Anyone know where the cheapest place to buy transformers for flourescent tubing is? Only need a couple to power say two tubes each, so they dont need to be huge.
Cheers.
Full Version: Flourescent tubes
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By "Transformer", I'm guessing you mean the Ballast that is used within a standard fluorescent fitting?.
Online: Try QVS - they boast of offering trade prices, to the general public, and have Credit Card facilities on their site. They do Ballast's, but you may have to email them for prices
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Failing that, just try your local Electrical Suppliers, these often supply goods to Electricians and Builders etc, but have a trade counter and will deal with the general public
. You'll often find a list of them in the Yellow Pages. If you have a branch of TN Robinson near to you, then this company is competitive and reliable.
Don't forget, if you are building these from scratch, you will also need the Starter and Starter Fitting which also connects to the ballast.
Online: Try QVS - they boast of offering trade prices, to the general public, and have Credit Card facilities on their site. They do Ballast's, but you may have to email them for prices
.Failing that, just try your local Electrical Suppliers, these often supply goods to Electricians and Builders etc, but have a trade counter and will deal with the general public
. You'll often find a list of them in the Yellow Pages. If you have a branch of TN Robinson near to you, then this company is competitive and reliable.Don't forget, if you are building these from scratch, you will also need the Starter and Starter Fitting which also connects to the ballast.
I dabbled with Instant Start/Dimming Ballasts a few years ago.
The main problem was reliability, or lack of it.
I used the tubes on dimming ballasts and a crossfading controller, so that the "red" tube would start to fade as the "blue" tube started to brighten, etc,,etc,,.
The problem was that the tubes always started to blacken from the ends, inwards, after only a few weeks worth of Disco's, and looked burnt, causing comments questioning reliability.
Now, Im open minded enough to think that "todays" instant ballasts/dimming ballasts might have gotten around the blackening issues. So, Good luck. Remember that the ballasts are VERY picky about what wattage tube(s) they will drive, and remember too that slimline flourscent tubes are different wattages from the traditional (2 inch diameter-ish) tubes.
If you're wondering how to colour the output from the tubes, you can get filter gel sleeves which come on a roll, in various colours. These are easy to fit, simply unroll 2ft or 4ft of the sleeve, open up one end (tricky, a bit like supermarket carrier bags), and then slide the tube in. I HAVE seen them around recently, but cant remember which supplier/manufacturer.
The main problem was reliability, or lack of it.
I used the tubes on dimming ballasts and a crossfading controller, so that the "red" tube would start to fade as the "blue" tube started to brighten, etc,,etc,,.
The problem was that the tubes always started to blacken from the ends, inwards, after only a few weeks worth of Disco's, and looked burnt, causing comments questioning reliability.
Now, Im open minded enough to think that "todays" instant ballasts/dimming ballasts might have gotten around the blackening issues. So, Good luck. Remember that the ballasts are VERY picky about what wattage tube(s) they will drive, and remember too that slimline flourscent tubes are different wattages from the traditional (2 inch diameter-ish) tubes.
If you're wondering how to colour the output from the tubes, you can get filter gel sleeves which come on a roll, in various colours. These are easy to fit, simply unroll 2ft or 4ft of the sleeve, open up one end (tricky, a bit like supermarket carrier bags), and then slide the tube in. I HAVE seen them around recently, but cant remember which supplier/manufacturer.
Of course another good, very effective alternative to the Fluorescent Tube is cold cathode lighting, mentioned elsewhere by Jorge. These are more commonly used by car enthusiasts and in PC's but have the appearance of Fluorescent tubes but without being as fragile and with the advantage of a very long life, little heat output and operate from a safe 12V supply.
They are also available in all sorts of colours from Neon Pink and Bright Purple to Fluorescent Green! .
An example of Cold Cathode Tubes can be found HERE - although a US Site, they are easily obtainable within the UK. Ideal for making Sign Boxes etc. I may even get around to making a circuit to flash / sequence them!.
They are also available in all sorts of colours from Neon Pink and Bright Purple to Fluorescent Green!
.An example of Cold Cathode Tubes can be found HERE - although a US Site, they are easily obtainable within the UK. Ideal for making Sign Boxes etc. I may even get around to making a circuit to flash / sequence them!.
Wrong end of the stick!
I mean proper flourescent tubes. The ones that run at about 10,000 volts, filled with neon, argon etc. Most electrical suppliers dont do these sort of transformers. Its for a nightclub i service. Have aquired a couple more tubes and just need the transformers to run them and need to find somewhere to get the transformers without having an account.
I mean proper flourescent tubes. The ones that run at about 10,000 volts, filled with neon, argon etc. Most electrical suppliers dont do these sort of transformers. Its for a nightclub i service. Have aquired a couple more tubes and just need the transformers to run them and need to find somewhere to get the transformers without having an account.
Back in my earlier days (OK OK hush up) I used to use 2 x UV 4ft strips, and I found the easiest way to wire these up was to go to your local fish tank supplier. There you can buy the whole starter ballast etc in one unit with fly leads for the tube but these also featured waterproof end caps because of condensation in fish tank cabinets ............ no more problems with spilt drinks etc!
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What size are you looking for johnny?
If its what i think you are after you wont find any in your local DIY store. there are a coupple of mail order shops and internet sites. I will try and find one or two but your after a very narrow window in the market, good luke trying to find them.
But i will try and help
Tom
edit:
not used them but one of the links i have.
http://www.crawfordhk.com/
i beleve
http://www.intertronics.co.uk
do them
your best bet is to get a 'friend' in industry to get there suppliers lists and get it on there next batch. But i have no friends
hope that helped
If its what i think you are after you wont find any in your local DIY store. there are a coupple of mail order shops and internet sites. I will try and find one or two but your after a very narrow window in the market, good luke trying to find them.
But i will try and help
Tom
edit:
not used them but one of the links i have.
http://www.crawfordhk.com/
i beleve
http://www.intertronics.co.uk
do them
your best bet is to get a 'friend' in industry to get there suppliers lists and get it on there next batch. But i have no friends
hope that helped
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