Do I replace the ballast?

HappyHippyDad · Aug 19, 2022

I have narrowed the fault down to the ballast in this fitting. See picture.

I cannot find an identical ballast. Blimey, there must be hundreds!

Is there a similar ballast I can use? Bearing in mind the existing cables, both supply and load, are terminated into little blocks that clip in either side of the ballast. Or, are there other options? I never work in commercial settings, hence having a limited knowledge. This is for a friend who runs a local charity shop, hence having a look. The word hence seems to be a common theme

, a bit like the word 'damn' during the early years of @davesparks threads

Rockingit · Aug 19, 2022

Is that a fly killer? It might be easier and cheaper just to replace it.

HappyHippyDad · Aug 19, 2022

Rockingit said:
Is that a fly killer? It might be easier and cheaper just to replace it.

That's kind of what I as thinking, but having not done this before I thought that may be a bit extravagant, also finding a fitting exactly the same size may be just as hard.

Here it is in situ. It's not a fly killer

Rockingit · Aug 19, 2022

I'm a bit out of touch with wholesalers these days but that used to be the sort of thing you'd get on the shelf - a twin electronic ballast. The make doesn' really matter.

HappyHippyDad · Aug 19, 2022

How about this?

4008321390172 | Osram 55 W Electronic Compact Fluorescent Lighting Ballast, 220 → 240 V | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Same physical dimensions, but the load clip looks different and the numbers do not match up.

HappyHippyDad · Aug 19, 2022

If it is as simple as replacing the panel, then I think I will do that. I'm guessing most panels are a generic size? It seems that an entire fitting is not very expensive.....

30w LED Panel 300 x 600 Surface Mount Ceiling Down Light Cool White

Long Life Lamp Company 30w Surface Mount LED panels are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, Designed to be surface mounted to ceilings and walls or can be used as pendants. These panels are manufactured to the highest possible stand

energylightbulbs.co.uk

telectrix · Aug 19, 2022

HappyHippyDad said:
If it is as simple as replacing the panel, then I think I will do that. I'm guessing most panels are a generic size? It seems that an entire fitting is not very expensive.....

30w LED Panel 300 x 600 Surface Mount Ceiling Down Light Cool White

Long Life Lamp Company 30w Surface Mount LED panels are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, Designed to be surface mounted to ceilings and walls or can be used as pendants. These panels are manufactured to the highest possible stand

energylightbulbs.co.uk

try here:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.tridonic.com/com/de/download/data_sheets/DS_PC_T8_TOP_18-58W_en.pdf

littlespark · Aug 19, 2022

You could try eBay….

Tridonic 2x55 Balkast for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Tridonic 2x55 Balkast. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

Cheap enough… but the time taken to swap it over might be more than changing the fitting.

GBDamo · Aug 19, 2022

littlespark said:
You could try eBay….

Tridonic 2x55 Balkast for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Tridonic 2x55 Balkast. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

Cheap enough… but the time taken to swap it over might be more than changing the fitting.

Changing a ballast is much quicker, once you've done a few it's a doddle.

Just drop the old one down, fix the new one in its place and transfer the wires one at a time.

Well, I say much..... depends if rhw fittings are on a Clik type plug, which is equally rapid.

As an aside, why is it every fitting have to replace is always direct wired and the one with the loop in, out and switch drop, always?

7029 dave · Aug 19, 2022

The ballast (choke) is really the expense of the whole fitting, so maybe best just to replace the whole cha bang.

westward10 · Aug 19, 2022

HappyHippyDad said:
If it is as simple as replacing the panel, then I think I will do that. I'm guessing most panels are a generic size? It seems that an entire fitting is not very expensive.....

30w LED Panel 300 x 600 Surface Mount Ceiling Down Light Cool White

Long Life Lamp Company 30w Surface Mount LED panels are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, Designed to be surface mounted to ceilings and walls or can be used as pendants. These panels are manufactured to the highest possible stand

energylightbulbs.co.uk

I assume this is a retail outlet and your duff fitting is what I call a wash light not a solid flat panel and they do LED versions.

jay sean · Aug 19, 2022

you might find the ballast is not made anymore, might want to go to a lighting specialist and they might be able to get one similar

loz2754 · Aug 19, 2022

Or bypass the ballast and fit LED lamps.

HappyHippyDad · Aug 20, 2022

westward10 said:
I assume this is a retail outlet and your duff fitting is what I call a wash light not a solid flat panel and they do LED versions.

Well sort of. It's main purpose is to allow single parents to meet up with their kids. It does sell cards to make a bit of cash.

Is there a proper name for the type of light I am looking for? It slots into the ceiling, being help up with an interlacing metal network. The ceiling is all the same, polystyrene type squares all slotted into the same metal framework.

I've been searching for 'recessed panel light', but perhaps their is a proper name for it.

Midwest · Aug 20, 2022

Those ballasts look pretty similar to the ones we've had to replace in my work place. Just took the old one to my wholesaler (Rexel) and they found me a replacement. Think it was about £40-50.

timhoward · Aug 20, 2022

Search for LED panel. Be wary that the majority are square.

As someone said above, rewiring the internals for LED tubes also works, it’s as simple as a pair of wires to one end of each tube, remove all other wiring (ballast, starter) but leave the capacitor that’s in parallel with the supply.
5way wagos make it very quick.
The direction the tubes are fitted matters, one end can be a dead short on some makes. They are marked “supply this end”

GBDamo · Aug 20, 2022

This ballast will do, it's nothing the same footprint but is the same pin layout.
The lamps are 55w TC-L which areabout £10 a pop, factor in delivery and you're getting upto £50 to refurbish the existing light.

Screenshot_20220820-094452_Samsung Internet.jpg

If the look of the lighting is not important then search for "600×300 LED Panel Light" which can be had for about £25.

I was going to post "good luck getting an LED conversion tube for those" but what do I know....

Screenshot_20220820-095719_Samsung Internet.jpg

littlespark · Aug 20, 2022

If this is one of many identical fittings in one room, it might be a chance to upsell the lot for LED.
One different light will be noticed… brighter, different colour etc…

Push to the customer of energy saving… “ it’ll pay for itself in x time….. if energy prices stay the same….”

freddo · Aug 20, 2022

I'd just swap the ballast, it will look bad if there is one light fitting different or fitted with different lamps to the others.

brianmoooore · Aug 20, 2022

Much prefer littlespark's solution to freddo's. Sell it as a one off, permanent solution to all the fittings, which will pay for itself, and (probably) never need maintenance.

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