Flourescent tube

wooden wheel · Post by **wooden wheel** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:32 pm

Hi All, How much light should the flourescent tube put out when switched on? Mine was quite dim so I thought I'd change it, I fitted a new one, turned on and bingo! nice and bright as I would have expected. Turned it off then back on and it was the same as the original, and has stayed that way since,not really much use at all.Have I bought a duff tube,or is there a higher wattage tube available in the same length.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:34 pm

Mine is pretty dim as well - nothing like you expect from neon.

Dabs · Post by **Dabs** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:08 pm

Mines quite bright really so I would check any connections to it.It seems strange that after its initial brightness it should go the same way as the old one.Its got to be something simple to fix it.

Dabs

Tur80 · Post by **Tur80** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:06 pm

Had a similar problem on a previous bongo. Turned out to be dry solder joints on the lampholders on the back of the circuit board. About a 15 min job

BPH80 · Post by **BPH80** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:14 pm

my original light went dull after a few months of Bongo ownership.

new replacement tube from Maplins just under £3. now all sorted.

although whilst the guy was lookin on there computer to get one from the stockroom he mentioned they are now Obsolete and only had a few left in my local store.

Ozric · Post by **Ozric** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:21 pm

I got mine from Maplin about 4 weeks ago and they had LOADS ov em!!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:15 pm

My tube behaved similarly. I thought I was going nuts (well I am but thats another story). I've to to take the cover off a few times and fiddle with the tube and each time it comes back bright. Its as though it needs to be sat properly in the fitting and/or tends to get a dry contact. Its been well behaved for several weeks now. Bottom line is it should be bright. Also, dont throw the old tube away. It may well be the fitting all along that has been causing the problem. If so you've got yourself a spare tube

Post by **Simon Jones** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:18 pm

Sometimes, when I open the door, the light can be dimmer than when it's turned on with the switch. I suspect the switch on the door may be slightly high resistance.

twinrider · Post by **twinrider** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:19 am

I would love to be able to switch the flourescent light on and off from the driver's seat. Has anyone mounted a dash switch?

phedders · Post by **phedders** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:15 am

On both Bongos I've bought I've need to clean up at least one of the door switches - easy to do - one screw, pull it out and squirt loads of contact cleaner in, pushing it in and out with full travel. Also squirt the spade conector (both sides) and put it back in.

Getting to the screw for the side door is a little awkward - the door gets in the way, so a stubby or 90 degree screwdriver is helpful!

barleytwist1 · Post by **barleytwist1** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:52 am

Thanks for the tip Mike I've now got a bright light for the first time in 2yrs

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:51 pm

No worries - glad its sorted. Cant resist this one.........ready.......steady.......go:

Always look on the bright side of life
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