"Part timer" wrote in message
...
Got a fitting with a pair of T8 58W tubes that sometimes take a while
to start. I've had enough of swapping starters with variable results,
and the ends of the tubes go black too soon for my liking.
I took the cover off this evening to see what's inside:
http://i29.tinypic.com/2ikfvgz.jpg
The 'crack' in the tube at the top is a cobweb in case you were
wondering. It was full of dust.

I've also read
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...scent_Lighting
(thanks to those who contribute to this!)
I assume that what I currently have is EEI (Energy Efficiency Index) D
since the fitting was fitted in the early 90s (could have been made
earlier) and not marked with such information.
With an electronic HF ballast, the power saving would be a bonus to
increasing lamp life, better starting and ditching the nasty starters.
I've seen ebay item 250670139376 with an A2 EEI rating which drives
both tubes (I know that if one dies, they both go out until the dead
one is replaced). On the label, Philips recommend using short cable
lengths to one end of the tubes. What is the reason for this? I assume
something to do with 30kHz. How short is short?
Anything else I should watch out for apart from isolating the fitting,
double checking work, etc?

PT

While you are at it, recalling another recent thread, you might think of
looking into T5.
There is a lot of useful info about the various types he
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamp_formats

S