I have a question about Cleo Advantage bulbs

[j4kp07]

First off, my core business is video rental not tanning, so I have come here for some help.

I run 4 ProSun beds with 26 bulbs each that I just "upgraded" to Phillips Cleo Advantage F71 100W. I was told these are "top of the line" and "very hot" 10 minute bulbs, which is why I purchased them (to speed up the turnover rate for the customers). Quite frankly, these bulbs seem to have been a waste of LOTS of money (about $20 each after shipping).

Before, each bed was running 13 Dark Tans with about 80 hours of run time and 13 ProTech (which came with the beds) with about 700 hours of run time. I was darker then than I am now and I seem to loose what little is left of my tan each day. Personally, I have tanned 5 out of the past 6 days, 10 minutes each time and I see absolutely no results. I am lighter than before, not darker. I am also noticing no results in my customers and some are even beginning to complain and want to tan a full 20 minutes.

I've read in some posts that these are bronzer bulbs which should tan darker over a slower period of time and yet others posts (and my distributor) say that these bulbs run "hot" and should cause a reddening of the skin. I've had at least 150 seperate customers come through and none of them have appeared red (and I have asked too) and only a few of what seem to be the lucky ones are getting dark results.

So what gives? Is it possible I just received a bad batch of bulbs? Is this "slower but darker" tan really THAT SLOW? I've never used boosters before, could this be the problem even though it's never been an issue in the past?

What am I missing here?

[Tanology]

I hated the cleos I had in my bed. Not enough umph in them customers were complaining.

[Tanzenite]

They are not reddening lamps.

[j4kp07]

So what bulbs can you recommend if I am trying to convert to 10 minute sessions?

[timeout888]

Adv . 100 W are for at least 15 min session (Reflector Version)

If you want 10 min. go with the 808 or Max (stronger) by philips .

[missyhot]

Oh boy, I think those are the ones I just ordered. I am upgrading from Phillips Cleo Swift 100w reflector. The guy told me the advantage are much better. I should be receiving them tomorrow. I'll let you know how mine work. He told me they were Phillips Advantage. So I don't know if thats the same as what you are talking about.

[j4kp07]

I have the Phillips Cleo Advantage Max 100w (non-reflective). My distributor has contacted me back and asked that I check the voltage going into each bed since I don't have boosters on them. Apparently, these bulbs require more voltage (230) than what I was running before so this may be a part of the problem, something I was already considering (notice my first post).

I have a friend that will hopefully be by on Thursday to check them out for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If this is the problem, at least it's something that can be fixed.

[missyhot]

Oh ya, the boosters could be the problem. I have them on my beds so I hope I have better luck because I paid over $600 to bulb one bed.

[j4kp07]

Well, the voltage isn't the problem. I'm running 240 volts into the building and I'm getting 238 volts at the beds.

My electrician friend asked if the ballasts are compatible. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Tanzenite]

Ballasts compatible? If you have 100W ballasts in the the bed and the lamps are 100W you should have no problem.