kbsparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Delmarva, USA
I encountered a fluorescent bulb today the likes of which I have never seen before:
Sylvania's Quicktronic ICE system.
This appears to be a 100 watt induction fluorescent bulb, complete with 2 external induction coils around the neck of the bulb, and a wiring harness that plugs into the ballast.
Changing this bulb is a real hassle:
1) The bulb is bolted into the fixture. The fixture is a recessed "hi-hat" type in a ceiling that is 30 feet high.
2) You have to unbolt the bulb, and let it hang by the wires while you remove the recessed trim ring.
3) Then you have to remove the cover from the ballast/wiring compartment.
4) Next, you have to pinch the tab on the wiring harness connector to get it to release from its socket.
5) Finally, the bulb can be removed!
Tough chore while working from a fully-extended scissors-lift!
There are six of these in the auditorium. They have been in service for about 6 years. Should we be considering changing all of them at this point in time? 4 of the 6 are not as readily accessible as the scissors lift won't reach them, and it would take erecting scaffolding in place under each one just to change the bulb.
Google searches yield price quotes from $300-$800
Calling around town looking for a replacement bulb yielded price quotes from $168 to over $800!
Have any of you dealt with this type of bulb, and what were your experiences? Is there any chance that I don't have a bad bulb, but a bad ballast? Those cost upwards of $500, so getting one as a spare to keep on hand is a bit expensive ...
Sylvania's Quicktronic ICE system.
This appears to be a 100 watt induction fluorescent bulb, complete with 2 external induction coils around the neck of the bulb, and a wiring harness that plugs into the ballast.
Changing this bulb is a real hassle:
1) The bulb is bolted into the fixture. The fixture is a recessed "hi-hat" type in a ceiling that is 30 feet high.
2) You have to unbolt the bulb, and let it hang by the wires while you remove the recessed trim ring.
3) Then you have to remove the cover from the ballast/wiring compartment.
4) Next, you have to pinch the tab on the wiring harness connector to get it to release from its socket.
5) Finally, the bulb can be removed!
Tough chore while working from a fully-extended scissors-lift!
There are six of these in the auditorium. They have been in service for about 6 years. Should we be considering changing all of them at this point in time? 4 of the 6 are not as readily accessible as the scissors lift won't reach them, and it would take erecting scaffolding in place under each one just to change the bulb.
Google searches yield price quotes from $300-$800
Calling around town looking for a replacement bulb yielded price quotes from $168 to over $800!
Have any of you dealt with this type of bulb, and what were your experiences? Is there any chance that I don't have a bad bulb, but a bad ballast? Those cost upwards of $500, so getting one as a spare to keep on hand is a bit expensive ...