ballast question

[sterbrock1]

I am trying to drive two flourescent bulbs by URI. One super actinic and one actinic day. They are the 4 foot 40 watt lights. I put them in a regular flourescent light fixture and the ballast doesn't seem to want to light these bulbs on a regular basis.

How do I tell what ballast would drive these bulbs effectively?

Thanks. Scott

 

[sterbrock1]

anybody? any examples of what you use?

 

[boxfishpooalot]

You need the correct ballast. Some ballasts use different voltages and even if you do fire the bulbs with another it can lessen the bulb life and give it a different kelving color temperature. More yellow or more blue.

The flourecent bulbs are coated in phospourus compounds that when given a specific voltage produce a certain color.

 

[Icefire]

They are T12 or T8?

 

[sterbrock1]

OK, now I think I can ask my question correctly,

If I go to HD to pick up a ballast to fire my bulbs (I think T12, the larger of the two) how do I know how much voltage the ballast needs to produce? Are there specs on the URI lights?

Also, will this be clear on the ballast itself?

Off to the net to try and find this info............Thanks for your help

 

[ERICinFL]

Flourecent ballasts will tell you how many watts they'll produce and the total length of the bulbs it can effectively handle. I have a Sunseeker ballast that pushes my two 110watt T12s. The directions said not to exceed 192in of total bulb length, so if I wanted to run 4, 48in bulbs, I could. Also, make sure that you run the same style bulbs together: VHO, SO, etc. and of course the same wattage.

 

[sterbrock1]

ERICinFL, would it matter if I mixed super actinic with actinic day or the key is to match watts with style (VHO, SO)?

Thanks for your info