Fluorescent tube starter
 

I'm ready to change one of my 6 foot fluorescent tubes. The tube is 75w
but I noticed that the starter fitted is rated 4-65w. It has always
worked ok with that starter but could there be a problem or safety issue
using a too low W starter? Had a look in B&Q and they do 2 types (4-65w
and 70-100w). Is it best to get the higher one to be on the safe side?

In article ,
"Mark" writes:
I'm ready to change one of my 6 foot fluorescent tubes. The tube is 75w
but I noticed that the starter fitted is rated 4-65w. It has always
worked ok with that starter but could there be a problem or safety issue
using a too low W starter? Had a look in B&Q and they do 2 types (4-65w
and 70-100w). Is it best to get the higher one to be on the safe side?

The symptom of using too low a value starter is that it can keep
trying to start the tube after it is properly started, and this is
more likely in lower temperature conditions. If it's working OK for
you, don't worry about it. I don't think there's any safety related
issue. In commercial premises, the starter will often be replaced
with the tube anyway, as the cost of the starter is insignificant
compared with the total relamping cost -- the cost of replacing a
dead starter later is much higher.

I've used a 4-65w starter on a 400W mercury vapour lamp to speed up
the hot restrike time, and the starter doesn't come to any harm
(although it only reduces the restrike time by about a factor of 2,
which wasn't good enough for the application).

--
Andrew Gabriel

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
The symptom of using too low a value starter is that it can keep
trying to start the tube after it is properly started, and this is
more likely in lower temperature conditions. If it's working OK for
you, don't worry about it. I don't think there's any safety related
issue. In commercial premises, the starter will often be replaced
with the tube anyway, as the cost of the starter is insignificant
compared with the total relamping cost -- the cost of replacing a
dead starter later is much higher.

I've used a 4-65w starter on a 400W mercury vapour lamp to speed up
the hot restrike time, and the starter doesn't come to any harm
(although it only reduces the restrike time by about a factor of 2,
which wasn't good enough for the application).

Thanks for that. Now you mention it, I have a similar 6 foot tube in the
garage with a 65w starter and that has started to flash on & off like a
disco light now the cold weather is here! I remember fitting that with a
75-125w starter but it took ages to come on so I replaced it with a 65
and it was ok. I will give the 70-100w from B&Q a try - might be a more
suitable rating.

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:29:30 -0000, Mark wrote:

Now you mention it, I have a similar 6 foot tube in the garage with
a 65w starter and that has started to flash on & off like a disco
light now the cold weather is here!

Why not invest in electronic starters? Better for the tube and none of
the disco effect caused by trying to start the tube to early. You
won't need to replace them with the tube either.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
Why not invest in electronic starters? Better for the tube and none of
the disco effect caused by trying to start the tube to early. You
won't need to replace them with the tube either.

Thanks for that. Do you know who sells the electronic ones? Had a look
at Maplins and local stores but can only find the conventional starters.

In article ,
"Mark" writes:
"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
Why not invest in electronic starters? Better for the tube and none of
the disco effect caused by trying to start the tube to early. You
won't need to replace them with the tube either.

Thanks for that. Do you know who sells the electronic ones? Had a look
at Maplins and local stores but can only find the conventional starters.

I just lifted up a box whilst looking for something, and what
should be there but the June 1982 issue of Elektor magazine,
featuring on the front cover a project to build an electronic
starter for fluorescent lamps, which fits inside a starter
can. Unfortunately a web search doesn't turn it up and
Elektor's web pages don't go back that far.

However, it does say the circuit is patented 1223733, and this
appears to be available for download from the US patent office,
but I gave up when it required me to download a specific TIFF
image viewer.

--
Andrew Gabriel

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
I just lifted up a box whilst looking for something, and what
should be there but the June 1982 issue of Elektor magazine,
featuring on the front cover a project to build an electronic
starter for fluorescent lamps, which fits inside a starter
can. Unfortunately a web search doesn't turn it up and
Elektor's web pages don't go back that far.

However, it does say the circuit is patented 1223733, and this
appears to be available for download from the US patent office,
but I gave up when it required me to download a specific TIFF
image viewer.

A google search turned up this site selling them @ 2.99
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BGEFS600.html

Mark wrote:
"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
Why not invest in electronic starters? Better for the tube and none of
the disco effect caused by trying to start the tube to early. You
won't need to replace them with the tube either.

Thanks for that. Do you know who sells the electronic ones? Had a look
at Maplins and local stores but can only find the conventional starters.

Just about no one, the complete fittings with electronic starters are
so cheap that it doesn't make sense to sell the starters seprately I
don't think. I tried to get some a few months ago with no luck at
all.

If you find a supplier I'd be interested but remember that complete
fittings with electronics starters are around £12 for a 4ft.

--
Chris Green

Mark wrote:
"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
I just lifted up a box whilst looking for something, and what
should be there but the June 1982 issue of Elektor magazine,
featuring on the front cover a project to build an electronic
starter for fluorescent lamps, which fits inside a starter
can. Unfortunately a web search doesn't turn it up and
Elektor's web pages don't go back that far.

However, it does say the circuit is patented 1223733, and this
appears to be available for download from the US patent office,
but I gave up when it required me to download a specific TIFF
image viewer.

A google search turned up this site selling them @ 2.99
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BGEFS600.html

Ah, but that's not quite the same thing is it? It's a plug in replacement
for a glow discharge type starter but still uses the choke etc. It
won't give you quick, flicker free start-up will it?

An 'electronic ballast' is more than just the starter, it's the whole
caboodle and replaces the 'starter' and the choke. There is then no
starter or at least not a replaceable one.

--
Chris Green

Andy Wade wrote:
wrote:

Ah, but that's not quite the same thing is it? It's a plug in replacement
for a glow discharge type starter but still uses the choke etc. It
won't give you quick, flicker free start-up will it?

Not quick, but definitely flicker free. These well-worth-having devices
give a well defined pre-heat time after which a good tube will strike
first time. Much better all round than a glow starter and a fraction of
the cost of converting to an HF electronic ballast.

Ah, right, thanks. I hadn't realised they are a sort of half-way
house then and certainly worth upgrading to if only to avoid that
irritating flickering. I see an order coming up (or a visit to my
local Denmans).

--
Chris Green