Fluorescent Tube Light Bulbs for Head Fixtures?

[stormchaser]

I HOPE it's just a dead bulb, but the Fluorescent light in the guest bath slowly stopped working. For a while it was intermetant and would go out if left on too long or would glow dimly. I finally got around to pulling the fixture apart and replaced the 32v side light (regular 32v bulb) and pulled out the tube. The lettering is very hard to read, but I think it says F20T12/CW. Can anyone confirm? Those are standard 120v Straight T12 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulbs, correct?

 

[stormchaser]

P.S. If I am deciphering the numbering right, T12 is the bulb type and 20 is the wattage. Can I put a higher wattage light in? Wifey would LOVE more light for doing her makeup.

 

[Genesis]

NO on the larger wattage - the tube is matched to the ballast. /CW is the color temperature (cool white); you can sub that at will (e.g. warm white if you prefer, etc.)

 

[Maynard Rupp]

When mine did that the bulb was fine but the balast was bad. Kinda' like your dentist telling you that your teeth are fine but your gums have to come out. We bouight a whole new, slightly different, but 12" light fixture. It works great.

 

[Fanfare]

My head fluorescents have both a starter, a little two inch metal can with two Frankenstein stud connectors on the bottom, and a ballast, a large heavy transformer. Both are hidden under the white metal cover beneath the bulb. Each one matches the wattage of the bulb. Each is replaceable. It has been twenty years since my aft ballast went out while the one in the guest head has never caused a problem. I replaced the ballast with one from a good hardware store. It was probably American made. No problems since, so I would fix yours if possible.

I have replaced the fluorescent lamp over my galley sink about six times since then with crummy Home Depot stuff which is not repairable. Some do not even use proper connectors, just solder the wires to the pins. They were cheap at first, but not X 6.

 

[Czanger54]

I replaced mine with an LED bulb that looks like a fluorescent. Fits the same. U just need to eliminate the ballast wire and u r in business

 

[fissioneng]

I took mine out completely and replaced with a 2 incandescent bulb fixture so I could use a dimmer. The flourescents are just too bright for my taste, especially first thing in the AM!