dhgranstrand

I purchased a quantity of bulbs from Heartland and the salesgirl told me to replace all the starters every 1500 hours, so I bought all new starters. They had regular starters for $2 and electronic 10 yr starters for $3. I bought the $3 starters and out of a 100 starters, 2 have failed within 80 hrs.

I bought more bulbs from Raley's and the saleman said he never replaces starters unless they go bad.

Any feedback???

_________________
Believe in what you do,
Do what you believe in.[ This Message was edited by: dhgranstrand on 2004-06-26 21:31 ]

tanfixr

Raley's is wrong. Starters not only fail. They get weak and start slowly. 1500 hours is usually a little quick, but efficient starters will extend useable lamp life tremendously.

tanu01

15 years in this and I have NEVER changed starters unless they went bad.
Flick

tanfixr

I've got some customers like that too. Some beds appear to be fine with old starters. I just refurbished some old Sunals that had some exremely old starters in them. All the lamps came on just fine. But when I put new starters in I could see a definite difference in how quickly the lamps come on.

Also, I suspect the it's more important for VHO lamps since more current is allowed through. So yea, you can use old starters. But by the time they go bad, they are already damaging lamps.

engfant

Yeah I thought I was doing myself a favor replaceing all the starters with electric. Only the 160watt need electric starters. If you are a "top dropper" (100watt) then I would recommend the electric starters in the canopy of the 100watt beds. They seem to be a little sketchy when it comes to fresh 100watt lamps. As in not igniting at first. Never had a black end on a 100watt lamp reflector or not.

West Side Tanner

Not all dist. recommend electronic starters. Most recommend every lamp change, or every other, depending of course on the dropping thing.

engfant

Oh yeah I would never change them every lamp change. I have a 15 year old UWE that the starters look like they came new with the bed. Only have had to change one. Don't fix what isn't broke.

ED ST

Replacing glow starters every 2-4000 hours is preventive maintenance. It isn't absolutely necessary, but the maintenance is inexpensive, easily accomplished, and good for your peace-of-mind. Electronic starters are a great replacement in 160W machines. Highly recommended.

ZABAZU

If you search online you can get those $2.00 starters for .71 cents...Same exact starters.

MAGAENTERPRIZESINC

I BELIVE THAT YOU SHOULD CHANGE THEM OUT, NOT ONLY DOES IT HELP ON STARTUP BUT IT WILL HELP THE BLACKING ON THE END OF THE BULB.