"Teodor Väänänen" <use.instructions.in.signat...@invalid.invalid> wrote in
message news:g9ol46$q99$1@registered.motzarella.org...

Now if IIRC, the passive ballast for flourescent lights is a big
inductor which serves two purposes, the first is to store the energy
needed to ignite it (400 Volt-ish IIRC), the second is to lower the
voltage over the light to the operating voltage of the tube (which varies).

And taking a quick look on my flourescent tube over the kitchen sink,
the components are (in no particular order): Ballast/Inductor, tube,
igniter (small cylindrical thingy, say 15mm dia by 30 (or so) mm length)
and a cap. And having assembled compact flourescents, I know that some
of them come with the igniter built into the tube.

As to failures, I know that all components have a tendency to wear out,
and that at least in the bigger, tube, models, the igniter and tube can
be replaced (and should be replaced at the same time), and the other
could too (although it could be difficult to find the correct values for
the latter (have you tried the manufacturer?)).

As to electronic ballasts, they eliminate that irritating flicker on
switch-on and, IIRC, have less losses. I know that there are electronic
ballasts from many manufacturers (try Osram and Sylvania) for all sorts
of flourescents, though you might want to check with the local laws and
regulations whether it's something you can do yourself or leave to a pro.

I've seen DYI electronic ballasts schematics, in the swedish version of
Elektor, but that was ages ago (early/mid 90's).

Another point that comes to mind is the issue of RF interference, some
ballasts, DYI or not, self-installed or not, have a tendency to cause
unwanted signals in the HF band.

As to fire hazards, I have more than once seen the fire dept called out
somewhere when the ballast has overheated (usually due to leaving a
failed tube on for too long), emitting all sorts of interesting odors.

Well, that's what I can squeeze out of my brain for $.02 for the moment.

/T.

--
Teodor Väänänen                | Don't meddle in the affairs of wizards,
<teostupidity...@algonet.se>   | for you are good and crunchy with
http://www.algonet.se/~teodor/ | ketchup.
Remove stupidity to reply.     |

Thanks much Teodor.  I think that I *will* just replace the questionable
ballast.  It's <$20.00 American, and that's not much to pay for the safety
factor (and lack of trouble.)

'Preciate it.

Dave