Saturn voltage question - tanTALK

olydave · 10-14-2005, 04:13 PM

I have been told that the Saturn works best at 250 + volts. We are now at 232v with good but not great results. At 250v or better do you get the "wow factor" that this machine is known for and if so how do you get there? We currently use two 1.5kva 12/24s. Any suggestions??

ellas14 · 10-14-2005, 05:46 PM

What year is your Saturn?

SUNNYDAYS1 · 10-14-2005, 07:18 PM

What is you incoming voltage? You may be able to use a 16/32 buckbooster to get you closer to 250 volts. Not sure if the buckboosters come in any other configuration.

sunsally · 10-16-2005, 09:06 AM

An electrician should be able to get you boosted to 250 if that is your goal.

Higher voltage WILL "drive" the lamps/bed harder and give more output. However, it is also much harder on lamps and the bed components, so expect to change your lamps sooner, and maybe down the road, have more mechanical/maintence issues with the bed.

Make sure the room is very well-ventilated and cool -- that will help some.

olydave · 10-16-2005, 12:04 PM

The unit is a 2002 (narrow pillars and smaller parabolics). I had thought about replacing the two 1.5kva 12/24s with two 1.5kva 16/32s but I'm not sure if it's worth the time and $$ for the gain (242v). I've ducted into the dead space and added cold air return so I can handle the heat. There is a transformer out there built for the purpose of raising voltage to 252v but it is spendy. I guess my questions are, 1.) is the 250v mark some magical number at which the Saturn turns into a beast and if so, why? 2.) Do other high pressure units require or recommend (not officially, of course) the same type of voltage? and 3.) Has anyone installed a high pressure bed at lower voltage, bumped it up, and was amazed?

BSNE · 10-16-2005, 09:06 PM

Dave,

High pressure beds LIKE to be at 235v as they perform BEST there. Many reasons but the main reason becomes heat. A bed that is overdriven produces additional heat that actually will reduce overall performance and will certainly affect the bed when you should be making the most money with it....peak season.

There of course would be a performance gain from say 225 to 442 volts but the gain of 6 volts will do you nothing.

Overdriving a giant sun at 250v will make the bed scream but on an HP you will be buying replacement glass.

I would approach it a different way.

Make sure your lamps are changed at 325 hours and that the filter glass is squeaky clean.

Another would that "some" people have tried in their beds would be to add additional ballast to bump up the output on key lamps....

The other thing I would do is get ahold of Al R and ask him what he would do....

Hope this helps

M

_________________
[ This Message was edited by: BSNE on 2005-10-16 21:07 ]

sun2go · 10-17-2005, 08:29 AM

Saturn comes with 240v ballasts. As most equipment can be boosted +5%, a 250v input would be beneficial, and proper for this type of unit.

kevbra · 10-18-2005, 04:49 PM

Acme makes a 24/48 volt buckboost transformer, this may give you the desired performance. The 3.0 kva transformer is item # T-1-37923 from any Acme dealer. It will carry 62 amps when boosting 48 volts.

olydave · 10-19-2005, 05:47 PM

Thanks all. Called my Acme dealer and they found one in LA. Only $650.00 before freight.Such a deal, huh??

sunsally · 10-20-2005, 07:01 AM

Actually, that is a pretty fair price for that.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Voltage Question	tranquilitytan	General Tanning Industry Discussions	4	07-15-2005 10:36 AM
question deleted?	ricky13	General Tanning Industry Discussions	2	02-09-2005 03:06 PM
Question from a friend...	mouthybrat	Tanning Equipment	61	02-20-2004 05:30 PM
best voltage to run lamps	corvette	Tanning Salon Management	3	09-12-2002 07:07 AM

10-14-2005, 04:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
olydave Join Date: Mar 20 2005 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	I have been told that the Saturn works best at 250 + volts. We are now at 232v with good but not great results. At 250v or better do you get the "wow factor" that this machine is known for and if so how do you get there? We currently use two 1.5kva 12/24s. Any suggestions??

10-14-2005, 05:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
ellas14 Join Date: Aug 16 2001 Location: midwest Age: 51 Posts: 288 Rep Power: 23	What year is your Saturn?

10-14-2005, 07:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
SUNNYDAYS1 Join Date: Dec 18 2003 Location: NE Age: 49 Posts: 223 Rep Power: 21	What is you incoming voltage? You may be able to use a 16/32 buckbooster to get you closer to 250 volts. Not sure if the buckboosters come in any other configuration.

10-16-2005, 09:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
sunsally Team TanTalk Join Date: Nov 23 2004 Location: ITA Member & Berman Supporter! Posts: 3,136 Rep Power: 25	An electrician should be able to get you boosted to 250 if that is your goal. Higher voltage WILL "drive" the lamps/bed harder and give more output. However, it is also much harder on lamps and the bed components, so expect to change your lamps sooner, and maybe down the road, have more mechanical/maintence issues with the bed. Make sure the room is very well-ventilated and cool -- that will help some.

10-16-2005, 12:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
olydave Join Date: Mar 20 2005 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	The unit is a 2002 (narrow pillars and smaller parabolics). I had thought about replacing the two 1.5kva 12/24s with two 1.5kva 16/32s but I'm not sure if it's worth the time and $$ for the gain (242v). I've ducted into the dead space and added cold air return so I can handle the heat. There is a transformer out there built for the purpose of raising voltage to 252v but it is spendy. I guess my questions are, 1.) is the 250v mark some magical number at which the Saturn turns into a beast and if so, why? 2.) Do other high pressure units require or recommend (not officially, of course) the same type of voltage? and 3.) Has anyone installed a high pressure bed at lower voltage, bumped it up, and was amazed?

10-16-2005, 09:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
BSNE Join Date: Aug 8 2005 Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	Dave, High pressure beds LIKE to be at 235v as they perform BEST there. Many reasons but the main reason becomes heat. A bed that is overdriven produces additional heat that actually will reduce overall performance and will certainly affect the bed when you should be making the most money with it....peak season. There of course would be a performance gain from say 225 to 442 volts but the gain of 6 volts will do you nothing. Overdriving a giant sun at 250v will make the bed scream but on an HP you will be buying replacement glass. I would approach it a different way. Make sure your lamps are changed at 325 hours and that the filter glass is squeaky clean. Another would that "some" people have tried in their beds would be to add additional ballast to bump up the output on key lamps.... The other thing I would do is get ahold of Al R and ask him what he would do.... Hope this helps M _________________ [ This Message was edited by: BSNE on 2005-10-16 21:07 ]

10-17-2005, 08:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
sun2go Join Date: Dec 14 2001 Location: Third Rock Posts: 274 Rep Power: 23	Saturn comes with 240v ballasts. As most equipment can be boosted +5%, a 250v input would be beneficial, and proper for this type of unit.

10-18-2005, 04:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
kevbra Join Date: Apr 20 2003 Location: GA Posts: 29 Rep Power: 0	Acme makes a 24/48 volt buckboost transformer, this may give you the desired performance. The 3.0 kva transformer is item # T-1-37923 from any Acme dealer. It will carry 62 amps when boosting 48 volts.

10-19-2005, 05:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
olydave Join Date: Mar 20 2005 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	Thanks all. Called my Acme dealer and they found one in LA. Only $650.00 before freight.Such a deal, huh??

10-20-2005, 07:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
sunsally Team TanTalk Join Date: Nov 23 2004 Location: ITA Member & Berman Supporter! Posts: 3,136 Rep Power: 25	Actually, that is a pretty fair price for that.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)