Cold start ballasts

[kgmunro]

Does anyone know, can you buy 4 ft florescent light fixtures with cold start ballasts for cold weather?? I live in Brandon Manitoba Canada and do not always heat the shop in winter. I want to go to florescents but in the last place I lived they would not light properly with out the shop being heated.I bought used dual 8 foot units from an outdoor sign for that place but would like 4 foots for this one...any ideas where to purchase??

 

[tfi racing]

Not sure what stores you have there,but the big box stores likely won't have the low temp ballasts.Try the local electrical supply spots like Westburne or Eecol,if they don't have it they can bring it in from Winnipeg.

 

[trythis]

You just need to buy electronic ballasts rated for -20F. The fixtures are irrelevant, they are just metal frames to suspend the bulbs, whatever you have will work, most likely. Just match the length of bulbs, the type of pin connectors and get the best ballast you can find.
The cheap units from the box stores hardly have what you can call ballasts in them, so it is no surprise they don't work in Canada winters. I dont know if they make ballasts that work below -20F unless they make self heating versions.

 

[1969]

Fixtures with high-output ballasts have different ends (pin connectors ) than your regular box store fixtures. I agree, go to Westburne or a similar outlet.

 

[1969]

Should have mentioned you will also need HO tubes as well.

 

[kgmunro]

Thanks guys..there is a westburn electric in the city I will try them.