Since I don't know what to call it and have tried several iterations of what I THINK would pull one up - I didn't find anything to suit my needs.

The ring lamp has a ballast base. In the ring lamp itself there's a single button. You push and hold it and it heats the filaments in the ring light. When you release the switch the lamp fully illuminates. Press the button again and you shut it off.

I need to replace that switch. Don't know if it's possible to pull it apart and clean it up and reinstall it. Will look into that while waiting on parts for another project; one I WILL need the ring lamp working properly.

P.S. are the lamps themselves supposed to get that hot? Hot to the touch, not too hot to hold.

 

Hello,

Can you replace the fluorescent lamp?
If so , you could install a led replacement:
https://davidjb.com/blog/2014/07/pr...ment-lighting-for-circular-fluorescent-tubes/
The led rings seem to be available in different sizes.
Amazon shows these:
https://www.amazon.com/Circline-Circular-Replacement-Fluorescent-Required/dp/B07P3VH79G?th=1

Bertus

 

There are LED replacement bulbs that use the conventional fluorescent ballast, starter, etc. But there are also replacements that do away with the ballast, etc. and replace it with a DC supply.

 

+1 with replacing with LED version idea!

 

Maybe so. But I'd still like to know what to call that switch.

 

So what do I do? Remove the ballast and directly wire the 110 to a switch then to the lamp?

 

Hello,

The lamps i showed on amazon work from 85 to 277 volts AC , without a balast.

Bertus

 

I take that as a yes?

 

you could get new starter like BP45FS4 (easy to get online or in local hardware store) but i too am in favour of LED

 

The fluorescent lamp is a FC9T9. I take it T9 is the bulb tube diameter. Is the FC9 a reference to the circular diameter of the bulb?

 

BP45FS4

Is that a switch? If so - where did you find that?
What I have is a push button switch that rotates a cam. While holding the button down you also close a set of contacts that heat the filaments. I either need that switch OR I need a push button switch with just two wires that only do ON and OFF. A toggle MIGHT fit. But it doesn't have the start feature like the original push - hold-to-start - release and it's ON. Push again and the cam rotates OFF.

 

Shame too, I just last year bought four of these ring lamp bulbs. Got a good price, but if I can't use them ? ? ?

 

that is a classic starter for fluorescent lamps. that is not the switch you described. it is an automatic starter. the switch you describe seem to be something i have not enountered.

 

that is a classic starter for fluorescent lamps. that is not the switch you described. it is an automatic starter. the switch you describe seem to be something i have not enountered.

There is no starter. The switch does two functions: First it switches power to the lamp. Second, while you hold the switch down contacts close and create a jumper between the filaments causing them to heat up and glow. When you release the switch, because the lamp is switched ON the lamp illuminates. No starter.

Going up stairs to watch TV for a while. I'm tired of all this working and achieving nothing. I have ordered the LED ring lamp and a simple push button switch. Will wire it all up come next Wednesday when parts arrive.

 

Maybe so. But I'd still like to know what to call that switch.

The switch is an "alternate action plus momentary Closed " switch. The ON/OFF section switches the power on and off, while the momentary action section puts the heaters at the ends of the tube in series, so they heat up. That section exactly replaces the starter used in some lights..
If, and only if, the TS is able to determine which part of the switch is the momentary portion for starting, and which is the other section for the ON/off function, it can be easily replaced by a simple toggle switch and a normally open push-button switch.

 

The switch is an "alternate action plus momentary Closed " switch. The ON/OFF section switches the power on and off, while the momentary action section puts the heaters at the ends of the tube in series, so they heat up. That section exactly replaces the starter used in some lights..
If, and only if, the TS is able to determine which part of the switch is the momentary portion for starting, and which is the other section for the ON/off function, it can be easily replaced by a simple toggle switch and a normally open push-button switch.

That's an accurate description of the switch.

Thinking, "Hoping" I could open the switch and clean the contacts" I could refurbish the switch. So I took it apart. Yes, I can determine exactly which part does what. However, there are multiple parts that have to be held in the right place while the top of the switch is put back on. After dozens of attempts to put the switch back together - I failed. A LONG spring and the rotating assembly are just not possible to be put back without some kind of specialized tool, which I don't have.

A replacement switch would have been an easy fix. But since I can't find one - I've ordered a simple single action push button and an LED ring light with two wires. Removed the ballast from the base and direct wired the power cord. Now, when parts get here I can put it all back together with the LED lights. Here's to progress.

 

An LED light will probably also be brighter, I hope that is OK for your application. I wish you success!

 

I could be wrong, but the fluorescent lamps like that which I have seen used a simple pushbutton to heat the filaments. Once warmed, the arc would start. Releasing the switch turned off the filaments, but the arc would sustain until a normally closed switch was activated to remove the AC and break the arc.

 

For those NOT lacking curiosity about the switch:
First Photo The left and center contacts are what switch the light ON and OFF. The right spring bar has two points on it. When you press down on the switch Third Photo you make those two contacts close and put the filaments in series. As for the center and left contacts, they make or break contact via a rotating plastic drum with a cam Second Photo that is activated every time you press down on the switch.
View attachment 357381 View attachment 357382 View attachment 357383
On the white push button you see a small spring loaded tab that engages the cam. All those bits and pieces work as the ON/OFF switch. The right most side of the PB closes the contacts momentarily while the lamp lights.

Putting all that back together is all but impossible without specialized tools.