On Fri, 30 May 2008 21:51:56 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

On Fri, 30 May 2008 11:43:26 +0100, bof wrote:

Don't you 3 more that are yet to explode?

That's the main reason for posting here, I was wondering if I was just
being unlucky or there was a systemic fault.

Got to admit that 2/5 with the same fault is odd and the lack of AOL
response also a bit odd. Sort of makes me wonder if there is something
"odd" about your supply, fast high peaks that damage/stress bits of
silicon that a magnetic ballast wouldn't even see.

Well, yes / no.

Solid state semiconductor ballasts are dodgy.

The less you pay for them the dodgier they are.

If you are prepared to pay 50 x the DIY shed prices they are totally
reliable and a delight (*) to work with.

(*) Weedy pun, I know.

Derek