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Anonymous
Guest
>....That is just an extra power socket on the outside of the fixture. (Like in case you want to have several of these lights, each plugged into the one next to it.)
Still it is the most likely place. I guess you are obligated to ship it to me for 3 months, and I can tell you exactly how it works :lol:
Still it is the most likely place. I guess you are obligated to ship it to me for 3 months, and I can tell you exactly how it works :lol:
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Anonymous
Guest
:lol: For thirty bucks plus shipping, you can have your own!
I agree that the small plug is the 'most likely place'. However, it is extremely unlikely at that. The ballast would need to be smaller than a single green pea to fit inside there.
Other possibilities?
1. The ballast is painted onto the housing.
2. The ballast is woven inside the power cord.
3. The ballast is inside one (or 3) of the bulbs.
4. The ballast is in a parallel universe.
5. The ballast is in Timbuktu.
If 1-5 are incorrect, then the only logical conclusion is that this T5 fixture HAS NO BALLAST!!!
I agree that the small plug is the 'most likely place'. However, it is extremely unlikely at that. The ballast would need to be smaller than a single green pea to fit inside there.
Other possibilities?
1. The ballast is painted onto the housing.
2. The ballast is woven inside the power cord.
3. The ballast is inside one (or 3) of the bulbs.
4. The ballast is in a parallel universe.
5. The ballast is in Timbuktu.
If 1-5 are incorrect, then the only logical conclusion is that this T5 fixture HAS NO BALLAST!!!
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Anonymous
Guest
If I buy a voltmeter, is there anything I could test here?
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Anonymous
Guest
You may end up zipping yourself. Call the bulb manufacture, and ask for the specification (voltage, ampere) or call the lighthood maker, and ask them for specification.
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Anonymous
Guest
Thanks Seven.
But as with so many of the cheap products we get here, this one is entirely lacking in information. The light is made by a company called 'Colorful'. The packaging contains no address, phone number, or any other information.
I have to say though, I'm quite impressed with this thing. Although I don't leave it turned on when I'm away from the house.
But as with so many of the cheap products we get here, this one is entirely lacking in information. The light is made by a company called 'Colorful'. The packaging contains no address, phone number, or any other information.
I have to say though, I'm quite impressed with this thing. Although I don't leave it turned on when I'm away from the house.
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Anonymous
Guest
You forgot option #247328: It has a quantum ballast, making options 1-5 all correct. 
Beats the snot outta me too sfsu.. - Not that I have anything more than a few years electronics repair exp during HS and a handful and a half years military electronics exp..
Where'd you get this sucker JH?
Also.. - Have you / can you check its PAR vs another T5 setup?
What about the bulbs... - Any info labeled on them beyond just "T5"?
Anything stamped on the inside of the fixture anywhere?
I'm guessing you got ripped, thats why I'm curious about the PAR vs a known good T5 rig..
Beats the snot outta me too sfsu.. - Not that I have anything more than a few years electronics repair exp during HS and a handful and a half years military electronics exp..
Where'd you get this sucker JH?
Also.. - Have you / can you check its PAR vs another T5 setup?
What about the bulbs... - Any info labeled on them beyond just "T5"?
Anything stamped on the inside of the fixture anywhere?
I'm guessing you got ripped, thats why I'm curious about the PAR vs a known good T5 rig..
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Anonymous
Guest
Thanks GD.
Always loved your avatar(s!) by the way. 8)
and under that: c¢ (except that the ¢ is more like the Euro €, but with only one line thru the middle. Don't know how to type it.)
One thing we've figured out is that these are NO T5s, not HO.
I'd be guessing the same except for the fact this thing actually WORKS! That's why I'm so curious. The bulbs fire up within .5 second of flicking the switch. They are bright (but I can only compare them to my PCs, NOs (T8s), and MH.) If I didn't know that flourescent bulbs need ballasts, I'd never know anything was wrong. :?
It's not uncommon for many fly-by-night products to appear and disappear on the market here. Many products produced in China are sold in Asia, but never make it to N America because of various safety/economic reasons. What surprises me is that this super-cheap no-ballast T5 works.
But then, I gotta find out why. Please keep asking questions if that'll help.
T'anks!
Always loved your avatar(s!) by the way. 8)
I bought it in Taipei. It was made in China. I bought it for about US$30, which is about half the price of similar 3-bulb 2' T5 units I checked out before. This cheapness explains my buyingness.GratefulDiver":1runbvyz said:
Wish I could. But this is my first T5 of any kind, so I can't even eyeball compare.GratefulDiver":1runbvyz said:
Great question. Should've mentioned this earlier. On one end of each bulb is written: T5-14WGratefulDiver":1runbvyz said:
and under that: c¢ (except that the ¢ is more like the Euro €, but with only one line thru the middle. Don't know how to type it.)
One thing we've figured out is that these are NO T5s, not HO.
Nothing that I could find. The only labeling is on the box it came in. It says: Colorful HY-600T5B.GratefulDiver":1runbvyz said:
GratefulDiver":1runbvyz said:
I'd be guessing the same except for the fact this thing actually WORKS! That's why I'm so curious. The bulbs fire up within .5 second of flicking the switch. They are bright (but I can only compare them to my PCs, NOs (T8s), and MH.) If I didn't know that flourescent bulbs need ballasts, I'd never know anything was wrong. :?
It's not uncommon for many fly-by-night products to appear and disappear on the market here. Many products produced in China are sold in Asia, but never make it to N America because of various safety/economic reasons. What surprises me is that this super-cheap no-ballast T5 works.
But then, I gotta find out why. Please keep asking questions if that'll help.
T'anks!
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Anonymous
Guest
Microwave!!!
A flourescent tube will light without a ballast in a microwave.
JohnHenry, try to keep this fixture away from your eyes (and other sensitive orbs).
A flourescent tube will light without a ballast in a microwave.
JohnHenry, try to keep this fixture away from your eyes (and other sensitive orbs).
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Anonymous
Guest
Not just microwave. Some will flourescent in a wide spectrum of radiation, such as UV or even low frequency EMR. Ever see people holding a tube under a high voltage power line?
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Anonymous
Guest
8)
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Anonymous
Guest
I wonder if I should go buy a new T5 bulb to try in this unit. If it works, then I'll know these are in fact ordinary T5s.
Any chance it will explode?
Any chance it will explode?
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Anonymous
Guest
Probably will zip the brand new bulb if anything goes wrong. Do it outside, since if any thing burns, the gas will likely be toxic. Just wait for an eastery wind so that we can smell it from California.
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Anonymous
Guest
seven ephors":2ipv3ekx said:
LOL, will do.
Get ready with your sunglasses, too. I'll tell you when to put them on.
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Anonymous
Guest
I hate to do this, but:
Bump!
Bump!
Did you end up trying this?JohnHenry":2wxfvc28 said:
This is very intriguing!
One other thing to try, even though you mention you don't have other T5 setups, is to put these bulbs in a T5 fixture with a ballast to see if they fire up. Obviously, do it outside, protected!
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