Do I replace the ballast?

[HappyHippyDad]

I have narrowed the fault down to the ballast in this fitting. See picture.

I cannot find an identical ballast. Blimey, there must be hundreds!

Is there a similar ballast I can use? Bearing in mind the existing cables, both supply and load, are terminated into little blocks that clip in either side of the ballast. Or, are there other options? I never work in commercial settings, hence having a limited knowledge. This is for a friend who runs a local charity shop, hence having a look. The word hence seems to be a common theme , a bit like the word 'damn' during the early years of @davesparks threads

 

[Rockingit]

Is that a fly killer? It might be easier and cheaper just to replace it.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Is that a fly killer? It might be easier and cheaper just to replace it.

That's kind of what I as thinking, but having not done this before I thought that may be a bit extravagant, also finding a fitting exactly the same size may be just as hard.

Here it is in situ. It's not a fly killer

 

[Rockingit]

I'm a bit out of touch with wholesalers these days but that used to be the sort of thing you'd get on the shelf - a twin electronic ballast. The make doesn' really matter.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

How about this?

4008321390172 | Osram 55 W Electronic Compact Fluorescent Lighting Ballast, 220 → 240 V | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Same physical dimensions, but the load clip looks different and the numbers do not match up.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

If it is as simple as replacing the panel, then I think I will do that. I'm guessing most panels are a generic size? It seems that an entire fitting is not very expensive.....

30w LED Panel 300 x 600 Surface Mount Ceiling Down Light Cool White

Long Life Lamp Company 30w Surface Mount LED panels are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, Designed to be surface mounted to ceilings and walls or can be used as pendants. These panels are manufactured to the highest possible stand

energylightbulbs.co.uk

 

[telectrix]

If it is as simple as replacing the panel, then I think I will do that. I'm guessing most panels are a generic size? It seems that an entire fitting is not very expensive.....

30w LED Panel 300 x 600 Surface Mount Ceiling Down Light Cool White

Long Life Lamp Company 30w Surface Mount LED panels are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, Designed to be surface mounted to ceilings and walls or can be used as pendants. These panels are manufactured to the highest possible stand

energylightbulbs.co.uk

try here:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.tridonic.com/com/de/download/data_sheets/DS_PC_T8_TOP_18-58W_en.pdf

 

[littlespark]

You could try eBay….

Tridonic 2x55 Balkast for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Tridonic 2x55 Balkast. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

Cheap enough… but the time taken to swap it over might be more than changing the fitting.

 

[GBDamo]

You could try eBay….

Tridonic 2x55 Balkast for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Tridonic 2x55 Balkast. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

Cheap enough… but the time taken to swap it over might be more than changing the fitting.

Changing a ballast is much quicker, once you've done a few it's a doddle.

Just drop the old one down, fix the new one in its place and transfer the wires one at a time.

Well, I say much..... depends if rhw fittings are on a Clik type plug, which is equally rapid.

As an aside, why is it every fitting have to replace is always direct wired and the one with the loop in, out and switch drop, always?

 

[7029 dave]

The ballast (choke) is really the expense of the whole fitting, so maybe best just to replace the whole cha bang.

 

[westward10]

If it is as simple as replacing the panel, then I think I will do that. I'm guessing most panels are a generic size? It seems that an entire fitting is not very expensive.....

30w LED Panel 300 x 600 Surface Mount Ceiling Down Light Cool White

Long Life Lamp Company 30w Surface Mount LED panels are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, Designed to be surface mounted to ceilings and walls or can be used as pendants. These panels are manufactured to the highest possible stand

energylightbulbs.co.uk

I assume this is a retail outlet and your duff fitting is what I call a wash light not a solid flat panel and they do LED versions.

 

[jay sean]

you might find the ballast is not made anymore, might want to go to a lighting specialist and they might be able to get one similar

 

[loz2754]

Or bypass the ballast and fit LED lamps.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I assume this is a retail outlet and your duff fitting is what I call a wash light not a solid flat panel and they do LED versions.

Well sort of. It's main purpose is to allow single parents to meet up with their kids. It does sell cards to make a bit of cash.

Is there a proper name for the type of light I am looking for? It slots into the ceiling, being help up with an interlacing metal network. The ceiling is all the same, polystyrene type squares all slotted into the same metal framework.

I've been searching for 'recessed panel light', but perhaps their is a proper name for it.

 

[Midwest]

Those ballasts look pretty similar to the ones we've had to replace in my work place. Just took the old one to my wholesaler (Rexel) and they found me a replacement. Think it was about £40-50.