My mother-in-law has a weird problem. Her fluorescent fixtures will not work if it is too humid. Any ideas?

Question

These are recessed, four tube fixtures in a dropped ceiling in her half-finished basement. The traditional open-style, two tube fixtures in the workshop are always fine. When it dries out, the enclosed lights also work fine. This has been going on for 2 years now and nobody can figure it out. The recessed fixtures and open fixtures are on different switches, but the swithces are in the same box.

Answer 1

i would think the ballast are bad.
Try the cheaper option: get a new tube.
If that does not fix it, try and replace the ballast.
Any it still fails, you'll have to divorce so it's not your mother in law anymore. problem solved :-)

Answer 2

There is 3 possible conditions causing this. 1) The fixtures are not grounded. Many fluorescent fixtures use the grounded metal housing as a starting aid for the arc that starts in the lamps when the light is first turned on. They may work without a ground, but it may be erratic. 2) the ballasts in the fixtures that aren't working right could be on the verge of failure, and the humidity has penetrated the ballast and is affecting it's performance. 3) If the enclosure where the fixtures are gets hot, most newer class P ballasts have a self-resetting temperature limiter in them which may be shutting them off until they cool down. This condition is made worse when fixtures are installed in an enclosure with no free moving air, and worse yet if the housing has no air space between it and the surface it is mounted to. a 1/4" shim under the fixture often helps this. In my personal experience, I have had numerous fluorescent fixtures fail where humidity and infrequent use were a factor. Also, avoid leaving burned out lamps in the fixture for long periods of time. Replace or at least remove them promptly. Good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 3

Check to make sure that the fixture is properly grounded. If it is then try a new ballast, it is old and sensitive to humidity, time for a new ballast. Also when you change the ballast you should also change the tubes at the same time.

Answer 4

We all choose the life we live. If your mother in law is unhappy with her husband and life then she can do something about it. She is upset because her husband would never fold or do laundry and her son is doing it for you. This is what is upsetting her that another woman is being treated better then her and her son is the man. I would tell hubby that you no longer can live with his mom. If he is not ready to leave the nest then get out now before you spend the next 20 + years battling with his mother. A child is not responsible to fix the marriage of their parents no matter how old they are. If you mother in law is unhappy she will change it.

Answer 5

We found out that they need to be grounded and in high humidity she may need to seal the connections to prevent moisture build up We were told kitchens and laundry rooms and garages were all areas where we would need to seal our connections with electrical tape or "dolphins" "aka "beanies" aka "watertight splices" Please note it also stopped the high pitched humming and reduced delayed start up. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

the tubes need to be removed and cleaned with soap and water. when they get dirty static electricity will travel from one to the other.