Fluorescent Light with BC Light in - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

hannahs radios · 5th Feb 2020, 1:59 pm

The Atlas brand fittings did indeed use a filament lamp instead of a choke, it was part of an effort by them to try to make a lightweight flouro lamp that could be used in domestic settings without the need to install new wiring. I did some experiments a while back using filament lamps as ballasts in 2 and 4 foot fittings it all worked surprisingly well, the tubes were a little dimmer and slower to start but the difference was hardly a big problem. I used 100 and 150 watt bulbs, both worked well

broadgage · 5th Feb 2020, 4:17 pm

As the correct tungsten ballast lamps are no longer readily available, a possible alternative would be 196 volt, 100 watt lamps which were manufactured until recently and may still be made, they are available from several sources.
One of those in series with a four foot, 40 watt lamp works fine.

1100 man · 6th Feb 2020, 11:57 am

As was mentioned earlier in the thread, this old thread on fluorescent lighting makes fascinating reading. It's well worth working through although it's very long!

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=59586

I've yet to see an incandescent lamp grafted onto a 4 pin starter, but will now know what it is when I find one!

All the best
Nick

broadgage · 6th Feb 2020, 2:02 pm

Another rather odd option for a series ballast lamp might be Christmas lights.
8 of the common 20 volt, 3 watt lamps in series would drop the correct voltage of 160 volts.
3 such strings in parallel would be about the right current at 0.45 amps.

Or 50 volt 25 watt pilot lamps, three in series.

5th Feb 2020, 1:59 pm	#21
hannahs radios Hexode Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Weymouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 422	Re: Fluorescent Light with BC Light in The Atlas brand fittings did indeed use a filament lamp instead of a choke, it was part of an effort by them to try to make a lightweight flouro lamp that could be used in domestic settings without the need to install new wiring. I did some experiments a while back using filament lamps as ballasts in 2 and 4 foot fittings it all worked surprisingly well, the tubes were a little dimmer and slower to start but the difference was hardly a big problem. I used 100 and 150 watt bulbs, both worked well

5th Feb 2020, 4:17 pm	#22
broadgage Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,129	Re: Fluorescent Light with BC Light in As the correct tungsten ballast lamps are no longer readily available, a possible alternative would be 196 volt, 100 watt lamps which were manufactured until recently and may still be made, they are available from several sources. One of those in series with a four foot, 40 watt lamp works fine.

6th Feb 2020, 11:57 am	#23
1100 man Octode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight, & Great Dunmow, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,377	Re: Fluorescent Light with BC Light in As was mentioned earlier in the thread, this old thread on fluorescent lighting makes fascinating reading. It's well worth working through although it's very long! https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=59586 I've yet to see an incandescent lamp grafted onto a 4 pin starter, but will now know what it is when I find one! All the best Nick

6th Feb 2020, 2:02 pm	#24
broadgage Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,129	Re: Fluorescent Light with BC Light in Another rather odd option for a series ballast lamp might be Christmas lights. 8 of the common 20 volt, 3 watt lamps in series would drop the correct voltage of 160 volts. 3 such strings in parallel would be about the right current at 0.45 amps. Or 50 volt 25 watt pilot lamps, three in series.