2 x 110v florescent lights in series @ 240v ?

[knighty]

anyone know if I can run 2 x 110v florescent lights in series at 240v ?  (mains)

would save me using a transformer... and save me a packed on new lights for work....

some really nice waterproof ones have come up.... but they're 110v instead of 240v....


by the time I bought new internals to convert them to 240, I might as well have just bought the 240v ones to start with....

[guydewdney]

I have done it - and it worked fine.

ymmv...

[knighty]

just found these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IP65-70W-6FT-Twin-Weatherproof-Fluorescent-Light-/380332228348?pt=UK_BOI_Lights_Lighting_ET&hash=item588d913efc

they're about a quarter of the price of the other 240v ones I was looking at !
(guess I didn't look hard enough)


they might be a bit cheap / crappy.... but they'll do for me :-)

[Ivan]

If you don't need waterproof, and want something a bit prettier:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lighting_Fluorescent_Index/Modular_Fittings/index.html



Or if you don't want any kind of enclosure, here's some really cheap HF fittings (ie instant turn-on and 25% or so more energy-efficient):
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lighting_Fluorescent_Index/HF_Batten_Fittings/index.html

(I've got the HF136 in my kitchen together with a modern triphosphor bulk. Cost under £20 in total, and it's very impressive (much brighter than the traditional fluorescent fitting which it replaced about 6months ago)

[knighty]

I need them to be waterproof... or close enough to waterproof...

there's too much steam at work... from the boilers when we're cooking, and then the steam cleaners when we clean down on a night
(and a dozen buckets of boiling water being tossed around all over the place)

I'm replacing a fitting about once a year right now... sometimes 2 a year.... it's not so bad when I get them for free from customers who work in demolition for a bit of free dog food....

but it gets on my nerves every time one stops working !

[Ivan]

Have you conisdered using silicone to seal all the gaps on the existing fittings to make them last longer? There's probably moisture inside, so you'd need to take the lid off to dry it out before you start. But a lick of silicone over the mating surfaces, plus any holes, joints and screws should seal everything bar the connections to the fluoro tube itself

[Iain]

Hi
I use these in the back of artic lorry trailers carrying shellfish. There is a lot of saltwater and they get pressure washed off quite frequently.
Providing I use a propper waterproof connection for the conduit / cable they seem great. No problems, and appear to be totally waterproof. I have started using the HF version recently so no starters to fail. I get them from my local elec wholesaler.
http://www.discount-electrical.co.uk/section.php/108662/1/thorn-aquaforce-ii-industrial-fluorescents
Iain

[knighty]

Ivan, the plan is just to replace them as needed.... I thought about silicone, but there's condensation dripping down from the (concrete) roof joists into the lights so it's an uphill struggle!

Iain... thanks for the link... I think I'll buy some of those... they look better quality than the ebay ones so are probably worth the extra.... and I'll need a few for the new freezer soon enough too - it's nice to know they'll work ok in there too :-)

[Iain]

Hi knighty
The fixing clips fasten to the roof and the plastic enclosure then clip onto the clips. So there are no penetrations in the top of the light fitting. Worth making sure the cable entry is done well
Iain