4 foot 36w flurescent light?

Question

hi can anyone help me here i just bought myself 2 - 36w 4 foot fluorescent lights for a shed, but is it normal for them to make a noise when you turn them on? ,as when i switch them on they make a weird noise when the first come on and they also make a low humming noise too. the brand is called focus lighting

(sold at Bunnings warehouse stores)

Answer 1

for a shed aye?

find some better lights, bunnings just doesn't cut it.

Answer 2

Yes, the humming is normal. The only problem with these lites is when it gets cold. The lites will not come on or if they do they will be dim until they warm up. There is made a cold weather version but they are much more expensive.

Answer 3

Humming is very common with some fluorescent lighting especially in sheds as they tend to amplify the sound, you also pay for what you get.

Answer 4

Check your ballast.

Answer 5

there should bo no noise once running make sure the ballast ( the heavy bit) is tight and not vibrating if stressed take em back and change and there is no differance between cheepies and dear ones but go aussie and buy hpm but there still made in china or where ever its cheaper. and make sure the starter is a s10 not a universal one

Answer 6

Yes fluorescent lights can make some funny sounds starting up, especially if they have starters (which emit this clicking sound).  A low hum when on is normal also.

Answer 7

This sounds like you got some older or cheaper fixtures that have magnetic ballasts. With a magnetic ballast you will experience some of these issues especially with the cheaper or bargin brand products. They are cheaper because they use cheaper parts to produce their products. The other thing that sort of has me baffled is the 36W bulbs? Are you sure about that. Make sure you do have the proper bulbs listed for that fixture for they are very specific to the ballast. If you are in a cold  climate area there is a good chance you will experience problems with them as most flourescents have a minimum temp. rating. I would try and return them and purchase a HO rated fixture with an electronic ballast. They are rated for cold weather and will not give you the problems that you currently have. spend a few bucks more for a quality one not a cheap one at the big retail stores. It is worth the few extra dollars.