do the same on all of them. I tried a different bulb and it worked right away. Can't remember which starter I used but I keep the usual ones with me and if one doesn't work I try a different type (fs2 vs fs25). You know that could be it. I'll try a different bulb. The place where I got the bulb from has given me a bad bulb before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvending Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I have recently used LED bulbs from both Amazon.com and buyvendingmachinesonline.com 541-359-9316. They run from $12-$15 ea.( lot of 5) depending on length. No starter needed. Just remove old bulb and starter, put in new bulb, turn on power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen watson Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 The led replacement bulbs run about $1 an inch. 30" bulbs are $30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen watson Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I just ordered 2 LED bulbs. A 24" and a 30". We'll see how they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdsVending Posted March 21, 2015 Author Share Posted March 21, 2015 Update: I grabbed a working bulb to give it a try. At first it did not work but when I backed off the starter it went on. I tried the other bulb and had no luck. Not sure why it worked when I put in and took out the starter, but I'll roll with it. Thanks everyone! I have recently used LED bulbs from both Amazon.com and buyvendingmachinesonline.com541-359-9316. They run from $12-$15 ea.( lot of 5) depending on length. No starter needed. Just remove old bulb and starter, put in new bulb, turn on power. I went to buyvendingmachinesonline.com and thought those LED bulbs looked real nice. So, I don't need a starter with those and I just put them right in the socket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvending Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 That is all you do. They will last and also eliminate any electrical interference which can effect the control board. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 If your light works only when you remove the starter then you need a new starter or a ballast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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