PL lights & eballast

[uyopong]

Hi'

1.have anyone used Osram PL 55W 860 lamps? What is the temperature of this lamp and how many hours can it last or will it change colours/intensity?I've used taiwan made PL before but it change from bright white to yellowish after 2 months with 10 hrs per day used.

2.What is the drawing current for 55W PL lights if used with eballast should be?

3.Is oversized eballast good or not good for PL and eballast itself?

thanks

[juggler]

Osram 860 means 6000k. Someone (was it bclee?) told me that Osram ones are good in that it retains its brightness for much longer period.

eBallast used with the 55W PL are usually rated 58W. One brand is Elbiru available from Nature Aquarium (Thomson Rd). The LFS also sells 55W PL.

[joe]

IMO my Osram PL tubes indeed maintain its brightness much longer and hence I feel its worth the money

As for eballast, try to get one that has closest rating and not too much higher ... eg. 55W goes with 58W eballast, 36W goes with the 36W eballast etc etc

[tawauboy]

a 55w pl lamp draws about 0.23 amps.

there is no need for oversized ballast. just use one which match the rating of the tube. there is no advantages.