Magnetic rapid start ballast for small T5 lamps?

That's right. I had no idea they made such a thing. These ballasts will run 2 F4T5, 2 F6T5 or 2 F8T5. For some reason, I got a more interesting startup flicker out of the F6T5 lamps I had lying around than some of my F8T5. I also used F6T5 in the video because those were the closest matching in color temperature of the lamps I had that weren't being used inside of fixtures already. This ballast is a low power factor rapid start. Even though the label says preheat, this is definitely not a preheat ballast at all. In fact, Grainger even listed it as a trigger start ballast. Trigger start is another name for rapid start ballasts that power smaller lamps such as F20T12, F15T12, F15T8 or other smaller tubes normally found in preheat circuits. These were on clearance. I grabbed two which I plan to make a 4 lamp fixture out of. I kinda wish I had grabbed some more though. Oh well. There's always time for that. Besides, I'd rather other fellow collectors had a chance first. Needless to say it is very cool and also a bit surreal to see small T5 lamps starting up with the same kind of startup flicker you would normally see larger fluorescent fixtures starting up with. For that reason, I've uploaded this video for you to enjoy. The camera doesn't quite do it justice, but it's pretty close, not to mention it's still pretty cool to watch on screen here on youtube. Enjoy and remember to always use your wirenuts!!!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• rapid
• start
• f8t5
• f6t5
• f4t5
• startup
• flicker
• magnetic
• ballast
• cool
• alligator
• clips
• unusual
• weird

[XmasLightsGuy]

Very cool...i need to get me one of those ballasts!

[TheGeek1028]

T5's are awesome!

Do you have any CFL's?

[form109]

i really dont like T5's that much......Big Old T12's are my Favorites!....awesome video here anyway!

[BG101UK]

We do, in England anyway. Tran*Star used to make twin and single-lamp "switchless start" ballasts for most wattages including the T5 13w 21", and quite likely for 8W 12", 6W 9" as well, possibly also for 4W 6". I have several twin 40w (T12, 4ft) ballasts and the one I have in my kitchen uses a single 65W (T12, 5ft) ballast. The twin lamp ballasts start almost instantly, the single ones shimmer during startup. I'll post a video reply for each type in due course.

[bamaslamma1003]

Do you still have parts to make a mini shop light? That would be cool to have a rapid start one to go with the preheat one.

[brianfromLI]

Wow, Dave, great find! Those are cool...I never knew this type of ballast was made either.

[turgi65]

Yeah super cool! Too bad Europe standard dosen't have rapid start systems..:(.

[bamaslamma1003]

That's awesome. i didn't even know they made rapid start ballasts for T5 tubes.