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Lamps => Modern => Topic started by: MeanDumpsterCat on January 07, 2022, 01:21:36 PM

Title: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: MeanDumpsterCat on January 07, 2022, 01:21:36 PM

Hi everyone.

I'm planning to set up a 35w low pressure sodium lamp. I know I will need a ballast and ignitor.

My question is would a ballast rated at 55w still work with a 35w bulb or would I risk damaging the lamp?

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks :)

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: Rommie on January 07, 2022, 01:34:34 PM

It depends on your location. If you're in the UK or Europe with a 220-240V supply, then most choke ballasts will run both 35W or 55W lamps.

If you're in the US with 120V then options are different, I'll leave one of our North American members to advise on that.

But anyway, welcome to the madhouse that is LG and as a diehard SOX fan I'll be interested to see how you get on  :lps: :lps: :lps:

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: MeanDumpsterCat on January 07, 2022, 01:41:01 PM

Thanks,

I am in the UK so 240v country.

The ballast only says 55w. I have attached a picture if that helps.

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: Rommie on January 07, 2022, 01:47:24 PM

Yeah, that one looks to be single wattage. I found this one (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255277447601) one on eBay which is dual wattage, you'd need an SX72 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124877021938) ignitor to go with that.

Hope this helps  :love:

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: MeanDumpsterCat on January 07, 2022, 01:51:10 PM

Thanks. I do already have a Parmar PXE070255 ignitor on the way. Would I be able to use that instead of the SX72?

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: Rommie on January 07, 2022, 01:52:26 PM

I've just looked that one up and it's a 3-wire 50/70W HPS ignitor, so NO  :poof:

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: MeanDumpsterCat on January 07, 2022, 01:54:46 PM

Yeah, it's this one. Just a standard ignitor by the looks of it.

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: Rommie on January 07, 2022, 01:55:23 PM

No, that's an HPS or MH ignitor. No good for SOX.

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: MeanDumpsterCat on January 07, 2022, 02:15:02 PM

Ahh, thanks. Well, I think it's too late for a refund on that. Guess it's useful if ever I want a HPS lamp :P.

Also, is it safe to mount the SOX lamps base-up. i.e installed like a regular light bulb on the ceiling. I heard something about them being weird in terms of how you should mount them.

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: Rommie on January 07, 2022, 02:20:25 PM

The SX72 is the one designed for that Philips ballast, so they're guaranteed to work well together. As for burning position, lamps up to 55W can be burnt base up with slight loss of light output, but the ideal position for them is horizontal.
NEVER burn them cap down  :o :poof:

For more info on the general principles of lamps of all types, including SOX, I can recommend the excellent Lamptech (http://lamptech.co.uk) site, run by James Hooker, who is a member here.

See this page (http://lamptech.co.uk/Documents/SO%20Introduction.htm) for an introduction to LPS lamps in general.

Title: Re: Low Pressure Sodium Ballast Question
Post by: Nisei on January 07, 2022, 03:24:11 PM

Send me a message
I can probably get you the right gear