Throwing away good lamps - tanTALK

Gene · 02-23-2004, 08:38 AM

It's a shame that I have to throw away lamps that have good life left in them. The LS Signature Series VHO/R lamps from my Tan America Premier start blowing, one by one, after 500 hours. The room is adequately cooled and the filters are clean but the bed eats lamps. They read about 40 on the UVA meter which isn't bad for a magnetic ballast bed after 500 hours. The UVA has been steady for quite some time. Same thing with my Sundash 240G with any brand lamps. Is it something about magnetic ballast beds that causes this? The Signature Series on the bottom of my Sunterrace stay nice and seem to last forever.

JOHN @ URI · 02-24-2004, 07:14 AM

Magnetic ballast suck!

That is why only 4 or 5 manufacturers out of 150 use them.

They should only be used in General lighting applications!

Gene · 02-24-2004, 07:50 AM

Among all my VHR type equipment, both magnetic and choke start, the TA Premier is the favorite, a veritable customer magnet.

ED ST · 02-24-2004, 01:53 PM

Gene
With rapid start ballasts and RDC lamps, the connection between the lamp and the lampholder has to be tight. When it isn't, the cathodes don't heat up enough before the ballast ignites the lamp. This causes sputtering, blackening at the ends of the lamp, and shorter-than-normal service life. Poor RDC connections are probably the greatest single cause of premature lamp failure.
Another reason might be dust. Rapid start tanning lamps are more sensitive to dust on them, which makes them start slower, which makes them burn out faster.
Ed

_________________
[ This Message was edited by: ED S@URI on 2004-02-24 13:54 ]

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02-23-2004, 08:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gene Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Dec 8 2000 Posts: 169 Rep Power: 0	It's a shame that I have to throw away lamps that have good life left in them. The LS Signature Series VHO/R lamps from my Tan America Premier start blowing, one by one, after 500 hours. The room is adequately cooled and the filters are clean but the bed eats lamps. They read about 40 on the UVA meter which isn't bad for a magnetic ballast bed after 500 hours. The UVA has been steady for quite some time. Same thing with my Sundash 240G with any brand lamps. Is it something about magnetic ballast beds that causes this? The Signature Series on the bottom of my Sunterrace stay nice and seem to last forever.

02-24-2004, 07:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
JOHN @ URI Lamp Geek Join Date: Dec 21 2001 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,913 Rep Power: 23	Magnetic ballast suck! That is why only 4 or 5 manufacturers out of 150 use them. They should only be used in General lighting applications!

02-24-2004, 07:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gene Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Dec 8 2000 Posts: 169 Rep Power: 0	Among all my VHR type equipment, both magnetic and choke start, the TA Premier is the favorite, a veritable customer magnet.

02-24-2004, 01:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
ED ST Join Date: Jan 9 2004 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 809 Rep Power: 21	Gene With rapid start ballasts and RDC lamps, the connection between the lamp and the lampholder has to be tight. When it isn't, the cathodes don't heat up enough before the ballast ignites the lamp. This causes sputtering, blackening at the ends of the lamp, and shorter-than-normal service life. Poor RDC connections are probably the greatest single cause of premature lamp failure. Another reason might be dust. Rapid start tanning lamps are more sensitive to dust on them, which makes them start slower, which makes them burn out faster. Ed _________________ [ This Message was edited by: ED S@URI on 2004-02-24 13:54 ]

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