How to wire up fluorescent lamp's

[Dave9]

hello there, can someone please help me out with these fluorescent light.


ok i have a 100W-125W Tridonic Choke/Ballast

Can I use this to power x5 20W tubes?

I've also got a 7.2 Capacitor and 2FT 20W philip tubes.

I dont know how to wire these up, i have a basic idea, but im not 100% sure. I do know if i need a starter either.

I have 2 core 0.5MM wire (blue & brown)
Can someone please tell or draw me a diagram where the wire goes?

Thanks for any advice, dave.

 

[Spark123]

No, I dont think it will work. I have never seen a single ballast with more than two tubes on it, and iirc these require a special starter for each tube.

 

[Dave9]

I explained to the guy at the electric shop that i needed to power x5 20W lamps and he recommended me this ballast.

I dont know, anyone know????

 

[mapj1]

You will need 2 ballasts, one per lamp, and you wire them as per the schmatic on the choke - the switch represents the starter.
Hope that helps.

 

[Spark123]

You could buy 5 of these:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FGGT20.html

 

[Dave9]

thanks, i dont know why the guy at the shop recommended that, i woulda thought a 125w ballast could split the power into 5 outputs (25w x 5)... are you absolutly certain it wont work?

I cant really afford to buy 5 control gear's, cant i just split 10 wires from the ballast and wire them into the light holders?

Sorry im such a noob ! lol

Thanks for all the help guys

 

[Spark123]

thanks, i dont know why the guy at the shop recommended that, i woulda thought a 125w ballast could split the power into 5 outputs (25w x 5)... are you absolutly certain it wont work?

Not absolutely certain, but pretty sure. I have only ever seen max of 2 tubes seriesed together with one ballast.

I cant really afford to buy 5 control gear's, cant i just split 10 wires from the ballast and wire them into the light holders?

Please post a wiring diagram. See://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8463 for how to post a picture.

 

[Dave9]

hi spark, ok i made a diagram to which i think is correct, not sure if its right.

Here it goes...

Thanks
Dave9

 

[plugwash]

it might work but there may be problems the question is would the ballest be able to deliver the needed shocks to start more lamps whilst at the same time running a lamp thats already active.

also with one lamp started it may drag the voltage down too low for the other starters to work.

 

[Dave9]

it might work but there may be problems the question is would the ballest be able to deliver the needed shocks to start more lamps whilst at the same time running a lamp thats already active.

also with one lamp started it may drag the voltage down too low for the other starters to work.

I see, ok cool.
So what your saying is "get rich or die trying" kinda thing?

lol

ha only kidding, so i could just try it and see if it will work, if it does work does that mean it will carrying on working or will degrade itself and eventually short out?

Appreciate the advice
Dave

EDIT: plugwash: couldnt i use a capacitor to deliver more shock, if im not mistaken and sombody please correct me if im wrong... but isn't a capacitor like a "electricity boost" for that extra kick?

 

[Lectrician]

Dont think that would work, for reasons said by pluggy.

I know you can series two tubes , and use two series starters. I wonder if you could series more??

 

[Dave9]

Dont think that would work, for reasons said by pluggy.

I know you can series two tubes , and use two series starters. I wonder if you could series more??

yeh, im just gonna wire them up and see what happens... il let you know !

 

[Stoday]

It won't work.

Only one tube will strike and that will take much more current than it's rated for. Once a tube strikes, it acts like a negative resistance, with the voltage over the tube falling as the current increases. The current is limited by the choke.

By all means play with it, but take precautions. It's possible that something might explode.

 

[Spark123]

IIRC, this is how the two tube variety are connected, please note the tubes are in series, not in parallel as you have drawn.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I explained to the guy at the electric shop that i needed to power x5 20W lamps and he recommended me this ballast.

Strange - according to madfunkymonkey the people who work behind counters are the greatest electrical experts the world has ever seen...