Ballast question

[General Lee]

I have four, 8 foot fluorescent lights in my garage. Twin bulb fixtures. I replaced the ballast in two of the fixtures today because one light wouldn't come on despite new bulbs.

The lights are about 12 years old and the original ballast are huge and heavy. The new ones are slimmer and not quite as long. My question is, are new ballasts today quite smaller than years ago? Everything seems to working and the new ballast are listed to operate 6 or 8 foot T12 fixtures.

 

[mrb]

yes the new ballasts are alot smaller. the iron core, copper windings, and tar potting have been replaced with a pcb. they would be even smaller if it werent for it having to fit in the same mounting location as the old ones

 

[General Lee]

yes the new ballasts are alot smaller. the iron core, copper windings, and tar potting have been replaced with a pcb. they would be even smaller if it werent for it having to fit in the same mounting location as the old ones

Ok cool, I feel better now. Wanted to make sure I got the right ones.

 

[nehog]

Yep, not only smaller, and lighter, they work better too!

 

[Norcal]

The new electronic ballasts are not going to last like the older electromagnetic ballasts did.

 

[General Lee]

The new electronic ballasts are not going to last like the older electromagnetic ballasts did.

Damn shame. Them suckers were 40 bucks a piece. A whole new light fixture was about the same price.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The government no longer allows the manufacture of those heavy magnetic ballasts. The electronic ballast consumes less energy.

Charles

 

[General Lee]

Are they better at starting the fluorescence's in cold temperatures? Or does that deal with the bulbs themselves?

 

[Norcal]

The government no longer allows the manufacture of those heavy magnetic ballasts. The electronic ballast consumes less energy.

Charles

As of July 2010, that is correct for a lot of popular ballasts.