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How to Replace 3 Lamp Programmed Start Ballast with Rapid Start

One of our readers wrote to us about replacing some T8 Motorola 3 lamp programmed start ballasts (first image below). I suggested he replace them with 3 lamp instant start ballasts. Unfortunately, this involved removing (or replacing) and rewiring the lampholders. He was looking for a solution that did not involve replacing or rewiring lampholders.

He was able to locate a 3 lamp rapid start ballast (second image below). Just to see if it might work, he wired the new ballast to the fixture lampholders while matching colors (third image). As it turns out, the lamps lit up and are still on.

3 Lamp Programmed Start Ballast Replaced with Rapid Start Diagram

As seen below, the wire colors on the ballast match the wire colors on the lampholders. Orange wire connectors are preferred for joining 4 ballast wires (18 AWG).

3 Lamp Programmed Start Ballast Diagram

Factory wiring

Replace

Ballasts

Replace 1 Lamp Rapid Start with 2 Lamp Instant Start

Replace 1 Lamp Rapid Start with 2 Lamp Rapid Start

Replace 2 Lamp Instant Start

Replace 2 Lamp Rapid Start with Instant Start

Replace Alternate 2 Lamp Rapid Start with Instant Start

Replace 2 Lamp Rapid Start

Replace 3 Lamp Instant Start

Replace 3 Lamp Two Instant Start with One Instant Start

Replace 3 Lamp Rapid Start with Instant Start

Replace 3 Lamp Two Rapid Start with One Instant Start

Replace 3 Lamp Programmed Start with Instant Start

Replace 3 Lamp Programmed Start with Rapid Start

Replace 4 Lamp Instant Start

Replace 4 Lamp Two Rapid Start with One Instant Start

Replace 4 Lamp Rapid Start with Instant Start