flourescent ballast question

I have a 2 bulb flourescent light in kitchen. The ballast says it is a rapid start ballast and has a number R-2S40-1-TP on it. there are 2 blue and 2 red wires on one end of ballast and 2 yellow, 1 black, and 1 white on the other end. I was pricing them at big box store, yes the one in kitchen is bad, and they look like they cost about as much as the fixture. I thought I could maybe use one out of a 2 bulb shop light but I don't think that will work because it doesn't have a white wire coming out of the ballast. So back to my question. Do the numbers on this ballast mean anything? I there a cheaper alternative? Does it matter which ballast I get as long as it is for a 2 bulb fixture. there seems to be a lot with different numbers that look similar. And online I see ones that look like they would work but have different numbers. Thanks for any help. Also the fixture take the old style large size round 40w bulb and not the new smaller dia bulb. I know the big orange store has 2 lamp T-12 electronic ballasts for about $15 that should work for you. Otherwise this may be a good time to upgrade your light to a T-8 fixture. You will use less energy and get more light out of the fixture. Yes it does matter what ballast you get. Ballasts should be matched to the correct type of lamps. Otherwise you risk early failure of the lamps or ballast. I thought I could maybe use one out of a 2 bulb shop light but I don't think that will work because it doesn't have a white wire coming out of the ballast This doesn't make any sense. All ballasts I have seen have a white wire. It may be discolored or hidden behind other wires. If I was to upgrade to the newer bulbs would I have to replace the fixture or would just the bulb holders and ballast be replaced? the fixtures are recessed into the ceiling. Also I will double check the shop light that I mentioned and that you said didn't make sense and get back to you. Thanks for the help. It is appreciated. The Advance R2s40 ballast is now obsolete, although you can still find them for around 10-15 dollars. They were replaced with electronic ballasts that are now smaller but will still wire the same. RELB2S40 will work, price should be 10-15 bucks as well. Do NOT use a shop light ballast as these are usually low quality JUNKERS that overheat and probably won't wire the same anyway. You can upgrade the fixrure to T8's, using a ICN2P32 ballast and most likely the same sockets. The T12 bulbs are still available, but are fast becoming obsolete as well. I would imagine though they will be available for some time yet, but will become more expensive as less are produced. A lot of changes going on in the ballast / lamp markets right now.... Originally Posted by kmeyer301 If I was to upgrade to the newer bulbs would I have to replace the fixture or would just the bulb holders and ballast be replaced? the fixtures are recessed into the ceiling. Most cases the sockets will work fine (as long as they are 4' bulbs and 2 pin) and you will only need to replace the ballast. I have done this to thousands of lights. If you going to use diffrent ballast make sure you follow the wiring diagram very carefull due pretty good percentage of them use either rapid start or instat start ballast set up if latter you will have to make sure the tombstone is shunted or wirenutted together per diagram requirement. I will just go with electronic with T-8 bulbs they will make far more light than old school T-12 bulbs and ballast is. Merci. Marc

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