FOR MY 4 watt preheat striplite,  the standard size ballast wont fit,  need the long and slim ballast,  mine is getting very loud so i assume it is getting ready to fail. if anybody knows where i can get one it would be helpful.  thanks.

FOR MY 4 watt preheat striplite,  the standard size ballast wont fit,  need the long and slim ballast,  mine is getting very loud so i assume it is getting ready to fail. if anybody knows where i can get one it would be helpful.  thanks.

If you don't mind lower efficacy, try 25W incandescent (or 5 pieces 24V/5W automotive lamps in series to fit into long, narrow space)...
Otherwise electronic ballast from some low wattage (5..7W) CFL...

Semperlite has a slim finger type preheat choke that should fit into your strip if a regular one won't. http://www.semperlite.com/Prod_bal_main.cfm?PR_ProductID=1362. There's the link. If you need a regular sized preheat choke though, I may have a couple of those lying around that I could lend. PS if you're still interested, I have a finished mini half piper on sale right now. I know you asked me about one earlier. Hope this is helpful.