Hopefully someone can help me out, I rewired a Transformers to power a 2-ended LED tube, Neutral on the left side, Live on the right side. I bypassed (and removed) a non-working ballast and removed the starter. But now, the LED tube doesn't seem to light up when I turn it on. Sometimes it turns on and seems to stay on, but when I turn the machine off and then right back on, it will go out and stay out. I get no flickering or anything, I've tried fiddling with the connections but they seem solid and Im getting consistent AC voltage between the tombstones. I get no flickering or anything, I've tried fiddling with the connections but they seem solid and Im getting consistent AC voltage between the tombstones.

Has anyone run into an issue like this? I have confirmed that the LED tube will light consistently when connected straight to 120V. So Im not sure if there might be an issue with my machine, but the circuit seems pretty straight forward.

I need to replace the ballast so I was trying to avoid that by going with a direct-wired LED tube instead. The thing is, it's not just when I quickly power cycle it. If I let it sit, it still doesn't necessarily turn on. I feel something is preventing the internal components from triggering the tube to turn on. I dont know if maybe the LED tube is simply not drawing enough current to make current flow or what.

I tried a new tube, same thing. Made sure the wires are properly seated in the holder. Tested voltage at the 1f/m4 connector, the connector in the backbox, and on the holder itself, all are at 130V which is well within the voltage of the LED tube.

I left the machine on with the tube currently working, I'm gonna see if it's still on after an hour.

I feel like if I turn the machine off, remove the tube and then put it back in, it works. But I'm gonna test that later and see if its repeatable. Basically, it seems like something with the LED tube is not interacting well with the transformer when its turned off.

Ok. I came home after an hour and the bulb was still lit. But I decided to test the 30 second wait before restarting and it seems like that's the issue. In my case, it seems like 1 minute is what it takes, but I was able to get it to light if waiting that long 3 times in a row.

Thanks Markharris2000 for your insight, I don't think I could have come up with that on my own. In most cases, I don't see the minute delay being much of an issue but I may try and order a "better" tube online or something. But, for now, the backglass IS lit! So I'm calling it a success.

Honestly, in the future, on a different machine, I might just consider running 12V to some LED strips placed in the backbox or something instead. Although this actually looks pretty cool too: https://www.arcadeupkeep.com/shop/dimming-backbox-panel/. Though I think, for me at least, the shipping is about the same as the product.

the LED strip route? Where do you tie into for power?

ahh yes. it does look like a good kit.