Lighting-Gallery.net

Lanterns/Fixtures => Modern => Topic started by: sol on January 07, 2012, 06:28:00 PM

Title: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: sol on January 07, 2012, 06:28:00 PM
I am looking for a good source of new magnetic ballasts for F13T5 lamps. I am considering building a lighted music stand and would need 13 watt T5 lamps as all others are either too short or too big. I can't find any F13T5 ballasts online. Apart from eBay, does anyone know where I can find one ?

I know that a two-lamp F8T5 ballast would work since it would be an autotransformer. I found this one (http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/357/BA-H2B13TPWM.html) on 1000 bulbs, it is for two PL 13 watt lamps in series but I am wondering if I could use it for a single F13T5 lamp. Thanks for any help you may offer.
Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: Ash on January 07, 2012, 07:48:35 PM
I have a 1x13W T5 240V fixture. The ballast in it is :

ERC MEC 75
230V 50HZ Tw130 dt60/95

W | A | cos F
10W | 190mA | 0.41
13W | 0.175 | 0.50
2x7W | 0.175 | 0.50
2x9W | 0.150 | 0.58

So i guess that 1x10/13W PL-D or 2x9W series PL-S ballasts can work with the 1x13W T5

Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: sol on January 07, 2012, 08:35:58 PM
Thank you, Ash. Sorry, I forgot to mention that this ballast must be 120V 60 Hz for Canada.
Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: Patrick on January 07, 2012, 09:12:37 PM
Here are a couple of options.

Robertson SN13PSCWC (http://semperlite.com/products/ballasts/main.php?PR_ProductID=1357) (Magnetic Preheat)
Radionic E1813NP (http://semperlite.com/products/ballasts/main.php?PR_ProductID=2542) (Magnetic Instant Start)
Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: Michael on January 08, 2012, 09:50:39 AM
You may look after a Vossloh- Schwabe branch in Canada as I know that they are having some ballasts for F13T5 for 120v/60Hz countries....
Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: sol on January 08, 2012, 10:23:52 AM
@monkeyface : I would, however, I can't find a VS distributor in Canada. The only one I know is Semperlite, and I don't think they ship to Canada. In fact, a VS ballast would be my first choice, since I think they are of good quality. The choke in my F8T5 Lampi fixture is a VS and is very quiet, and does not heat up too much.
Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: Ash on January 08, 2012, 04:22:08 PM
There are also Israeli Eltam ballasts which are made together by Eltam and Vossloh Scwabe

http://eltam-eh.com/pdf/EH_CFL_Ballasts.pdf

The only 13W PL-D ballast for voltages around 120V they have is rated 127V, is it close enough ?
Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: funkybulb on January 09, 2012, 07:02:58 PM
here a preheat ballast on ebay for F13T5 it seem a little steep but i think it a way to go if your looking for a
reliable ballast. here the link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GE-BALLAST-8G1713F-CLASS-P-38AMP-38A-118Volt-8G1713-/230700103028?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b6cc3574
Title: Re: Good source for F13T5 ballasts
Post by: sol on January 09, 2012, 09:59:31 PM
@funkybulb : Thank you for the eBay link. Unfortunately, they only ship to the USA, but I could possibly contact them and ask if they ship to Canada.

I have, however, given some thought to my project, and since it is somewhat of an experiment as well as a useful tool, I am thinking of using a single F30T8 lamp instead of two F13T5 in tandem (end-to-end). The music stand is to expand lenghtwise the built-in music stand on my piano. It only holds three sheets side by side, and I would like to build one of clear plastic (Lexan) that spans almost the entire width of the piano (48 inches). The lamp would go in the bottom portion (the part on which the bottom of the sheets rest) and with a clear cover on top and on bottom, the tube will light the music and the keyboard. Similar music stands can be found on Rodgers electronic organs.

The best part in using F30T8 instead of F13T5 is that I already have a ballast to drive such a tube.