Fluorescent Bulbs and machine vibration

[EBCraig]

I have a Millie that lives on the second floor of my home.  The first floor under this area (including a laundry room and a large closet) has long fluorescent lightbulbs that are mounted on the ceiling.  We seem to go through an unusual number of lightbulbs in these fixtures.  Has anyone else noticed this in their homes or studios?  Does the vibration of the machine have an effect on the life of the bulbs?

[Cagey]

Vibration is normally more of an issue with incandescent bulbs, as they have filaments that glow to produce the light.  This is why in the garage, you purchase tough bulbs that have stronger filaments in hand held lights.

With fluorescent bulbs, electric passing through a mercury vapor which generates the light as it bounces against the phosphor powder coating on the inside of the bulb.  Fluorescent bulbs are designed to be turned on and to stay on for longer lengths than incandescent bulbs.  Being turned on and off repeatedly shortens their lifespan.  

If the problem is only one fixture, then the probable culprit may be a bad ballast(s) which is what generates the power for the fluorescent bulb to operate.  Here is a link on how to change the ballasts in a 4 bulb fixture, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTTbFUQlqxw.  

If you have four bulbs in your fixture, and it is the same two bulbs burning out, it may direct you to the bad ballast, as a ballast normally only powers two bulbs.  Though there are ballasts that power four bulbs.

Check the price of a new fixture verses the price of the ballast(s), as it may be less expensive to replace the entire fixture than repairing the old one.  Here is a link showing how to install a new light fixture.  Since you are replacing a fixture, you may not need to use the toggle bolts in the video,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uZfsMNdymw

 

Ballasts pricing  https://www.homedepot.com/s/fluorescent%20ballast?NCNI-5

Fixture pricing https://www.homedepot.com/s/fluorescent%20light%20fixture?NCNI-5