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I live in a 1940's Cape Cod and the light fixture in the ceiling has to have a pull switch. I needed more light that the original fixture (2 60 watt bulbs) provided so I found a flourescent fixture (there just aren't ANY pull chain ceiling fixtures that hold more than 2 60 watt bulbs made) and my neighbor drilled a hole in the end and we put in a pull chain switch. Worked great. The fixture finally died and I found another flourescent fixture and we drilled the hole and put in the switch. However my neighbor is going on 90 and between the first fixture and this one - he forgot how to wire it. I put the switch in the single wire end of the fixture - didn't work. Then we drilled a hole at the other end and I put the switch in one of the loop wires. Now the fixture turns "off" to half brightness. It is either on or half on - never off. Can anyone help me figure this out?
You need to be switching the hot supply wire before the ballast or starter. Think of it as if you had a separate switch or a separate box with a pull chain switch. Where the power comes in, there should be a black wire and a white wire. Switch the black wire right there. If the black wire gets disconnected, then it cannot be "half on".
I don't know what wire you actually did end up switching and I would not want to speculate on that. Experts on fluorescent lighting could probably tell you. But clearly it was the wrong wire. And it's really moot; the correct wire needs to be switched.
Is this a traditional (flicker start) start, rapid start, or instant start?
I looked at the instructions and it doesn't say what kind of starter it is. It holds 2 T8 bulbs - if that is any help. I took a picture of the wires coming out of the ceiling and the ballast. This house has BX wiring - I'm sure that means something - I just don't know what. Am I understand what you said - that I need to put the switch in the black wire that now goes from the wire in the ceiling to the wire in the ballast?
HaPpy DaNcE! I have light again in my kitchen! Thank you Sooooo much for your help. Now I have to go clean the kitchen because after a month with no light - it is - well - you know.
