How to Replace a Fluorescent Light Ballast

[@mukeshcontractor2830]

Thanks - this is the only video of yours guide to similar light fixture with 2 circular lights . Thanks a lot Buddy .

[@retroryan838]

I like your bathroom. Those floral designs that go around the bathroom is cute.

[@drezzler314]

This was incredibly helpful, just finished a successful installation, thank you so much for posting such a great video breaking down how to install a new ballast!

[@jadeceles9400]

This was a great video! Would you make a video on how we can replace the circline fluorescent fixture and install a circular led light? Not just replace the bulb, but how to rewire and bypass the ballast. Thank you!

[@bskeel95019]

Thanks. Saved me beaucoup bucks by doing this myself. Thank you!

[@Ticky66MN]

You're doing a great job with your channel. I'm amazed at how many of your videos/projects relate to something I could/should do in my own home. I have a fluorescent light fixture in my shop that is not working that I'll have to look into. Now I have a little more confidence to see what I can do. Thank you!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Thanks Ticky66MN I really appreciate your comments. I love videos and think they're super helpful with DIY. You made my day by saying you feel more confident to this repairs yourself. That's really what I'm trying to accomplish - make people feel not so afraid of doing their own repairs. I know can be overwhelming but you can always reach out to me :)

[@SnowLine714]

My gosh how did you learn about this ? I'm so thankful I found your page life saver.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

+SnowLine714 glad it helped

[@TotalMishap]

What? Just do it. That's how you learn.

[@jbbartkowiak]

I agree you're rockin' it Jeff. (I gave you a good shout on the blog yesterday on the exact same thing that Ticky says). esp. enjoying the graphics added to vid and the transitions. Side note: replaced many a ballast in my day, but right now battling a fluorescent light in my own laundry. it took me a looong time to match the ballast -- finally did replace it ... and nope. haven't had a chance to circle back and proceed any further along with troubleshooting. wah wah.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Thanks jb bartkowiak - I have a question for you. Did you buy your ballast directly from the manufacturer or at a local store? I'd like to replace this replacement ballast with the OEM version instead of the magnetic one I got at the Depot. It's DRIVING ME NUTS!!! I meant to call GE today but didn't have time, errr, I mean I had to hang Christmas lights.

[@jbbartkowiak]

Jeff Patterson I love those "cloud" lights ... on my wife's call I put this fancy low profile Europe thing in our laundry room. and of course I started with the bulb which was almost as difficult to correctly identifying as the ballast. I could find the light's part sheet online (but in my case - I couldn't find the part) the replacement part had been replaced, ha! and they don't do the best with presenting replacement ballasts online. It took a while reading a good bit of small print to identify the replacement. To be frank - I did not check at the home center and if I had to do it over I would have went to the supply house.

[@jbbartkowiak]

Jeff Patterson When I was in the field, I was actually hired one time just to replace out the magnetic ballasts in a whole house to electronic. flicker and hum. good luck. and happy holidays.

[@barbarahinke3307]

Thank you, you just save me from a migraine.......!!!

[@michaelhawkyard5855]

3 questions: 1) at the start it was said to "test for power going into the ballast, but it was not said how you do this. 2) the replacement ballast I have bought has 2 wires for connecting, but both are sheathed in white, i.e. it is not apparent which would be live and which neutral. 3) the earth/ground wire is also connected to the old ballast but it is not clear where I connect this wire on the new ballast.

[@bigblue8986]

If i cut the power off to take ballast off to take to home depot to match it up. Can i turn power back on in the meantime with wires just hanging there?

[@prospecial1]

Instead of removing the whole fixture frame to unfasten the wire nuts then re-twist them on to the new wires, which is hard to do with one hand holding the frame ...how about just leaving the frame fastened to the ceiling.... then cut the old wires from the old ballast and fastening them with wire nuts to the new ballast wires. Easy peasy.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Thanks Prospecial1 for adding your tips

[@jalvaro3128]

Thanks for the video. I never had any issues with the fixture. I replaced the light bulbs after which the lights would not turn on. I had this fixture for over 10 years. Assume the ballast is bad?

[@alonsoquesada1136]

Thanks Jimmy Fallon for the tutorial

[@somethingelse4878]

In the UK replacing with a led panel do I remove the ballast

[@lucidreams58]

My fixture is rectangular in shape....same process?? Also, new bulbs flicker so I am quite sure I need a new ballast. Do you know if the ballast is the same type as the fixture in your video?

