Electronic Ballasts in TanAmerica & Royal Sun Equipment

[mstnt]

Both of these manufacturers (or their reps) have told me that they have and/or are developing beds with electronic ballasts. They claim that electronic ballasts are up to 30% more efficient saving on electrical costs and not generating as much heat. Royal Sun says they have beds with electronic ballasts now and TanAmerica says they are developing beds with them. Any body have equipment with electronic ballasts? If so, what's you're experience been with them? If they are so much better, why are all the beds made with them?

[Stephen Underhill]

In years past there have been electronic ballast. They where never quite perfected. Because electronic ballast are lighter and more compact than Magnetic or choke and have the capability to reduce heat and fluctuating electrical draw, they would be the greatest ballast ever. They had not been perfected in the past due to technology and development cost. At this point the investment in development has been made and the technology and testing has been completed. This is not to say that current ballast will go away ( Choke, Magnetic). What it means is that the companies that have developed them will now have a ballast that will be much more efficient in a number of ways. They will produce much less heat and draw less amps to operate at a desired level. Because they are lighter they will also reduce equipment shipping cost.

This will reduce salon operating cost as well as reducing a salons start-up cost. A salon will not need as much AC as in the past and the size of the required electrical panel will be less. This is great news for the industry. Unfortunately it will not help equipment already in the field, but potential new salon owners will benefit. It is good that there are equipment companies are making the investment to take advantage of today's advanced technology.

[John]

There are the new Workhorse ballast available on the market, Fullham is the manufacturer. They are currently being used in home units such as Sunmaster. They do run very effieciently & 1 ballast can run 3 100W lamps.

The output on them isn't the greatest, lamps can be tweaked to help operate better. Current tanning lamps need to reach a certain temperature to properly work. 105 degrees on a 100W lamp wall is optimal, too cool or too hot & the UV drastically decreases.

URI has used the Fullham ballast for years in the Aquarium lighting industry, here they are ideal. They run much cooler & much more effecient than the old style Magnetic ballast.

[Stephen Underhill]

These are not the ballast that are being developed. The new ballast will maintain desired lamp temperature and power the lamp at the optimal range. These are not aquarium ballast being modified to power tanning lamps. They are developed specifically for the tanning lamp application in order to maximize performance while reducing operating cost.

That is the problem with todays ballast, the choke is not designed for US current powering tanning lamps and the magnetic ballast would be better if it ran cooler. The magnetic is the best ballast there is available today. The new electronic ballast will change that, the new electronic ballast will improve an element of operating a tanning salon that is a long time overdue.

[John]

Stephen,

Fullham makes a whole range of electronic ballast. You can see their new ads in some of the trade magazines.

The Magnetic ballast that TA & Sundash used was originally designed for outdoor sign use & to power an 8 foot lamp. Was never designed specifically for a tanning bed.

Ergoline has some beds in Europe with electronic control panels, not sure if any are in the us yet, Problem with this is if the board goes down the whole bed is down, if a choke ballast goes down, only one lamp is down.

[mstnt]

So, does anyone have any commercial tanning equipment with electronic ballasts?

[esun]

I replaced my magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts in my 44 bulb booth. It runs much cooler and definitly costs less to operate. It originally had 44 magnetic ballasts and now it all runs on 22. Running 2 bulbs per ballast instead of one. they were expensive tho, but i got a quantity discount for buying 25. These are for 100 watt bulbs that i bought.
MC electronics
oem,custom,160 watt upgrades...978-249-6474 is their number
if i can print that..

[Stephen Underhill]

John the magnetic ballast was designed for US current, I am sure that you are aware of the fact that legislation was passed in 1953 that prevented use of choke ballast use in signs. I did not indicate that it was designed specifically for tanning. The magnetic ballast that is used for Tan America equipment is designed to power lamps of many lengths. Signs that use an 8 foot lamp use a ballast that is designed to power an 8 foot lamp. Choke start systems that are used in tanning systems utilizing capacitors are on many occasions not powering lamps equally, that is why when you look at a bed that is powered by choke you will see lamps at different brightnesses. No mater how you cut it today if you want a system where you are not adjusting voltage, changing starters and effecting component and lamp life, the Magnetic ballast is the best way to go. The ballast that will soon be introduced will have all of the characteristics that will make it by far the best way to power tanning lamps. It is not a Fulham ballast. John I am surprised you would share such inaccurate information without doing a little research. The choke ballast system is a thing of the past, and all companies that use it will continue to try and convince you it is the best until they change to a better system. At that time the story will change. For now keep watching the most important change in tanning equipment technology is just around the corner. You will always have choices, to make the best decision requires accurate information. As a consultant it is my job to provide accurate information so the guess work is taken out of it.

[mstnt]

Steve:

When is Tan America going to roll out their electronic ballast based equipment?

[Stephen Underhill]

I will let you know as soon as I know.

[solarmeter®]

it is my job to provide accurate information

OK then.... will the new electronic ballasts you are referring to be available on TA only - or open to all mfgrs? And:

1. What percent UV output increase over conventional ballasts will be realized... if any?

2. What percent power consumption reduction will be typical? No fair asking Rodger Brown haha!

It will be nice to finally convert to real e-ballasts when the time is right... even if for no other reason than reduced heat - because IR robs UVR.

[Stephen Underhill]

The ballast is being developed for TA. Will it be available to other manufacturers? I don't know. As with any revolutionary idea, I am sure it will change the industry.

Test have shown a 20% UV output increase over conventional ballast.

Test have shown the heat and power consumption have been reduced by 30%

It is my understanding that there will be retrofit capabilities for TA equipment.

Imagine the impact of this. A new salon will need 30% less power and AC. It is always a problem getting enough power and AC. Imagine the start-up savings for new salons.

By the way, does anyone know what Roger Brown & Bob Baba are doing?

[Porsha]

Is your mouth full when you talk ? I thought Peter also said HP is bad for you, and a fad.
Has the FDA approved the ISO converter kits yet?~

[engfant]

Yeah, they said the same thing about the hybrid car.

[SunShop]

I have used the triad electronic ballast for several years in an old SunTana SW-34 stand-up unit(which I bought new in 1989). I used the stand-up until April of this year. I sold it to a lady who tans with me and replaced it with an HP unit.
About the only thing I can tell you about the triads is I went through 3 to 4 a year. I am told by sources who wish to remain anonymous that they cannot stand up to the heat. I still have a few in stock that i may as well give her or take back.

[John]

The triads retail for about $89.00 each. Hard to find now.

[Stephen Underhill]

Quote (Yeah, they said the same thing about the hybrid car)
If you are looking for a comparison it is more like the introduction of fuel injection instead of a carburetor.

So much testing has been done regarding heat, power consumption and power out-put that there will be less failure than that of current ballast types. Personally I am very excited that a company is finally trying to improve equipment technology instead of adding puffery like spraying mist in equipment or adding spaghetti lamps with such a low wattage that they do nothing but increase operating cost, or acrylics that are shaped like pretzels, that again increase cost and make it impossible to lay on your stomach and the list goes on. These ballast will translate to real savings and performance for the salon owner.

[Derf]

I lost a customer to a competitor's contoured acrylic. "It talks to you", he said with a lisp.