6 Feb
2015
6 Feb
'15
9:25 p.m.
On 02/06/2015 09:20 PM, Tothwolf wrote:
These are single-ended-power type retrofit tubes, so a
rapid start ballast really shouldn't harm them (the two
pins on one end are not connected to the circuit). The
older double-ended-power type retrofit tubes are the ones
to be afraid of...they are a shock hazard (well
documented) if both ends of the tube aren't fully seated.
The double-ended-power types are also now banned in many
countries.
OK, good to know that they fixed THAT bit of insanity!
Are you sure those tubes on Amazon require the ballast
to
be removed? Many of these retrofit tubes do not, although
some require the starter circuit to be bypassed. [In the
US, with 4ft T12 and T8 fixtures, the starter circuit is
built into the ballast, but that convention isn't
universal, and in many countries fluorescent fixtures use
a separate starter module in a socket.]
I haven't seen anything except desk lamps that used a
separate starter (or manual
button) in the last 30 years or so.
Our house was built in 1975 and the 4' fluorescent fixtures were
all rapid-start ballasts, meaning the starter is part of the
ballast.
Anyway, I'd sure WANT to remove the old ballasts, as they
were massively
inefficient. I measured one of the ones before I did the
retrofit. Two 48"
tubes, total power draw 103 W. Assuming the two tubes drew
32 W each,
the ballast was drawing another 39 W or so! I had to remove
the ballast
with pliers, it was too hot to touch after a couple hours run.
Jon