question about electric stuff

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I have a light (with an AC adapter), and whenever I turn it on, it works fine for a few minutes, then it starts flickering. It does not turn off but constantly flickers. Does anyone know what's wrong? I took the light fixture apart to make sure all the connections and soldering are good, and they are.

 

[PSPookie]

I have a light (with an AC adapter), and whenever I turn it on, it works fine for a few minutes, then it starts flickering. It does not turn off but constantly flickers. Does anyone know what's wrong? I took the light fixture apart to make sure all the connections and soldering are good, and they are.

Is is a flourescent fixture? If so, the balast might need to be replaced.

 

[AmazingGracePlayer]

Yes, it's a compact fluorescent light. Is the ballast the big thing that you plug into the power outlet?

 

[Jimbob Jones]

Try soaking it overnight.

 

[AmazingGracePlayer]

Here's a picture of my light

 

[Jimbob Jones]

Seriously though, I'd try a new bulb in there, and if it still flickers, get a new wall wart.

Also, I'm not sure I like the look of all those wires hanging out...

 

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I got a new bulb, and it does the same thing. I took the fixture apart to see if there are any loose connections, but haven't put it back together yet.

 

[dbhokie]

Ballast. Likely a little rectangular plastic controller box underneath that white plastic covering next to your bulbs.

 

[Relic]

ballast. I have fluorescent lighting in my basement and practice area and had 2 of them go bad since we've been living here. Replacing the ballast fixed both - same symptoms as yours both times.

 

[fhm555]

Everything you ever wanted to know about flickering fluorescent lights...and what to do about it.

Fluorescent Light Fixture And Tube Troubleshooting and Repair

 

[AmazingGracePlayer]

But there's no ballast on my light fixture like the ones in the pictures in the 2 links posted in this thread. Is the ballast just the big thing with the plugs?

 

[fhm555]

It may not have any user serviceable parts.

I use several cheap under cabinet fluorescent lights in my shop with no replaceable ballast or starter. If they start to flicker and a new bulb fails to fix it, it's time to replace the fixture. I've thought about going with something a bit more substantial, but they only run around ten bucks and usually last a couple years, so I just replace them when they go bad. It takes all of 2~3 minutes to swap one out.

 

[Absentia]

Reenforcing the bad ballast idea but something else.

In the picture the ballast is actually on the bulb it's self so what could be happening (as with a few fixtures in my house) the voltage might fluctuate or plain just not be right a bit causing compact fourecents to not work right (or something to that effect).

 

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I'll probably be better off just getting a new light and fixture.

 

[Muzoid]

Anyone who has ever been in a school, hospital, institution etc, knows that old FL bulbs can flicker.

My money is on 'it's the bulb'