Ballast Question

Tanology · 05-13-2005, 10:55 AM

HI everyone, Can you tell me how do you know if your ballasts are getting old and needs to be replaced (what is the life expectancy), Also could you explain to me what is the purpose or function of the ballasts in a tanning bed.
Thanks

_________________
[ This Message was edited by: Tanology on 2005-05-13 10:41 ]

New York Choppers · 05-13-2005, 12:52 PM

A ballast is like a water valve. It allows a certain amount of energy to flow the lamp (watts).
They rarely go bad. A magnetic ballast runs two lamps and does not require a buck/booster.
A chock style has a "starter" one ballast per each lamp.
If a ballast goes bad you will know right away. A rather strong odor eminates.
usually a magnetic system is on 20 minute beds and choke on higher performing units.

engfant · 05-13-2005, 01:29 PM

Yeah, usually they don't go bad unless they are old or overworked to the point of burn out. Most of all problems are starter and lamp related.

mr belvedere · 05-15-2005, 09:45 PM

Sorry, I have to: You know a ballast is going bad when - you are missing cash from your purse or the top of the dresser; they don't come home until 6am and sleep til 6pm; the police stop by to see if they're home ....

top250tansyou · 05-15-2005, 10:25 PM

What?

MATT A · 05-15-2005, 11:12 PM

What?

mr belvedere · 05-15-2005, 11:12 PM

You know... the warning signs of a ballast going bad ... Ok, I laughed myself silly ..... sorry

mr belvedere · 05-15-2005, 11:17 PM

Seriously, they usually burn out a contact on the magnetic or choke types; the electronic ballasts just quit without visual signs of trauma. As with any trouble shooting, you have to start one end of the problem and work the other direction, eliminating possibilities as you go. Lamp faults are generally bad lamps, bad starters, or both. Sometimes it's burned up lamp holders and their connections, or burned up pin/s in an AMP connector. Multiple lamp outages are usually a result of the latter. Good luck.

crzytanner · 05-15-2005, 11:20 PM

well i know when they're not working properly when your lamp will not fire up. most beds have one ballast per lamp. you have to make sure that its not the lamp or lampholders. i agree the choke types are the worst. ive had a ballast be fine and the jumper wires be burned up. they are a pain in the azz. lol

mr belvedere · 05-16-2005, 12:47 AM

Quote:
On 2005-05-15 22:12:00, mr belvedere wrote:
You know... the warning signs of a ballast going bad ... Ok, I laughed myself silly ..... sorry
Somebody go get Neon, he'll explain it.

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05-13-2005, 10:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tanology BFF Police Patrol Join Date: Jul 23 2004 Location: BFF Headquarters!!!! Age: 34 Posts: 1,005 Rep Power: 56	HI everyone, Can you tell me how do you know if your ballasts are getting old and needs to be replaced (what is the life expectancy), Also could you explain to me what is the purpose or function of the ballasts in a tanning bed. Thanks _________________ [ This Message was edited by: Tanology on 2005-05-13 10:41 ]

05-13-2005, 01:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
engfant FREE ENGFANTUCATION Join Date: May 20 2003 Posts: 9,642 Rep Power: 13	Yeah, usually they don't go bad unless they are old or overworked to the point of burn out. Most of all problems are starter and lamp related.

05-15-2005, 09:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
mr belvedere DERFERATOR Join Date: May 10 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 8,667 Rep Power: 52	Sorry, I have to: You know a ballast is going bad when - you are missing cash from your purse or the top of the dresser; they don't come home until 6am and sleep til 6pm; the police stop by to see if they're home ....

05-15-2005, 10:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
top250tansyou I love Derf!! Join Date: Jan 1 2004 Location: little rock Posts: 2,237 Rep Power: 7	What?

05-15-2005, 11:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
MATT A Police Department Join Date: Sep 6 2004 Location: Awaiting Posts: 15,744 Rep Power: 31	What?

05-15-2005, 11:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
mr belvedere DERFERATOR Join Date: May 10 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 8,667 Rep Power: 52	You know... the warning signs of a ballast going bad ... Ok, I laughed myself silly ..... sorry

05-15-2005, 11:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
crzytanner Join Date: Mar 16 2005 Location: muscle shoals, al Age: 39 Posts: 954 Rep Power: 4	well i know when they're not working properly when your lamp will not fire up. most beds have one ballast per lamp. you have to make sure that its not the lamp or lampholders. i agree the choke types are the worst. ive had a ballast be fine and the jumper wires be burned up. they are a pain in the azz. lol

05-16-2005, 12:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
mr belvedere DERFERATOR Join Date: May 10 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 8,667 Rep Power: 52	Quote: On 2005-05-15 22:12:00, mr belvedere wrote: You know... the warning signs of a ballast going bad ... Ok, I laughed myself silly ..... sorry Somebody go get Neon, he'll explain it.

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