What's a ballast for?

[commandoz]

I've heard a lot about ballast? What exactly is it used for?

[avant]

it's used for the lights
normal ballast versus electronic ballast
e-ballast no need starter

[commandoz]

ic..ic... so if my lights have e-ballast(it doesn't seem to have a starter), does it mean that I can use watever walts of lights I want? Now I'm using 25W, I can buy and change to 30W or higher without any problems rite??

[Avery]

The ballast builds up a reservoir of charge so that it can supply enough voltage to light up (excite) the phosphors in the PL or FL tube. The ballast is normally rated around the wattage of the tube.

There wil be no problems if the ballast rating is almost equal to the wattage of tube, i.e. a 13W ballast used for a 11W tube or 18W tube. If the ballast rating is much higher than the tube wattage, e.g. a 40W ballast used for a 11W tube, the tube will blow.

On the other hand, if the ballast is too low, e.g. 13W ballast used for a 25W tube, the tube will operate at lower efficiency (lower lumens/brightness and that is no good for the tube) or worst, the tube does not light up at all.

[commandoz]

Wow.. so cheem huh... now I understand.. thanks.. :)

[commandoz]

Oh no.. another question....

how do I know wat's the wattage of my e-ballast huh???

[markyen]

it is usually stated on the ballast. if you are using the e-ballast from elbiru, which you can get from Chan, it is clearly stated on the ballast. There are some that can light up two tubes and those that are for single tube. I find e-ballast more economical to use in terms of power consumption and much less heat generated. The weight is far less than normal ballasts.
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the wiring on e-ballast is simple too. :) Currently I use e-ballast for all my lights, witht the excpetion for one of my Juwel tanks. I have however, manage to successfully convert my 2Ft Juwel tanks light holder to 2X 36W PL and change the ballast to e-ballast. Though that means I sacrifice water proof casings. :idea: