All Questions
Tagged with fluorescent-lamp electronic-ballast
13 questions
17
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Electronic Drivers for Fluorescent Lamps: How is the DC-to-AC Conversion done?
Pretty much all (somewhat inaccurately named) electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps run off a DC voltage and have to convert it into AC to operate the lamp.
The DC supply can come from rectified ...
- 18.6k
14
votes
1
answer
12k
views
Why is my fluorescent tube orange on one side, white on the other and dark in the middle?
I have a ~60 cm fluorescent tube light that is failing. ~10 cm on one end glows orange, ~10 cm on the other end glows blue-white (normal fluorescent light color) and the middle 40 cm is dark.
...
- 3,489
13
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Serial capacitors in electronic ballast of a fluorescent lamp
Recently I repaired one broken electronic ballast of a linear 30W fluorescent lamp. Now it seems to be working as expected, but I had to make some changes to it and I'd like to ask if you see any ...
- 3,031
3
votes
1
answer
330
views
Improvized small aquarium lighting
I have a small aquarium that has been illuminated so far by a 15W fluorescent lamp. The problem is that the ballast has broken (melted) after 2 years of use, and the only replacements I could find on ...
- 133
2
votes
2
answers
803
views
Run 12v Incandescent Bulbs off Fluorescent Ballast
Can I use a 120v AC to 12v AC electronic transformer to power 12v bulbs? I have a 150 watt transformer that I tried connecting to a single 10w incandescent bulb, but the bulb just flickers at a low ...
- 117
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Understanding the specs of an electronic ballast (UV-Tubes)
I got lost on the topic of selecting the right electronic ballast for 4 UV-tubes (Cosmolux S pink 15W). I have learned about magnetic ballasts and starters, about electronic ballasts and connecting ...
- 23
1
vote
2
answers
184
views
Why does compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) save more energy?
I read information about fluorescent lamp and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) but I still don't understand why CFL saves energy and produce the same amount of light?
Maybe the electronic ballast ...
- 3,854
1
vote
0
answers
242
views
Repurposing CFL ballast for different bulb (UVC)
I am attempting to repurpose the (electronic) ballast contained within a CFL lamp to power a UV-C bulb (mercury discharge, uncoated tube) for disinfection purpose, and out of general interest in ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Fluorescent tubes in series?
Is it possible to use fluorescent tubes wired in series, provided that the ballast can supply a high enough voltage and power?
Problem description
F28T5 are too long (4ft) for me, so instead I plan ...
- 115
0
votes
1
answer
318
views
How can I test a ballast circuit without?
I have an old table lamp. I want to repair it. It has an external ballast circuit and 9 watt fluorescent lamp (PL). I don't know the circuit is working or not. Is there any way to check it without ...
- 33
0
votes
1
answer
129
views
How can you use ballast-powered flouresecent lamp outputs to power LEDs?
We have a 2G11-socket 36W germicidal UVC lamp in our air ducts (Honeywell UC36W1006), and since UV-C LEDs are readily available, I thought maybe I could make a PCB with a bunch of UV-C LEDs on it as a ...
- 2,200
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can a fluorescent light electronic ballast fail and still supply voltage?
I am trying to debug a failed fluorescent light fixture. T8, 1x36W. I have checked the tube (vs. both a new one and a known working one), and this is not the problem. So I thought it must be the ...
- 11
-1
votes
1
answer
372
views
Efficiency or longevity issues when using 2 lamps on a 4-lamp fluorescent ballast?
To answer this question I guess we need to know the circuit construction details of commercial electronic fluorescent ballasts. Is there a downside (either power efficiency or ballast longevity) when ...
- 157