Cheap $0.30 Fix for a Broken $30 Bug Zapper
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- I fixed a broken electric bug zapper using a simple part from a common everyday fluorescent light starter. The starter cost only $0.30 and it took a total of 15 minutes to fix.
![[375] How to Repair INSECT KILLER / BUG KILLER / ELECTRONIC BUG ZAPPER](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UXxJRYOkThc/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice fix. I'm glad there are people like yourself that would take the time to repair their things vs just throwing it out and buying a new one. I actually have a Vintage Flowtron bug zapper which is still running strong to this day. It did however have an issue with the HV wires to the grid. One was arcing to the metal case so I took some fish tank tubing and wrapped the wire and secured with small zip ties and it works great to this day. the tubing cost me nothing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I ran all over town trying to find the part (starter) that I thought was a fuse. Nobody knew what it was. Now that I've been educated by you I'll be zapping by dusk!
I replaced the starter on my bug zapper with a momentary button, it works perfectly.
I have a bug zapper that's at least 35 years old and it STILL WORKS. I did have to fix it a few times. It's a vintage flowtron unit so it uses 5600 volts AC to the grid.
And you could get a starter socket from an old broken fluorescent light and wire it to the board then just install your starter. If your zapper goes through starters this would be feasible but if this is just a one time fix then what you did will work fine.
The stuff we learn nowadays. Just amazing
Good video. Thought I was going to have to spring $$$ for a new zapper. I bought a starter for .50 cents and the zapper fired up, ready for action.
I too, fixed my "BUG ZAPPER" thanks to your video. My florescent "starter bulb" was fastened directly on the inside of the light fixture socket. I rewired that part with longer wire leads so I could hook up a new starter. I just kept the "STARTER" in it's original little cylinder (with the condenser) since I had plenty of room. Even though my bulb said "40 Watt", a "40 watt" starter would not work. I finally got a 20/25 watt starter to work. To take my unit apart, I needed a star bit and an 18" driver extension to get to the screws. (Pain in the A**) When my zapper went out, the first thing I did was buy a new black light bulb. the new black light bulb did the same thing the old BL-bulb did. (almost on-then off, almost on-then off. over and over) After changing the starter, I tried the old bulb. WOULD NOT WORK. Only the new bulb would work. BTW......Florescent Starters have doubled in price since 2010. Thanks again ERMA
Glad to hear you were able to fix it. It's always great if you can keep another piece of plastic out of a landfill somewhere!
Thanks again. Great post/video!
+ermah have you thought of fitting a fluorescent starter socket so you don't have to spend 15 minutes de-soldering and re-soldering the starter ? the only thing you will need to do is solder the wires from the starter socket to the board in place of the starter. so the next time the starter fails to light the tube you'll just need to rotate the bad starter 1/4 of a turn then pull it out.
Great job, when the old starter failed the contacts usually remain closed and the lamp filament will burn out, hence no restrike.
just fixed mine works better than ever thank you
Great to hear! 😀
It seems to me that it was just the bulb and you may have not needed to change the starter at all!🙈
Install the condenser together is the best.
Awesome video. thank you!!!!
Thanks, ill try this repair method on my flowtron lamp.
Thanks for your video! I was not that lucky with my simpler (no choke) LIDL zapper. I also replaced the starter but the things have been unchanged. By the way: I noticed that with ONE side of the UV lamp the multimeter shows no continuity. However, I dont' think it's faulty because a spare UV also shows that odd behaviour. Can you please test yours and any suggestions?
I’m
Thank you!
Hope the video helped you out!
nice it's great job!
so why didnt you change the bulb as a first attempt
The little glass vial of the starter tube was all black. Usually, that's an indicator it's burned out so I thought that was the problem.
It’s too bad you don’t actually show to te remove the starter and install new one in 😢
Yeah, it was an oversight at the time. Maybe the next time I change it out I'll see if I can film that. 🙂
We have a light bulb that may fit your bug zapper. We're happy to offer you a free product for you to review. Are you interested?
i was able to get a starter from an old light but the starter was black can I get a new one somewhere
My issue is my zapper doesn't zap bugs anymore. I wonder if there's a fix for that
Yeah, not sure about the zapping circuit. My only experience is just fixing the light tube. Hope you're able to find a fix for it!
Did not work for me. It was flickering before, now it's dead.
What size starter did you use? My zapper has an 8-watt bulb.
I am not expert but due to reading the comments I should use a 4 W starter. Hope this can help.
My light turns on but the grid won't zap. Any sugestions?
Yeah mine too, have you found a way to fix that?
kyle eaton No. And i even emailed them and they said to throw it out
Shit. I'll let you know if I'm able to figure it out.
kyle eaton I have the same problem that just happened. Flowtron lamp turns on but no zapping. Any answers yet?
Also, with the zapper on the workbench, what is the safest way to test if the zapper is working? Straddle the bars with a tiny piece of paper?
Where do you buy the starter?
I bought the starter at a sundry store. They're commonly available at such places here in Taiwan.
Sundry store?
@@sherriatsavinh4995, a sundry store is where you can buy common everyday items like soap, plates, slippers, and light bulbs.
@@ermah You mean Walmart?
@@haciendadad, yeah a place like Walmart. Home Depot or Lowe's should have them too.
Whats the name of that bug zapper?
I don't recall the name, but it was some cheap Chinese brand. Zapped bugs just fine once I did this fix.
Should have bought a FLOWTRON 2 years of service?!? That’s pitiful! My FLOWTRON was on at all times for four years straight. I’m putting a new starter in it as part of my fourth year maintenance program. Who knows, I may even remove the restrictor plate to give the blue dragon a little more juice. FLOWTRON DO IT
2024 Welcome Bidonomics…..new starter part now $39.99, more than cost to purchase a brand new zapper.
You still didn't show how you fixed it. You mentioned replacing a tube. What tube? What does it do? What did it look lik? For people acquainted with electronics, this might be elementary, but for a novice, you really didn't teach anything
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