i have a display case in my store, it has 1 florescent bulb (slimline F65T6-cw) the ballast is getting hot and starting to stink after a couple of hours. i want to replace it but the local supply house says $200 for a ballast. this seems really high for a 1 bulb light. the ballast # is 8g3922w " class P 120v 60hz 45 amps".

i dont know anything about these things. can someone point me in the right direction. maybe i can order it somewhere online.

thanks, mark

A lot of times, when the ballast goes out, it can be cheaper to buy a whole new fixture. Have you priced one? I would advise doing so...and then decide on ballast replacement vs new fixture.

thanks kevin, but the switch and ballast are in the bottom of the case and the light is in the top. it is a jewelry display case.
if is was 1 peice i probably would.

Heres the specs Mark...
http://www.advancetransformer.com/eCatalog/out/601829571.pdf

You can use this to find an alternative. Just make sure things are close. Volts, amos, freqs, etc, etc.

If you haven't already disconnected power you should do that before leaving cause those failed ballasts can stink to high-heaven and melt and make a huge mess. Also - $200 sounds way expensive for a 1-lamp flour. ballast.

Mark,I think Harley got it right :thumbsup: ...if not , can you get me the overall dimensions and where the wires come out at. Also is there an ANSI code. (usually it is a 2 digit number) That might help find a replacement as well. If you like, I will then talk to my lighting distributor for a $$ and a local dealer near you....:) I agree with Bill, $200 seems crazy, also are you sure it's 45 amps? It must be .45...:D

Loew's always has a great selection of ballasts. Ballast selection is based on the wattage and number of bulbs. Ballasts for that should run no more than $20-25.

F65T6 cw means 65 watt T6 size bulb cool white. I think T6 is the fatter typical flurescent tube which is like 1 1/2" diameter.

alan

thanks guys i knew i could count on you for some answers. mike, i will PM you tomorrow with more info in it.
harley that diagram is great.
alan it is actually a skinny bulb 1 inch tops
mark

man...what a place.

this site is awesome.

No problem Mark. I will be away from the PC for most of the day but I should be able to get you the info early next week...:) Harley, your right, this is an awesome sight! :thumbsup:

Mark, measure the length of the tube and diam, copy the specs on the tube and go to Lowe's.The ballasts have diagrams on them which state if the ballast is for one, two or three tubes and what spec the tubes are.

Plus, Loew's will take back anything with a receipt.

alan

i have a display case in my store, it has 1 florescent bulb (slimline F65T6-cw) the ballast is getting hot and starting to stink after a couple of hours. i want to replace it but the local supply house says $200 for a ballast. this seems really high for a 1 bulb light. the ballast # is 8g3922w " class P 120v 60hz 45 amps".

i dont know anything about these things. can someone point me in the right direction. maybe i can order it somewhere online.

thanks, mark

A T6 is a 3/4" diameter. Speaking flourescents the number after the letter = 1/8 of an inch. For example T12 is 12/8s or 1 1/2". A T8 is 8/8" or 1", and T6 is 6/8" or 3/4"..etc...

Your ballast is on the pricey side because it is unique being a T6. If you can't do any better than you have already. Let me know, I should be able to get one SM-151-S-TP ballast with a new F64T6/CW bulb for a touch over a hundred and whatever it is to ship it.

If you would like, let me know.:thumbsup:

Oh, and the CW in the part number just means cool white and in general means it has a kelvin temp of 4100 or close to equal sun light.
The other choice is "ww" which is warm white and more along the lines of 3100 kelvin temp. or close to that of incandescents bulbs and "yellower" light.

Tim, Did you sleep at a Holliday Inn last night?

No....

But I have another thought if keypilot chimes back in. I may have an idea if he is willing to replace the existing ballast and bulb combination.

For example, if you want to try to switch to an electronic ballast with a pair of compact plug-in style bulb. This could be a much cheaper way to go...;) I have one more place to look to see if I happen to have what you need laying around.

Let me know if you want to know more.

wow tim, i am guessing you have seen 1 or 2 of these huh? lol

it is the light for my diamond jewelry display case so yellow light would be bad. as for a pair of compact plug-in style bulbs, i dont know if this would fit in my case. (glass top and glass front) there is only about 2 inches of top and front corner where the light fits.

mike (zuma) is going to check for me on monday with a lightng supply house. i will let you know how that goes.

alan, the closest lowes is about 150 miles from me. i asked at home depot, but they said 4 foot lights was the biggest ballast they had and didnt have a book to order it from (yeah right!)

thanks everyone

Definitely the reason you are looking at high cost is the fact it's a T6, about the best thing you can hope for is somebody can get you a good price at a distributor. We deal with T5's and T6's a lot in the higher end office buildings we do, and they are just more expensive.
You could change things and go a different route, but keep in mind if the case is side by side another one, or it is designed specifically for display (which I'm sure it is) any variances from what you have will really stand out from the others and probably not cast as complementary light in your case.
I would reccomend trying to replace the ballast with one of the same specs, and keep the light with the same part number and possibly even the same mfg., sometimes even the same part number and different mfg. will cast a different light.

The 65 in the lamp code refers to the length of the bulb. This F64T6 ballast should work if it fits in your fixture:

http://www.servicelighting.com/catalog_product.cfm?prod=RB00064