Emergency Lighting Ballast conundrum

2BobSparky · Jun 1, 2012

Hi all,

Have a faulty em. lighting ballast, whenever I fit a new battery pack to the ballast it puts the light out.

Replaced a number of battery packs on like for like fittings and didn't encounter this problem.

Went to order a new ballast and now boss is whinging about the cost.

Any other thing I could possibly do here besides change the ballast outright?

Thanks

aaelectric · Jun 1, 2012

2BobSparky said:
Hi all,

Have a faulty em. lighting ballast, whenever I fit a new battery pack to the ballast it puts the light out.

Replaced a number of battery packs on like for like fittings and didn't encounter this problem.

Went to order a new ballast and now boss is whinging about the cost.

Any other thing I could possibly do here besides change the ballast outright?

Thanks

I have recently done loads of em bulk head and fire exit signs.
if chabgib bulb dont work change battery and rest the lights as they have relays which will not operate until there restet turn on off..

B16 Tom · Jun 3, 2012

Hi is this in a commercial premises as i have had the same problem. Its normally to do with an X~OR or CP lighting system

2BobSparky · Jul 10, 2012

B16 Tom said:
Hi is this in a commercial premises as i have had the same problem. Its normally to do with an X~OR or CP lighting system

Indeed it is, commercial tenancy landlord's stairwell.

Just following up this thread with another few questions for anybody that can answer regarding more specifically this time emergency lighting battery packs and the specs found on emergency light ballasts.

Looking at a number of different emergency ballasts they all seem to have the respective battery pack that they should be connected to i.e. "5 x 4ah battery pack", "4 x 1.5/1.6/4Ah", "3 cells 4Ah", "10 x 4Ah" etc.

What does the "5 x" or "4 x" stand for for instance? Is that the number of cells?

On ballasts marked with the suitable battery pack as listed above, how are you supposed to know what voltage the battery pack is?

Finally, if a ballast is marked as being suitable for a particular battery pack specifications is that the be all and end all of it and it simply won't charge unless the exact battery pack specifications are met?

Farmelectrics · Jul 11, 2012

if its the ballast you need a new one simple as if your boss wont buy a new one fine the light stays off

B16 Tom · Jul 11, 2012

2BobSparky said:
Indeed it is, commercial tenancy landlord's stairwell.

Just following up this thread with another few questions for anybody that can answer regarding more specifically this time emergency lighting battery packs and the specs found on emergency light ballasts.

Looking at a number of different emergency ballasts they all seem to have the respective battery pack that they should be connected to i.e. "5 x 4ah battery pack", "4 x 1.5/1.6/4Ah", "3 cells 4Ah", "10 x 4Ah" etc.

What does the "5 x" or "4 x" stand for for instance? Is that the number of cells?

On ballasts marked with the suitable battery pack as listed above, how are you supposed to know what voltage the battery pack is?

Finally, if a ballast is marked as being suitable for a particular battery pack specifications is that the be all and end all of it and it simply won't charge unless the exact battery pack specifications are met?

The right battery pack has to be fitted for 2 reasons as far as i no, 1 the correct volts or amps has to pass over in order to switch the relay, 2 the fittings will only be designed to fit that pack. Admittadley you can adjust this by drilling out etc but is always a hassle.
The ballest you are having problems with is it a combo ballest?? or is there 2 seperate ballest normally an emg and a standered ballest. If you give me all the details i will try a similar set up at work when i get 5

qiangshunxingp · Jul 12, 2012

they have relays which will not operate until there restet turn on off..

Morgan Lamarra · Jul 12, 2012

The main operating difference is they consume more power as you go up the square led lights. I used the led modules ones in the kitchen inside a deep well with thick diffusers. I used the extra low output one in the bathroom with a low ceiling and more led power supply than we really needed (used existing fixtures, but replaced the ballasts inside them). I use the same T-8 tubes in both and so far no problems.