After 20+ years of use, my family's first compact fluorescent lamp finally died. To mark the occasion, I de-soldered the terminal leads and took some photos of the (likely working) ballast:

http://s7.postimg.org/fodbb1u8n/Capacitor_Views.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/fodbb1u8n/)http://s10.postimg.org/ogh1htxd1/Top_View.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/ogh1htxd1/)http://s14.postimg.org/jcvby0gzx/Resistor_View.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/jcvby0gzx/)http://s27.postimg.org/spm83hs0f/Transistor_Side.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/spm83hs0f/)

Not long after this light went out, my bedroom CFL failed. In comparison, it was only 4 years old!

After 20+ years of use, my family's first compact fluorescent lamp finally died. To mark the occasion, I de-soldered the terminal leads and took some photos of the (likely working) ballast:

http://s7.postimg.org/fodbb1u8n/Capacitor_Views.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/fodbb1u8n/)http://s10.postimg.org/ogh1htxd1/Top_View.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/ogh1htxd1/)http://s14.postimg.org/jcvby0gzx/Resistor_View.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/jcvby0gzx/)http://s27.postimg.org/spm83hs0f/Transistor_Side.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/spm83hs0f/)

Not long after this light went out, my bedroom CFL failed. In comparison, it was only 4 years old!
I've used the electrolytics from them, when I knew they failed prematurely, or the lamp was broken.
22mfd@ 200 volts.

It's so clean. No glue. The terminals are even wire wrapped.

put a new bulb in it

make it work for another 20 years

put a new bulb in it

make it work for another 20 years

When they're turned on and left on, they'll last for many years.
I have three, that are left on continuousy, for around eight years. The last time they were off was the last power failure.
These are the inexpensive brand on sale at Aldi's. :scratch2:

22mfd@ 200 volts.

But, this one uses a 47uF (200V).

It's so clean. No glue. The terminals are even wire wrapped.

There's even a heat sink for the 2SC3972. It had a ~$20 MSRP for a reason!

But, this one uses a 47uF (200V).



There's even a heat sink for the 2SC3972. It had a ~$20 MSRP for a reason!

It's a better quality unit all around.
The ones made now have mostly surface mount components, not the 'lytics of course.
Most fluorescent lamps will last a long time, if not turned on and off, too frequently. True with most electric discharge lighting.

Well made. I see what looks like a cracked coil ?
There are 2 blue ones side by side. It also has a 145 degree thermal
fuse in there.
My house was full of these when I bought it. I couldnt use
an AM radio so they all went to the dump. Switched to
the 130 V hard service bulbs ( still avaliable in all wattages ).
If nothing else it gives the finger to the government & GE.

73 Zeno:smoke:

I see what looks like a cracked coil ?
There are 2 blue ones side by side.

Good eye. It's cracked, but still has good continuity.

It also has a 145 degree thermal
fuse in there.

Still good, too! :)

I take mine apart after they quit to see what failed.I find the transistors blown apart in some and some diodes fried.I haven't see any caps blown apart in them yet.

I love the old ones like the Panasonic in the OP.I have some Philips/Sylvania bulbs that I purchased about 21 years ago and a couple still work.The current crop of bulbs are terrible and lucky to get 2 years out of them. the heat kills them.