Radionic E2813HP F8T5 Fluorescent Ballast's = Pieces Of Crap

2-Lamp Electronic Ballast Designed For 12" 8 Watt Bulbs

I got a couple of these recently...seemed like they might be good looking at the specs.
* High power factor.
* End of lamp life protection.
* Soft start (had no idea what this was..but figured its better than instant start)

They fire up in a way thats actually kind-a cool, first the lamp ends glow, then it lights - somewhat like a preheat light.
Electrically there is some sorta problem/flaw with these...something goes wrong in the circuit that creates a short & blows the fuse they have.
This isn't a thing that happens after long term use, we're talking ballasts that die for no apparent reason with less than one hour of run time on them!

These ballasts suck...avoid them! (if they didn't have the "design flaw" i would have counted them as "very good" and/or "cool" ... really too bad there)

Like my other videos, my computer does the talking...try not to die laughing when it says "what a pice of s**t" (LAMO its damn funny)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Radionic
• E2813HP
• F8T5
• Fluorescent
• Electronic Ballast

[RussHodes]

You know what, the label says it's 0.24 amps the the stock units I just opened up use 0.4 amp ballasts.  I agree, this brand is crap - poor quality and the sustaining voltage is in sufficient. But, I think you got the 220v version with the wrong label.

[XmasLightsGuy]

@RussHodes I'm not sure a 220v unit would even light on 120v...these did light at full brightness. I did crack one of these open & look at it, I think i determined at least one of the transistors had shorted (don't really remember now though)

The label does say .24a, are you saying it actually takes .4a? (wouldn't be the first time I've seen a ballast label with the wrong amperage listed).

I still have 1 working unit (out of 3) ...but i don't use it since the others were so bad.

[Syncopator]

So is there an equivalent or do I need to get new fixtures? I have about 5 lamps with these and two suddenly went dead which I've traced to the ballast.

[XmasLightsGuy]

@Syncopator Unfortunately I do not know of an equivalent for this one. If your fixtures have the space (and you felt comfortable doing it) you could convert them to the older-style magnetic preheat ballasts which are more reliable.

[Parrot175]

Where did you get those T5 sockets? I've been looking for those kind with the small metal piece that connect to the fixture.

[XmasLightsGuy]

@Parrot175 @Parrot175 Got them on eBay (only place i've seen them). Looks like the seller has listed more, item# 120518534124

[generator5500w]

next time use CFL ballast to save energy effect

[XmasLightsGuy]

@Y0uTube235 Yep those tubes are _well used_ & near EOL. Maybe those crappy ballasts would last a bit longer if ran below zero .. then again maybe they'd just blow instantly LOL

[TheDieselNut]

@XmasLightsGuy That is the truth!  Nothing lasts like a good ole preheat ballast!

[XmasLightsGuy]

@TheDieselNut Yeah all the F8's are basically at EOL, I need to take them to recycle at some point.

Crazy thing is the old electromagnetic ballasts are better made than the new electronic stuff which they say is supposed to be so much better. That old stuff was built to last...anymore it seems all that matters is 'cheapest manufacturing cost'