Rexlex Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I've got the above mentioned unit with upgraded lighting. Machine built in 1998 (115V 60 Hz, 3amps, single phase). The display LED light system is flickering. I assumed it was the bulb so I bought a replacement and it doesn't even flicker. The original bulb does flicker so I suspect the problem isn't the bulb. Any ideas on where to start? I can upload some pictures if need be but it appears to have a transformer that supplies power to both ends of the bulb. Any suggestions are appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 You need to replace starter with a new one when replacing a bad bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexlex Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 AZV, I'm guessing that is the silver part directly in front of it (about 1" x 3" in size) as shown in gallery picture. It has a writing on it, Robertson Transformer Co, Blue Island, IL. If that is correct, I'll pull it off tomorrow and get the part number and see if I can find an equivalent locally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 No, that's the ballast. The starter is a round silver or plastic item to either side of the light fixture. It might actually plug into a socket on one end of the fixture. Without it your light can't light at all. From your photo it appears that the starter socket is on that end of the fixture. It should use an FS2 starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 I just looked at you photo again and I see the LED sticker on the glass and can see that you have put a retrofit LED bulb in. That explains why you have no starter as those bulbs are sold as easy replacements for florescent lamps without changing any wiring, only removing the starter. Check with whoever sold it to you to find out what it means when one flickers and another won't light at all. It might mean you need a new ballast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexlex Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 It came with the machine. I talked with the guy I bought it from and he as thinking it was the ballast. I think I might just replace the whole thing with one of these if it works on the 171 as well: http://www.capitalvending.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=1504&category_id=154 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lacanteen Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Since you have a LED light, just bypass the ballast. Snip the 2 wires going to the ballast, remove the ballast, then simply connect the 2 remaining wires in the machine together. There is also the possibility that there is an in-line RF filter that has gone bad. Look at the wire from the machine going to the ballast, If it has an extra device plugged in before the ballast, eliminate it and plug in directly. I would bypass the ballast regardless since it is not needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Since you have a LED light, just bypass the ballast. Snip the 2 wires going to the ballast, remove the ballast, then simply connect the 2 remaining wires in the machine together. There is also the possibility that there is an in-line RF filter that has gone bad. Look at the wire from the machine going to the ballast, If it has an extra device plugged in before the ballast, eliminate it and plug in directly. I would bypass the ballast regardless since it is not needed. Some LED replacement lights require only the removal of the starter and they then power the light with the ballast so if he cuts the ballast out he'll have no power to the light at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvending Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 On National machines you need to by-pass the ballast. Unplug it from the harness. Then splice the 2red wires together. Also remove the starter(round cylinder piece) at eh end of light fixture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lacanteen Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Some LED replacement lights require only the removal of the starter and they then power the light with the ballast so if he cuts the ballast out he'll have no power to the light at all. If you continued to read, after removing the ballast connect the 2 remaining wires together. This will provide the 110VAC needed to run the light. I have done this hundreds of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCOTT1963 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 With an electronic ballast it must be bypassed to work properly. Old style ballasts you just use the jumper/starter and install. Also on some machines the jumper/starter that comes with the bulb must be used as well on electronic ballasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexlex Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 ok, I took the easy route and just bought the new kit that will be plug-and-play (see above for link). I don't have alot of time right now and I figured I can play around with the kit I remove and put it on another machine eventually. The seller assured me it will work with this machine as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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