Original argon T12 tubes weren't efficient enough to satisfy these greedy people apparently
. So alternatives were made. But some are confusing, and I have some questions. Here we go:
1) 48T12 40W -> 34W Conversion:
Lamps fitting the typical 48T12 dimensions of a 40W lamp that only use 34W exist. I have certainly burned through a few in my life. It is my understanding that they are filled with a
little bit of krypton among the normal argon to make their running voltage lower. This also has the unintended effect of making their striking voltage higher. Is this correct? I sometimes hear people have trouble running these, what ballasts are these suitable for?
2) T12 -> T8:
On Lamptech, I can't tell whether is it implied that krypton T8 lamps were meant to be retrofits for T12 lamps. In my calculations (admittedly flawed), running a 48" F32T8 lamp on a 48" F40T12 ballast would result in a little less than 400mA instead of the necessary ~217mA. And I know that different ballasts exist for both types of lamps, so they are likely not compatible. Were these ever supposed to be retrofits? Why couldn't they be made to be retrofits for T12s?
3) T12 -> T10:
I hear of these Japanese T10 retrofit lamps that are T10 diameter. How do they compare to the T12 Supersaver-style retrofits? Why didn't they catch on much over here?
4) Other technologies:
Is there anything I am missing? Did other countries or companies have other more interesting advancements in retrofit fluorescent lamps?
Thanks!