[@dangvideo]

Good video..Do you have a video on replacing a ballast on a 24" x 24" ceiling light with 2 u shaped tubes" We have a dropped ceiling with ceiling tiles and several of these fixtures - not sure how to get to the ballast? Hope that makes sense.

[@retroryan838]

Do you have an example of replacing a fluorescent ballast on a stovetop? I have an oven from 1967 that needs its ballast replaced.

[@ChiMetalHed]

What is the model for that fixture caled?

[@keithgorman6019]

just watched your video on replacing fluro ballast, I have 4ft atlas fitting that I changed the ballast to a Philips due to annoying buzzing some 30 odd years ago. now I intend to convert to LED as the fitting is in good condition. you purchase LED tube and "starter" switch kit. would you know if "starter" is for looks or functional. I was a wannabe electrician but can't do heights.

[@jaytaylor7740]

Jeff, I was hoping you'd show us how to splice the wires together one-handed, as you appeared be doing while holding the frame with the other hand.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Jay Taylor wish I could have done that, my hands were already a bit full :D

[@jaytaylor7740]

Jeff Patterson lol Thanks, Jeff.

[@murdomaclean4991]

Don't magnetic ballests requir a starter ?

[@jimmaglalang1750]

Hello Jeff, can i use any kind of electronic ballast or it should be the same exact kind of what i currently have?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

+Jim Maglalang take the old ballast to the store and match the specs 👍

[@jimmaglalang1750]

thank you.

[@RixTTube]

How can you reattach the wires and hold the fixture up without having three or four hands?

[@beausmith9050]

Zip tie it to the ceiling

[@danielramotowski5187]

Magnetic ballasts are not bad. They tend to outlive the electronic ballasts.

[@retroryan838]

I like the hum they make. When I was little inside of a shoe store, I liked it when I was alone and all I could hear the the hum from the fluorescents.

[@mangusmaclean3616]

How do you install a 4ft fluorescent fixture ?

[@xoltron_5]

Can you still buy those circular Fluorescent fixtures anymore?

[@RixTTube]

Sure. Look online if you can't find it in your big box store. What might be hard to find are the thinner ones. (e.g. T5's)

[@chrisdavis8830]

Magnetic ballasts don't cut off as well as electronic ones. Some have caused fires due to over heating.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

You're so right Chris Davis - go with electronic ballasts instead of magnetic ones, they're way better. Thanks for your comment :)

[@RobertRoberts329]

In 2019-2020 if you’re going through all this trouble anyway, why not just replace with a standard socket and LED. Never need to worry about Bali’s again.

[@PinkAshes77]

anyone have any idea how to replace the ballast in a ring light? my florescent ring light turns on for about 2 secs only then turns off, company wont help.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Sorry to hear that PinkAshes77. I'd turn off the electricity and take a look at the light's ballast. Then take a picture of the current wiring before doing anything else, that way you have a reference. Remove the old ballast and take it to a home store to see if they have a replacement. Light stores also are a great resource.

[@PinkAshes77]

awesome, thank you for replying

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Always happy to help

[@xoltron_5]

Can you still buy those circle line Fluorescent fixtures anymore?

[@bbygrlpt2]

Xirexter Yea I live in NyC all apartment kitchens use that

[@Abhishek-C92]

electronic ballasts are junk,uses cheaper cap and resistors and they die in maybe 2 to 2.5 years,and my magnetic one still running strong after 5 years.no hum noise.

[@1voiceofstl]

it woiuld be cheaper to buy a new LED fixture

[@mangusmaclean3616]

How do you install a 4ft fluorescent fixture ?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

I'm not sure about your specific fixture MAngus Maclean but typically fixtures need a junction box. You'll have to follow the specific directions but it's not a hard project.

[@mangusmaclean3616]

Jeff Patterson it is 4ft fixture, I just want know how to add one to a house.

[@mangusmaclean3616]

Jeff Patterson why are electronic ballests better ?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

I can't remember all the specifics MAngus Maclean but will vouch that electronic ballasts trigger the light to come on a lot quicker than magnetic ballasts. No doubt someone will give you a better explanation :D