Why does my fluorescent light fixture take minutes to turn on in high heat and humidity?

Question

Our kitchen fixture won't come on for 3 to 5 minutes when the temperature goes over 90F (32.2C) and 90% humidity. It flickers and only reaches 80% brightness after that. It will occasionally flicker in lower, but still warm temperatures. It is fine below 60F (~15C).

I have tried replacing the tubes using both standard and ES tubes.

We rarely get above 90F(32.2C) without going over 90% humidity so I can't tell if it is the heat or the humidity causing the issue.

Answer 1

By the sound of things you must be using the older ballastics with a starter plug. These ballastasts cause flickering of the bulb and this cosntant flickering causes damage to the ballast it self.

The ballast has to generate a very highvoltage to "spark" the tube. Once the tube is glowing the ballast can relax and give a constant power output. The state between changing from high out put to regulated is very stessfull for the components and the starter plug is also responsible for handling this change.

Tubes need to be replaced every 12-24 months because the gas inside the tube looses it health properties even though it still emits light. So technically it becomes bad for your eyes because it starts to produce unwanted uv light.

I would suggest removeing the olld light fitting and buying a new one and INSIST on an electronic ballast. The electronic ballast does not need any starter plugs and handles the initial output voltage much better. It does not cause flickering(but if there is a problem it just does not turn on) These ballasts MUST match the wattage of the tubes. Higher or lower wattage will result in shortened life of the tube or not turn on at all.

The electornic ballast will not be influenced by humidity or temperature that much. It just runs.

The differences...

Answer 2

Fluorescent bulbs use a hermetic seal, which means no humidity will penetrate the bulb itself. This seal is necessary to keep the toxic mercury vapor from leaking out into the environment.

Humidity can cause corrosion of the metal fixtures on the ends of a fluorescent bulb, impeding its ability to transmit electricity. The corrosion is easily avoidable by purchasing a weatherproof fluorescent bulb, as they are resistant to corrosion.

Excess buildup of condensation on the outside of the bulb can cause it to take longer to turn on. The temperature difference on the glass negatively affects the delicate process within. Wiping the condensation off the bulb and waiting for five minutes will remedy the problem in most situations. Additionally, purchasing a weatherproof fluorescent bulb will avoid the problem altogether.