Date code for vintage GE ballast « on: June 19, 2023, 10:41:29 PM » Author: Preheat_Carson
I have a GE pre heat ballast with cloth wires for 2 40 watt fluorescent lamps. The date code is WG There is a number 3 on the ballast also Can anyone tell me how old this ballast is? Cat. 58G983
« Last Edit: June 20, 2023, 04:13:23 AM by Preheat_Carson »		Logged

I love vintage fluorescent and modern LEDs. Just wish they would stop the bans on fluorescent when they make LEDs!

	Re: Date code for vintage GE ballast « Reply #1 on: July 05, 2023, 08:48:43 AM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
My best estimate would possibly be sometime between the 1940s and 1950s.
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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: Date code for vintage GE ballast « Reply #2 on: July 07, 2023, 05:03:08 PM » Author: funkybulb
GE used to have a date code chart for ballast  On the  internet.  To tell if a ballast have PCB or not
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No LED gadgets, spins too slowly.  Gotta  love preheat and MV. let the lights keep my meter spinning.

	Re: Date code for vintage GE ballast « Reply #3 on: July 07, 2023, 05:18:55 PM » Author: wide-lite 1000
https://www.lighting-gallery.net/index.php?topic=10760.msg88165#msg88165
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Collector,Hoarder,Pack-rat! Clear mercury Rules!!

	Re: Date code for vintage GE ballast « Reply #5 on: November 03, 2025, 09:58:47 AM » Author: tigerelectronics
I'd be interested to know how to decode them aswell, I suspect I may have one from the mid 40's, but I can't be sure without some help. Probably has a PCB filled capacitor internally, but I'm not very scared of them, it works fine and I use it daily and never had any issues with it. Daily use helps keep the moisture from entering the paper dielectric too
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Fluorescent tube hoarder