It sounds as if you may have been unlucky. The tubes in what few fluorescent fittings I have seem to last literally for years, and they all have 58W tubes in ancient fittings inevitably designed for 65W ones.All I can say is the thin 58W tubes did not last long. Problem is 4 months v 4 years is hard to show problem is really down to tube to ballast compatibility. This is even harder when the sample is one.
I'm not questionning that. I have no doubt that, for you at the time, it was probably the best option.One has to consider the cost of borrowing the £17.09 to replace the tube compared with the £3 to buy a 58W fluorescent over the life of the tube. But also one has to consider the problems associated with replacing the tube. For me that was a 10 mile trip to Wickes only to be told they don't do thick tubes, I then tried other outlets ending up with electrofix which had the LED version in stock. (Screwfix to non plumbers or electricians) So I had to decide new fitting or LED tube.... So it was £17.09 for LED or what ever an electrician would charge for new fitting. ... So for me change to LED was the most cost effective option. So for me it was best option.
As I said, functionally it could just be a bit of wire - but, if it is something more than that, and doesn't "explain itself" in the labelling, then I think the only way to find out would be to take one apart.I still have no idea what the replacement starter does. Maybe a fuse or maybe something completely different? Hence the thread. Does anyone really know what the replacement starter does?
Kind Regards, John