After a recent question about electronic ballast for fluorescent lights
I reached GE & Motorola, got this info (more to follow):
Electronic ballasts add no heat as magnetic ones do, draw less
current, & can be installed just by plugging in (thumb plug), or used as
retrofit when old ballasts give out (or whatever reason) also without
rewiring.
The only ballpark price I could get was "about $25 for a 2-light rapid
start" ballast. For the T-8 bulb (the smaller diameter) they come for 1,
2, and 4-light fixtures in rapid start,for 2 foot & 4 foot lamps.
The bad news is that only one model is available for the T-12
(bigger diameter) bulb, still the most popular bulb I believe, and that
will be discontinued at some point, as the trend is to the T-8 bulb. The
available model is for the 4-foot lamp.
The reason for the shift to T-8, apparently, is that it uses less
electricity -- although it also gives less light (about 20% less).
The ballasts are made by Motorola, distributed by GE. Look for GE
distributor in your yellow pages (even in Australia the man said). And/or
call GE 800 number (which I do not have since I called a local number). I am
promised a ballast catalog by (snail) mail and will post whatever further
info, including 800 number, it yields.
Meanwhile, catalog number for 2-light rapid start is
M-2RN-T8 1LL (followed by 120 or 277 according to voltage)
or for fatter bulb substitute T-12 for the T-8.
And let there be (UV) light ..........
Judy