SMC Discussion Areas

Does anyone know the florescent bulb size behind the light up panel on a v63.  I am going to look at a machine tomorrow and I was going to take one with me if I could find it.

Also are the bulbs hard to get to in the machine?

Its a T12 14 inch bulb.... very hard to find here in the usual places such as Home Depot, but found a source through an electrical supply company that had counter sales...

Chris

I've found them at HD a few times... I guess I just got lucky??  :oh:

I think it depends where you are... I was able to find 12, 15, 17, 18 and 24 inch, but for some reason, not 14 inch... drove all over town  :darn:

Are they easy to get to on the machine?  If I replace the bulb and the light still does not come one can I assume that fixing the light will be somewhat painless?  Thanks for the replies!

Do you know the wattage of the bulb?  Is it a 14 watt and 14 in length?  Thanks.

it should be a 14w bulb.... access instructions here..

http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,1628.0.html

Chris

just match the number on the end of the lamps tube,  typically F14T12/CW ( 14 watt /T12 size (refers to the diameter/tubular size of the lamp) CW=cool white (color/temperature) although you may find a F14T8/CW (same length & wattage, but smaller in diameter) do not use it as it will damage the ballast) however you can substitute a F13T12/CW

FYI... the 14-inch length is measured from the total length of the lamp ( ends of the pins on the right to the ends of the pins on the left of the lamps tube) NOT across the aluminum end caps.  or if you have a florescent lamp fixture that needs an unknown lamp size, just measure the inside spacing between the sockets ( also known as the "tombstones" ) & round it up to the nearest length.

After reading this thread today, I opened my "Style Star" V63  because I need to replace the fluorescent tube.  The distance between the sockets (inside edge to inside edge) is, if I recall correctly, slightly over 14".  The tube that was already installed appears to be 15" (from end cap to end cap it measures approximately 14.25" and with the pins, it appears to be slightly over 14.75").  I'm fairly certain my measurements aren't perfectly accurate, but it seems that the tube is more than 14".

I am not certain, but it looks like the socket brackets are bent (only slightly) outward.  I don't think that they are bent out enough to make a 14" fluorescent tube setup accommodate a 15" tube, but I may be wrong.  Is it possible that this machine was actually set up to take a 15" tube?  The machine does not appear to have been "tampered" with in any way.

I am hoping someone can help me out so I don't wind up trying to put the wrong tube in the machine.

        Take the old tube with you and match it up with a new one.

http://www.1000bulbs.com

I foubnd them while loooking for a better price than the  $15 a  tube Jukebox  parts shops were asking for 31" fluorescents. Trust me, Lowes, Ace, Home depot  don't carry  them

Their prices are great, never had an issue  with damaged goods, and lo, $2.35  for a F-14T12CW


http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/2839/F-14T12CW.html

Home Depot has them on the shelf.

 I buy them at Ace all day long . And everything to rebuild the light kit .

I took my old fluorescent tube with me to Lowe's/Home Depot today to compare it to the 15" tubes there... my old tube was a 15".  So, I bought a new tube and took it home to install in my machine.  Naturally, it didn't want to light up.  It glowed at the ends, but would never arc all the way across.  If I rotate the tube slowly, I was able to have a moment where the tube lit all the way across.  But as quickly as it lit, it would quit.  So, I decided to check the starter.  There was an FS-5 installed, but according to the starter it was not intended for a 14 watt bulb.  So, I made another trip to Lowe's to purchase a new starter.  I came home with an FS-2 that indicates it is for a 14 - 20 watt bulbs in 15", among other, lengths.  I plugged in the new starter, but my bulb's performance is only marginally better.  It will light up further across the tube but will not arc all the way across.  Again, if I rotate the bulb slowly I find a point at which the bulb arcs all the way across.  Now, however, it will remain on for several seconds before it begins to flicker and eventually goes out.  :darn: If I allow the bulb to remain in the position where it only lights part way across from each of the ends it will remain on (in a continually flickering, partially lit condition).

Do I need to replace the ballast?

I would replace the ballast also. They are on the shelf at Lowes as well.