53 Converting a fluorescent fixture to auto-start
Description
This article is from the Aquaria: Plants FAQ, by multiple authors.
53 Converting a fluorescent fixture to auto-start
Many older or cheaper fluorescent fixtures require you to hold down a
pushbutton for a few seconds to turn it on, thus preventing you from
plugging it into a timer. You can convert such a fixture into an
auto-starting model by clipping two wires and buying two new parts.
You need a starter, a little gray can-like thing found in any hardware
store. Make sure to buy the correct one for your size bulb; they say
which is right on the package. You also need to buy a socket for the
starter, or find some way to attach the wires directly to the two
terminals on the starter. The sockets can sometimes be hard-to-find,
but big hardware stores might have them, and mail-order fish suppliers
(MOPS, for instance) can sell you both parts as a kit. Refer to the
diagram below:
line switch line plug
\ Hot wire /-----|
+------------ballast-------------o \____________/ |--- -> smaller plug
| --\ |----- -> longer plug
| --------- | \-----|
| ----------------|starter|---------------+ +-----------------------+
| | --------- | |
| | +---------------------+ |
| | | |Neutral
| | |-----------------------------------------------------| | |Wire
| +---| |---+ |
| | light tube | |
+------| |--------+
|-----------------------------------------------------|
The two leads you want to connect to the starter are connected to the
pushbutton; usually they're red. Clip them at the pushbutton and
attach to the starter socket. That's all!
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