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fluorescent lights and burned out ballasts

Yahoo Message Number: 8234
Discussions with CCI, Thinlight, and our local RV repair facility has led to the possibility that my many burnt out ballasts have been "caused" by a spike in the voltage. No one wants to watch a meter 24/7 to see if this guess is correct or not. The suggestion is to place an R.M.S. with some kind of a record keeping device attached so as to pin down the probability of this possibility. Good luck?! Anyway, is there anyone in the group who can offer any suggestions as to how to achieve a measurement of a possible spike? Does anyone know of a meter capable of this chore? Any suggestions, help, or information that can help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Dr. Stan, 2002 Intrigue 11471, 2002 Chev Malibu toad.

Re: fluorescent lights and burned out ballasts

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8239
Hi Dr Stan,

There are several approaches to data logging: most are expensive. Here are some options: Allied Radio sells the 34970A data logger/switch for $1474 (ouch!), buy an oscilloscope ($500-$1500: stand alone or PC based) or buy a starter kit from Dataq ($24.95 - http://www.dataq.com/products/startkit/di194rs.htm ). The last approach uses your PC as the logger. It requires 2 resistors for a voltage divider to measure the 12 vdc input and a USB or serial port on your laptop. If all you have is USB ports, then you purchase a serial port to USB converter from IOGear for $30. Total investiment is less than $60 and you learn all about Windows. All the procedures are on a CD rom which comes with the Dataq 10 bit A/D. After you have Dataq hooked up and running, you turn on and off everything you can think of and watch for spikes on your laptop. I use this setup not for data logging but to measure the fuel tank quantity and display it on my laptop.
Fred Kovol

Re: fluorescent lights and burned out ballasts

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8244

Dr. Stan,

Did any of those you spoke to quantify 'spike' for you? There are spikes and then there are SPIKES. We all have the Surge Guard which is supposed to help in that regard. It would be helpful to know at what level and duration spikes do damage to the ballasts.

I have replaced one light fixture and now have to replace another.

Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438

Re: fluorescent lights and burned out ballasts

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8246
Hey, Fred.

I don't think that I care to watch my volts and amps right now but would be very interested in what you set up to measure you fuel.

Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438

Fuel Gauge Accuracy - Notebook Computer

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8247
Hi Folks,

As delivered, the fuel gauge on the dash was not very accurate - when indicating half full, the tank had 40 gal left. The tank has an advertized 110 gal capacity. So the first job was to make some measurements and adjust the gauge reading to match the tank quantity.
This resulted in a 10 turn pot hooked up across the input signal from the tank sender (variable resistor called a pot for short) and 12vdc to the gauge. There is already a resistor across these terminals. The result is you adjust the pot so that when the tank reads 1/2 full, you have 55 gal left. This should satisfy most coach owners. Now for the purists, here is the theory. The 90 ohm variable resistor in the tank gives an accuracy of 1 ohm per 1.22 gal of fuel. This gives the potential for an accurate fuel remaining readout.
The output wire from the tank sender is connected to a voltage divider composed of two fixed resistors which is then connected to a Dataq A/D whos output is connected to a laptop via a serial port or USB connection. The display is Windows controlled. That's it.
As a side note, I currently use Windows98 on a note book to simultaneously diplay in various sized windows a GPS map display, engine and transmission displays (via Siverleaf $400 box) and any other windows driven displays. With WiFi capability (802.11b or g), email and web sites are displayed. Cities are starting to have full area coverage in addition to airports, RV parks, restaurants and coffee shops. And many homes with wireless routers can be used if parked outside and they are not 'locked'. In my little town, I can drive along and find up to 5 'uplocked' routers in one block and use any one of them to get online from my notebook.
Fred Kovol

Re: Fuel Gauge Accuracy - Notebook Computer

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8256
Thanks for the insight, Fred.

How do you have your laptop mounted?
And, tell me you don't REALLY "borrow" your neighbors network via WiFi!

Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438

Re: Fuel Gauge Accuracy - Notebook Computer

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8260
Hi Dick,

I built a shelf with aluminum from ACE hardware with 2 pc cooling fans underneath and a back shield to block the sun from the display. The shelf is 1.5 in height using aluminum angle iron, all put together with pop rivets.
Fred Kovol

Re: Fuel Gauge Accuracy - Notebook Computer

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8261
Hi David,

The Flying Flags RV park in Buellton CA is about the best on the Central Coast with meeting rooms, swimming pools, etc. It's 40 miles up from Santa Barbara on hiway 101. Solvang is 3 miles east of Buellton on hiway 246 and captures all the old world charm of Copenhagen Denmark. This is wine country with Firestone, Fess Parker and 17 other wineries that rival Napa. This is also horse country with Olympic riding horse breeding.

A 3 day seminar would be a treat to host and we could cover all subjects including inovations, operation, diagnostics and maintenance techniques.
Fred Kovol

Re: Fuel Gauge Accuracy - Notebook Computer

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8268
Hi David,

After April 15th through May would be fine! The best beach is Jalama - ever heard of it? Fred Kovol

Re: fluorescent lights and burned out ballasts

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8275
Dick,

I also have had to replace the same 2 lights twice now the one above the kitchen and the one above the bathroom sink.
I think a fuse would blow before a ballast would burn out.
I have brought 2 extra lights and I am going to send the blown ones back to thin lite for repair.
You can replace the ballast board yourself if you wish but I'm gonna send mine back.
Gary Bettig

INtrigue 2002 11451

Re: fluorescent lights and burned out ballasts

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8278
We don't have a CC, but have seen this problem do to both dirty power and inadequate heat sinks. Many converter produce very dirty power as the B-W I replaced in our MH with a Progressive Dynamics. I have not lost a ballast since. Also many of the power transistors are not heat sinked properly and that causes the failure. The older converters will produce noise lines on many 12VDC/120VAC TV sets when you are connected to shore power. You might want to look into either of these causes. A small heat sink from Radio Shack can be added with a bolt to the switching transistor. Even a metal plate cut to a size that will fit the space (and insulated from other components would help. I haven't seen any of these small electronic ballasts that looked like they were industrial quality.
I first noticed the shore power problem when I added fluorescents to our Coleman TT. Never had a problem as we always dry camped, but when connected to shore power at home we started to have failures.

A friend lost all of his fluorescents on one campout when he was connected to SP and the lights operated from the converter.

Jim