Eballast

[cherabin]

Have always been using either Ebiru or Osram Eballast for my 36W PLL. Been caught in the nano scene recently and hence the use of 1'/1.5' lightsets all bought stock from LFS. Anyone can advise if either Ebiru or Osram produces eballast for PL tubes in the 7W to 13W range?

[tawauboy]

you can use a higher wattage ballast to drive a lower wattage tube.

[cherabin]

you can use a higher wattage ballast to drive a lower wattage tube.

Would the power consumption be lower as compared to say, driving a 36W PLL with a 36W eballast?

[aqualover]

technically yes, but i believe you'll shorten the lifespan of the tube if you do that. Will cost you more with frequent tube replacements in the long run. imho

[tawauboy]

Would the power consumption be lower as compared to say, driving a 36W PLL with a 36W eballast?

yes. the power consumption depends on the load.
if you are driving a 18w tube using a 40w e-ballast (no 36w e-ballast), the power consumed will be around 20w (e-ballast losses).
if you ae driving a 36w tube using a 40w e-ballast, the power consumed will be around 38w.

[tawauboy]

technically yes, but i believe you'll shorten the lifespan of the tube if you do that. Will cost you more with frequent tube replacements in the long run. imho

the lifespan of the tube should not not be shortened because the tube is not overdriven.

[kktan]

if i use 18w pl tube on a 36w e-ballast, would it consumes a lot of unused power?

[tawauboy]

if i use 18w pl tube on a 36w e-ballast, would it consumes a lot of unused power?

refer to post#5 above.

[kktan]

thank you. Mr. Liew

[bclee]

yes. the power consumption depends on the load.
if you are driving a 18w tube using a 40w e-ballast (no 36w e-ballast), the power consumed will be around 20w (e-ballast losses).
if you ae driving a 36w tube using a 40w e-ballast, the power consumed will be around 38w.

Is that true?

I always have the impression that the ballast acts as a current limiting device by inductance. Will having a higher power ballast cause a over current in the fluorescent tube?

Please help me understand this.

Thanks!

BC