Is a ballast hard to change out????

Light in kitchen went out this morning. Went to Lowe's and got new bulbs and it still won't come on. Guy told me ballast went bad on it. Can someone on here give me a quick crash course on changing it? Thanks

ballasts have gotten so high priced now that you might as well just get a new light fixture

Change out ballasts....be sure you get the right ballast....most of them wire in....with four color coded wires...its no big deal

CUT WIRES , TAKE TO LOWES , FIND MATCH , REPLACE . GET WIRE NUTS TO RECONNECT WIRES . WHEN YOU CUT OUT OLD BALLAST BE SURE TO LEAVE WIRES LONG (CUT NEXT TO OLD BALLAST ). SO EASY EVEN A GEWBER CAN DO IT !:Rofl

Like G said new lights are cheaper than ballast today.

If it is a T12 4 lamp good luck on finding a ballast. My in-laws finally had to purchase the T8 because apparently they are phasing out the T12 4 lamp. Went to Lowes, Home Depot and Locke Supply. They still have the T12 2 lamp though. New ballast for T8 4 lamp = $20, new 4 lamp fixture = $60 -70. Ballast are cheaper.

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Originally Posted by "G"

ballasts have gotten so high priced now that you might as well just get a new light fixture

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Got that right its easier to replace the fixture just changed one got one more to go.

Turn the lights out before you cut those wires

No matter what else be sure to make sure the POWER IS OFF before cutting any wires!!!!!

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Originally Posted by DrNip

If it is a T12 4 lamp good luck on finding a ballast. My in-laws finally had to purchase the T8 because apparently they are phasing out the T12 4 lamp. Went to Lowes, Home Depot and Locke Supply. They still have the T12 2 lamp though. New ballast for T8 4 lamp = $20, new 4 lamp fixture = $60 -70. Ballast are cheaper.

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depends on the lights and which ballast....on the two lamp 8 footers I have in my shop....I can buy a new light cheaper. I have a two lamp short light in my kitchen....same thing there too.

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Originally Posted by satdoc1

No matter what else be sure to make sure the POWER IS OFF before cutting any wires!!!!!

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throw the breaker, If its on a 3 way switch you never know for sure if your turning it off or on

Thought make sure the POWER IS OFF meant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by clfarms1

throw the breaker, If its on a 3 way switch you never know for sure if your turning it off or on

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theysaidtheysaidtheysaid

I know that, and you know that, but not everyone in the world knows that what you meant. I just wanted to make sure it was off, didnt want any accidents at christmas time or anytime for that matter.

Thanks for the responses guys. I just cut the old one off, took it to Lowe's to find the right one and wired the new one back up. Easier than I thought.