>>Fluorescent tube format can use HF electronic ballasts for silent
>>operation. Given the distortions of the invisible hand it may be
>>cheaper to buy CFL bulbs of suitable size and use their electronics 
>>to
>>power tube fluorescents, depending on how many you have to do and 
>>how
>>you value your labour.

> I've thought about this before, seems like a potentialy cheap and 
> neat solution.  Only thing is how does the strike/operating voltages 
> and heater resistances of full size tubes compare to the tiny folded 
> compact tubes?

The 100+ Watt CFLs are getting distinctly non-tiny.
Grabs tape measure.
The 105 Watt CFL in my dining room has 4 U loops with a 440mm path 
length each. As all 4 loops are in series that's a tube length of 
about 1800 mm or just under 7 feet (!!!!). That's a lonnnng 
fluorescent.

Tube diameter is about 15mm

These monsters are quite a shock at first encounter. Far larger than 
the average CFL. Go in either a bayonet or Edison screw socket as per 
usual but put quite a strain on fittings that support the bulb by the 
socket.

My son says they are evil because they make your brain think it's 
still daylight and you tend to keep working :-). I'm making a light 
fixture for photography with 4 of these in it ("bright white" 
version). Equivalent to about 2000 Watts of incandescent lighting. 
Lovely. Colour temperature is a bit "non standard" but good enough for 
many purposes.



            Russell


-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist