The big TL / Fluorescent lighting thread

[level42]

Since we were poisoning a nice Joust related thread with a lot of TL/Fluorescent talk, I thought it would be a good idea to make a separate topic on it.

To start off, I found some good, simple info about Magnetic and Electronic Ballasts (Ully, they are called "Drossel" in German) right here:

http://www.faq.evgshop.de/index.php/Info/MVG

http://www.faq.evgshop.de/index.php/Info/EVG

These guys also sell VERY cheap electronic ballasts, so cheap that I would choose these over any traditional magnetic ballast anyday.

To sum up the advantages compared to a magnetic ballast:

- do not wear out
- no starter(s) needed
- energy saving (up to 30% at same light level)
- direct start without flickering
- no 50 Hz flickering, very steady light
- no hum, almost completely silent
- increases the tube lifetime with about 50%
- automatic shut-off of the lamp when it is defective (no energy gulping flickering)
- lamp starts troublefree also in very cold conditions
- converting a traditional set-up is very easy

There's a lot more good info on their site, in German, so Ully, read up !

Sadly, the one's they offer are 230V types so a change in wiring is still needed if you want to replace a 110V ballast set-up.

For the guys who are original anal, this is of course not an option

[level42]

One thing I learned from this site that is very important: When using an electronic ballast (EVG) you should NOT use one that has a higher power rating then the tube used !
In fact, they explain that it is safe (within limits) to use a higher wattage tube on a lower wattage electronic ballast. Read right here (sorry in German):
http://www.faq.evgshop.de/index.php/FAQ/FAQpower