DIY flo problems

[James Fox]

Okay, so I convereted a work light into a 2x55 Flo and it works great and all but the problem I seem to be having is that the color temperture of the lamps seem to be magentish and not 3200 as the lamps are balanced to. Has anyone had this problem? Do flos need a more powerful ballast than a simple off the self home depot one? The Home Depot one is more than powerful enough. I don't know, maybe on camera it'll appear white when balanced for 3200, just to my eye and comparing to other lights balanced to 3200 it just seems to look magenta and off. Thanks.

 

[Cool Lights]

Regardless of the power stated on the ballast, there are other issues like voltage output that the ballast puts out and voltage the tubes actually require, etc. The symptom you are describing is like when some tubes are being dimmed--thus underpowered and changing color temperature.

I would use a ballast really rated for T5 type bulbs (like the biax 55w you seem to be using) and nothing else if it was me. Normally, to do it right, you need a T5HO ballast that can drive two FT55 or two 54w T5 type lamps. Here are some non-dimming type common ballasts:

Advance Centium ICN-2S54 Intellivolt model which works from 100 to 277v so it can work anywhere in the world.

Universal B254PUNV-D also universal input voltage.

Sylvania Quicktronic QTP2X54T5HO/UNV (universal input voltage)

Fulham Workhorse 5 (110v or 220v models)

Those are some of the ones I've used and sold before. Hope this helps.

 

[James Fox]

Well, I took it apart and rewired it, it works fine now, is a lot brighter and gives off 3200k. Thanks.