I purchased a lot of GE Fluorescent 21W 2D 4 pin butterfly CFL to E26 screw base adapters from e-Bay (like
this) and I am now looking at where to source bulbs to use.
The adapter/ballast states it is designed for 120V 60Hz which is what I need as I am in the USA... E-bay seems to be the only place with 2D bulbs in stock, but as I do not want to pay e-Ripoff prices for NOS 2D bulbs, I am looking at Alibaba to source these bulbs as China appears to be (probably the only place) still manufacturing them and they can be purchased for only a couple dollars each. The Chinese manufacturer lists their 21W bulb as designed for 220V, but is 220V a requirement that matters to the tube? I would think that the voltage listed on the ballast/adapter is more important, and that having the correct wattage on the bulb is most important for that component?
Seeing as how GE Lighting was manufacturing 2D bulbs in Great Britain for Europe, where voltage is 220V, I am assuming that the bulbs themselves do not need to run on a specific line voltage as long as the ballast/adapter is providing the correct power input. Further supporting that assumption is the fact that the GE Lighting packaging for NOS 2D bulbs only makes mention of wattage, not voltage or frequency. My guess is that the manufacturer on Alibaba listed the bulb as 220V because more of their customers utilize that line voltage, but that the bulbs would work on 120V line voltage.
Am I correct in my assumption?
To address any questions as to why I am looking to use this type of bulb and ballast specifically: I have ceiling-mounted ceramic fixtures in my basement which I would like to light with fluorescent lighting. Self-ballasted CFLs should not be run ballast-up, so my options are: 1) buy a Circlite E26 adapter/ballast and use Circline bulbs or 2) buy a 2D Butterfly E26 adapter/ballast and use 2D bulbs. I found it extremely difficult to find a large amount of Circlite E-26 adapter/ballasts for sale at a good price, but I was able to find these 2D E-26 adapter/ballasts for a good price.