Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « on: February 24, 2024, 10:13:43 PM » Author: 108CAM
I've seen a few stories and photos where people run their 18w SOX lamps using F18T8 gear instead of actual 18w SOX gear. Do they do it for demonstration purposes or can it actually be done safely without reducing lamp life? I'd like to know because I have a couple of 18w SOX lamps that are currently just sitting in their boxes gathering dust which I'd like to put into fixtures. Can I use an 18w fluorescent ballast with a starter as the ignitor so I don't have to worry about trying to track down SOX gear when fluorescent gear could work and I can make use of what I already have? If fluorescent gear will work, can someone please send me a simple wiring diagram with the name of each component? Do not use schematic symbols, non standard wire colours or technical names. They will confuse me.
		Logged

Fluro starter pings combined with a 50hz ballast hum and blinking tubes is music to my ears.

Rest in Peace Electronic Lamp Manufacturers of Australia
1925-2002

Bring back the AJF Zodiacs!

Total incidents since joining LG: 17
Lamps accidently broken or smashed: 14
Ballast explosions/burnouts: 3

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #1 on: February 24, 2024, 10:58:07 PM » Author: wide-lite 1000
I've been wondering the same thing !! I also got a pair of 18w SOX lamps recently and have nothing to run them with . Like you , I would also like to know exactly what I'd need to run them safely without all of the Technobabble !  Unlike you , I live in 120v 60Hz. land so I'd guess the answer to your question would be different from mine ?
		Logged

Collector,Hoarder,Pack-rat! Clear mercury Rules!!

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #3 on: February 25, 2024, 12:13:31 AM » Author: wide-lite 1000
I've considered the Fulham ballasts but I've seen 2 different model#'s listed as correct . I don't want to risk damage to a very hard to find lamp .
		Logged

Collector,Hoarder,Pack-rat! Clear mercury Rules!!

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #4 on: February 25, 2024, 12:18:55 AM » Author: 108CAM
Quote from: wide-lite 1000 on February 24, 2024, 10:58:07 PM I've been wondering the same thing !! I also got a pair of 18w SOX lamps recently and have nothing to run them with . Like you , I would also like to know exactly what I'd need to run them safely without all of the Technobabble !  Unlike you , I live in 120v 60Hz. land so I'd guess the answer to your question would be different from mine ? Yes, the answers would be different since the 240v 50hz countries stuck with preheat and the 120v 60hz countries adapted rapid start
		Logged

Fluro starter pings combined with a 50hz ballast hum and blinking tubes is music to my ears.

Rest in Peace Electronic Lamp Manufacturers of Australia
1925-2002

Bring back the AJF Zodiacs!

Total incidents since joining LG: 17
Lamps accidently broken or smashed: 14
Ballast explosions/burnouts: 3

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #6 on: February 25, 2024, 02:25:15 AM » Author: Lightingguy1994
I've successfully used two lamp F32T8 ballasts on SOX18 as a test, and it worked perfectly and seemed to be the proper brightness. See that result here: https://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-167790]https://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-167790 I haven't verified that it's a perfect match but perhaps someone more equipped could look into it and share the details. For my test it worked great
« Last Edit: February 25, 2024, 02:27:29 AM by Lightingguy1994 »		Logged

Administrator #5

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #7 on: February 25, 2024, 02:43:08 AM » Author: 108CAM
That's good but I don't live in the USA. I'm in Australia and the only 32w ballasts we have are for 32w circline tubes, not linear tubes. Should I upload a photo of the ballasts and starters I have so you can see the current they put out? Remember 120v 60hz and 240v 50hz aren't the same and there are no linear F32T8 tubes in Australia. We only have 32w circline tubes which run off a single 32w ballast.
		Logged

Fluro starter pings combined with a 50hz ballast hum and blinking tubes is music to my ears.

Rest in Peace Electronic Lamp Manufacturers of Australia
1925-2002

Bring back the AJF Zodiacs!

Total incidents since joining LG: 17
Lamps accidently broken or smashed: 14
Ballast explosions/burnouts: 3

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #8 on: February 25, 2024, 04:04:15 AM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
As a North American LG member myself, I have certainly have problems running 18W SOX low pressure sodium lamps on 120V 60Hz F20T12 preheat fluorescent tube ballasts due to the low OCV. However, I have tried using some 277V 60Hz F20T12 preheat fluorescent tube ballasts in conjunction with step up transformers and I have ended up successfully running 18W SOX low pressure sodium lamps in conjunction with a glowbottle starter rated for 4 foot F40T12 fluorescent tubes. See here: https://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=5&pid=209007 Because of this difference in OCV between 120V and 277V, you should have very little problems using a typical 240V 50Hz single lamp F18T8 preheat fluorescent tube series choke ballast in order to run 18W SOX low pressure sodium lamps in conjunction with 4-65W fluorescent tube starters. Other members who live in countries where the domestic mains supply is between 220V and 240V have had no problems running 18W SOX low pressure sodium lamps using these setups. Those successful experiments have lead me to try my 277V preheat fluorescent choke ballast/step up transformer experiment for running 18W SOX low pressure sodium lamps where 240V 60Hz supplies were not readily available in my apartment even though 240V 60Hz supplies are available in other North American homes specifically for high current residential appliances like dryers, electric stoves, and AC units. However, you will certainly have problems of you try running a pair of 18W SOX low pressure sodium lamps in series off of a F36T8 preheat fluorescent tube series choke ballast if you do use a 4-22W series starter for each lamp.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2024, 04:13:49 AM by WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA »		Logged

Desire to collect various light bulbs (especially HID), control gear, and fixtures from around the world.

DISCLAIMER: THE EXPERIMENTS THAT I CONDUCT INVOLVING UNUSUAL LAMP/BALLAST COMBINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES.

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #12 on: February 25, 2024, 02:51:55 PM » Author: Mandolin Girl
Quote from: Laurens on February 25, 2024, 08:43:01 AM Take care, think twice before mucking around with mains voltage. I've been doing this for 15 years without getting a single zap from mains. I'm confident in my ability to keep it that way but even at 110v you can get stuck on a live wire and be fully concious the entire time you're dieing. Most don't die obviously but... yeah. I wish I was as lucky as you.!  Luckily I was crouching when I got the belt, and was thrown off the socket I was replacing when the power was turned back on unexpectedly, otherwise...
		Logged

Hugs and STUFF Sammi xXx (also in Aberdeen)
Published Author
There are two kinds of light  -  the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.
James Thurber
SMILEY ONLY ANSWERS WILL BE DELETED FROM MY POSTS

	Re: Is it true that 18w SOX lamps can run off a F18T8 ballast and starter? « Reply #14 on: February 25, 2024, 02:59:48 PM » Author: Mandolin Girl
Oww.!
		Logged

Hugs and STUFF Sammi xXx (also in Aberdeen)
Published Author
There are two kinds of light  -  the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.
James Thurber
SMILEY ONLY ANSWERS WILL BE DELETED FROM MY POSTS