# Flourescent Lamp Holder Replacement question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 28, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549 "2008-02-28T20:35:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/1 "2008-02-28T20:35:56Z")
I’ve got some Florescent Lamp Holders I need to replace. They are T8 Bi-Pin pushthrough holders. I’ve been to many places and can’t seem to find a replacement. I called the manufacturer of the equipment they are in and they are having a problem finding a replacement as well. Anyways, I finally found one that has the same form factor but the wiring is a bit different. In the original peice there are a two wires come from the ballast and one wire goes to each side of the holder, so a total of four wires per lamp, one to each contact. The new ones have two holes, but they are both on the same side of the socket, they are desgined to wire a hot wire into one hole, then in the other hole would be a wire that goes to the next socket. So can I just use one of the leads and terminate the other on each end of the bulb? Does this all make sense? ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/2 "2008-02-28T21:08:43Z")
Just because the two wire come out of the same side of the socket does not mean that they connect to the same contact. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/3 "2008-02-28T21:23:23Z")
[QUOTE=Will Repair] Just because the two wire come out of the same side of the socket does not mean that they connect to the same contact. [/QUOTE] They do on this one, I can tell for two reasons, 1)I can see where they touch the same contact 2)I took these from another light fixture, on that fixture, one wire came from the ballast to the socket, then a wire came out of the first socket and went to the second socket. But like I said, I can see that they are connected internally. ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/4 "2008-02-28T21:49:19Z")
Okay, just wanted to make sure. [Try here for more information.](http://members.misty.com/don/f-lamp.html#wd) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/5 "2008-02-28T22:33:48Z")
[QUOTE=Will Repair] Okay, just wanted to make sure. [Try here for more information.](http://members.misty.com/don/f-lamp.html#wd) [/QUOTE] Well now I’ve got another question…If you look at some of the schematics, you’ll see two wires of the same color going to a bulb, they appear connected inside the bulb, on the schematic that I’ve got on my ballast it’s the same, a red wire comes from the ballast, goes into and out of the bulb and back to the ballast. So is that all one wire? Is it plausable that two wires are used to insure a good connection? And if so, would I be safe only hooking up one of the wires? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/6 "2008-02-28T22:43:56Z")
As seen here [![](https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/ballast.jpg) ](https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/ballast.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/7 "2008-02-29T15:37:26Z")
Bump for the morning crew. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/8 "2008-02-29T15:47:43Z")
The wires are connected to a “pre heater” inside the bulb (a filament). The polarity of the wires isn’t important. So, no, it’s not one wire. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/9 "2008-02-29T16:13:43Z")
[QUOTE=beowulff] The wires are connected to a “pre heater” inside the bulb (a filament). The polarity of the wires isn’t important. So, no, it’s not one wire. [/QUOTE] That makes sense, as these are in a cooler/freezer. I guess I’m back to square one. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/10 "2008-02-29T17:04:47Z")
Have you tried an appliance parts store? They have all kinds of resources for finding things… ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/11 "2008-02-29T17:19:03Z")
[QUOTE=beowulff] Have you tried an appliance parts store? They have all kinds of resources for finding things… [/QUOTE] I’ve tried Home Depot, Lowes, Grainger, three electrical supply houses (one that specalizes in lights) and the OEM. I’m still coming up with nothing. There is one appliance parts store, I’ll have to try now that you mention it. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/12 "2008-02-29T19:10:53Z")
No luck, the appliacnce store (it’s called “100,000 parts”) didn’t have it either. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/13 "2008-02-29T19:15:18Z")
That must be the 100,001st part :smack: Can you scan it and post a link? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/14 "2008-02-29T19:18:38Z")
Uploading to photobucket, will be a few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/15 "2008-02-29T19:25:50Z")
> **[Photo Storage](https://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/lights/)** > > Store your photos and videos online with secure storage from Photobucket. Available on iOS, Android and desktop. Securely backup your memories and sign up today! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/16 "2008-02-29T20:24:41Z")
Those _are_ strange sockets… If you’re unable to find an exact replacement, maybe you can fashion a lamp holder, and just use Molex-type connectors on the ends of the wire, and just push them onto the pins of the lamp. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/17 "2008-02-29T20:26:12Z")
Everyone keeps saying that, what is so strange about them? Other then the twist lock part of it, they seem standard looking to my untrained eye. Other then that, your idea might work. I’ll work on that idea. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/18 "2008-02-29T20:44:05Z")
Ahhh, this idea might work. Here’s a picture I found of a similar setup in another cooler. The piece of plastic below it keeps the light from sliding down and the lens cover keeps it from falling out, this might work. [![](https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/light5.jpg) ](https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/light5.jpg) Now I just have to find _those_ connecters. Any idea if they have a name. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-lamp-holder-replacement-question/439549/19 "2008-03-01T02:06:36Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] Ahhh, this idea might work. Here’s a picture I found of a similar setup in another cooler. The piece of plastic below it keeps the light from sliding down and the lens cover keeps it from falling out, this might work. [http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/light5.jpg](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/light5.jpg) Now I just have to find _those_ connecters. Any idea if they have a name. [/QUOTE] DigiKey sells loads of crimp-on connectors of various diameters. Measure the diameter of the pins, and be prepared to spend some time decoding the catalog. You need to look in the Molex or Amp connector section…