DC fluorescent ballasts [RE-wrenches]

[Mark Downing]

Travis,

Thanks for the info.  I have found no dual tube ballasts for bulbs
above 20 or 25W.
The customer has been using the cheapest F40 bulb they can find.  I
did give them a few Sylvania 32W Octron bulbs to try.  These may be a
better match for the ThinLites.

Mark
--- "Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar" <ozsolar at ipa.net> wrote:
> Hi Mark,
> 
> I have recently been looking and have not been able to find any DC
> ballasts that will run 2 four foot bulbs.  ThinLite told me that
> their 2 lamp four foot fixture used 2 ballasts. I'd like to know
> some more about 2 lamp ballasts for 4' bulbs.
> 
> Speaking from my experience in the commercial AC lighting world
> (that's what my company does the most of these days). Mismatching
> bulbs to the ballast can be a problem.  Both bulb and ballast could
> see reduced life.  Make sure they are not using "Shoplight" bulbs
> available at discount stores. 
> Those bulbs are only designed to be installed in the under $10 shop
> light fixtures commonly sold at discount stores. I see that quite
> frequently and is causes many problems. They really need to be using
> a F40T12 or F40T12EW (commonly called a watt miser).  The ballast
> should have a label that clearly indicates the type of bulb it's
> designed to run.  Your best bet would be to put a F32T8SP41 in there
> if the ballast indicates that.  Read the label and if its not clear
> exactly what bulb it runs write down the numbers it gives and I'll
> see if can interpret them for you.
> 
> I would be worried about the ballasts if the voltage got above 15
> volts but the manufacturer should be able to answer that question.
> 
> Travis Creswell
> Ozark Solar
> ----------
> >From: Mark Downing <solarman4 at yahoo.com>
> >To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> >Subject: DC fluorescent ballasts [RE-wrenches]
> >Date: Tue, Sep 4, 2001, 9:34 PM
> >
> >I have some Amish customers that are using common dual tube 4' 
> >shop lights converted to 12V with ThinLite ballasts.  They believe
> >that they should be getting at least 3 or 4 years life out of them,
> >but are not.
> >Questions - Are Iota ballasts more rugged and last longer?
> >Where's the best source for Iota ballasts?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Mark, Hurshtown Alternative Power


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email alerts & NEW webcam video instant messaging with Yahoo! Messenger
http://im.yahoo.com

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

==^================================================================
EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9
Or send an email To: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================