I recently had a street lamp type lamp setup twin 18 watt tubes with a 18 x 2 (36watt ballast) It only would heat 1 lamp & it is marked 1 @ 36 watt or 2 @ 18 watts - so the sparky used (2) 32 watt ballasts in tandem one for each 18 watt bulb. Will this put to much energy to the bulbs. it seems like it would. It is a regular starter - not electronic(not that I think it would matter)

I realized the folly after it was installed. Am I doomed to lose the lamps quick?

Thanks

Barry

Yes, you will certainly shorten the life of the tubes by over current/dissipation, they MAY actually get hot enough to explode!!

To run two 18Watt tubes off a 36Watt ballast you need to wire them in series with two starters (diagram on the ballast?).

Hunting on the net for a diagram.

Yes, you will certainly shorten the life of the tubes by over current/dissipation, they MAY actually get hot enough to explode!!

To run two 18Watt tubes off a 36Watt ballast you need to wire them in series with two starters (diagram on the ballast?).

Hunting on the net for a diagram.

Thanks Crossy I was sure it was the same as incandescence forcing to much power through them.

I will try to get the sparky to crawl up the pole again & change out the ballast. would I be better off with just going with 2 separate ballasts. I think he may have had a problem hooking in series?

Connect it like this:-

Note for those from 110V countries, this only works on 220V supplies, there is not sufficient voltage if you try it on 110V.

Thanks again Crossy You da man!!!!!!!

I will copy the diagram I appreciate you going the extra yard again & setting me up with a diagram as the Thai products are always skimpy on any directions.

Thanks

Barry My Electrician is going to just love me.... the bulbs are not very accessible at this point.