You may seen four pin fluorescent lamps with CFL circuits. But, have you ever wonder how the same principle can be applied to the two pin fluorescent bulb. In this tutorial we are looking into how to use two pin fluorescent bulb with CFL circuit (Electronic Ballast).
Ever since Thomas Edison invented The Incandescent light bulb , The technology behind artificial lights have changed a lot .People started to try different energy efficient approaches towards artificial lightning, As a result , In year 1901 Edmund Germer invented mercury vapor lamp ,which is the blueprint for the modern day fluorescent lamp .In the age of LED bulbs , People still uses fluorescent lamps in day today basis . Specially in apparel industry , They use two T8 or T12 fluorescent tubes to reach the illumination levels that required for their operations. Although fluorescent tube lamps are being replaced by CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) and LED bulbs, There still fluorescent tube lamps available in many households .
Video Tutorial
Watch This Tutorial on YouTube .
Like the other bulbs ,CFL bulbs have a lifetime. At the end of that lifetime the bulb will blow out. The element of the CFL that most likely to be go bad is the fluorescent tube, leaving a good electronic ballast inside .Since CFL is basically a compactly designed fluorescent tube with a electronic ballast, We can use it’s circuit (The electronic ballast) to light up traditional fluorescent tube bulbs . In this tutorial lets look specifically into how to use the electronic ballast circuit inside the CFL bulb to light up the two pin fluorescent tubes .
Two Pin Fluorescent Bulb
Two pin fluorescent lamps comes under the F9BX/827,F9BX/840,F9BX/841,F9BX/830,F9BX/835,F9BX/865,F9BX/SPX27 and F9BX/SPX41 model numbers .These two pin fluorescent lamps require G23 Holder or the fixture. You might have mistaken two pin fluorescent bulb with CFL ,Because it has only two pins to connect to the holder or the fixture . Fluorescent tube should have at least four pins right ?. How come these have only two pins ? .
Two Pin Fluorescent cross section
The answer is inside the fluorescent bulb itself. These two pin fluorescent bulbs have starter built into it .So where it is ? ,If you look closely you can see a cuboid structure between the two pins ,The starter is placed inside it .That is where is our other two pins at .These two pins are connected with the starter that is inside . Since the starter is inside the bulb , All you have to do is connect the ballast in series with the fluorescent bulb.
Two pin fluorescent Wiring Diagram
Here is the wiring diagram of the of the two pin fluorescent lamp .In this diagram you can see the ballast is in series with the two pin fluorescent lamp . The voltage and the wattage of the ballast must match with the voltage and wattage of the fluorescent lamp . Since the starter is inbuilt , External starter is not required .
Electronic vs Magnetic Ballast
There are lot of reasons why magnetic ballast being replaced with Electronic ballasts. Here are some of them.
• Easy to use – Electronic ballasts doesn’t require additional components such as starters (where magnetic ballast requires starters) .
• Availability – Magnetic ballasts are very hard to find these days. Because , very few manufacturers making them. But , There are many electronic ballast manufacturers .
• Power Consumption – Comparing to magnetic ballast electronic ballasts use less current and they have less waste of current (energy waste due to heat and eddy current loss) .
• Easy to make – Electronics ballasts can be made by anyone .Where magnetic ballasts require special tools to manufacture them.
Two Pin Fluorescent Bulb With CFL Circuit
The first step is to choose a CFL circuit (Electronic ballast) that matches the fluorescent tube of the two pin bulb. However , If the selected circuit gives low illumination results , choose a higher wattage CFL circuit .We recommend finding a CFL circuit that matches the wattage of the two pin fluorescent tube bulb. If the wattage of your circuit is lower , You may get low illumination from the fluorescent tube . If you select a higher wattage circuit , You may get a good illumination. But , It may limit the lifetime of the tube .In order to connect the fluorescent tube with the CFL circuit we need to access to these hidden pins .To do that , We have to remove the starter .
B22 holder modification
1st Method – Easiest way is to cut the bottom potion of the cuboid structure ~7mm above the bottom of the casing using a hot cutter or mini hand saw .Be careful not to cut the starter components inside the casing.Once you are done remove the starter by cutting the pins and solder two wires to the fluorescent tube leads that previously connected to the starter .
2nd Method – In this method we can remove the bottom casing of the bulb without cutting it .You have to use a small drill bit between 0.5mm and 0.9mm and drill the two pins from the bottom to remove the copper clamp that holding the single wire inside the pins, which comes from the fluorescent tube. Drill it pass the part that clamps the wires .Then remove the bottom part of the bulb ( depend on the bulb design you may need to use a pry tool to unclip the bottom part.Cut the leads of the starter components.
Now we have the access to all 4 pins , solder 4 wires to these leads. Use heat shrinking tubes to protect the leads from shorting .Drill a hole in the bottom of the bulb casing and the bottom of the B22 holder .Run the wires through it . Solder these wires to the CFL circuit .Before powering up – Put the CFL circuit inside a casing and secure it . Connect the AC source to the CFL circuit . Don’t touch any open wires or the circuit parts while it is connected to the power source . Turn on the switch !
Troubleshooting
Checking the Fluorescent Tube
Checking the CFL Circuit
Checking the filaments of the fluorescent tube – Put the multimeter on Ohm (Resistance) mode .If you are using a manual multimeter , Put the selector on the lowest Ohm scale range . Touch the two leads in each side of the fluorescent tube with your multimeter probes (As shown in the image) .The resistance should be less than 10 Ohm. Check both sides . If any side have resistance over 10 Ohm , You most likely to have a bad fluorescent tube filaments . Even if the filaments are good ,There is still a chance that evaporated coating on the electrodes will cause the tube to go bad .Check the ends of the tube , If you spot dark or black rings around the tube,The tube is most likely gone bad .Replace it .
Checking the CFL Circuit – [Proceed with caution involves high voltage]. Due to the high voltages that generated at the initial phase ,We don’t recommend checking the output voltages of CFL circuit using a conventional multimeter .You need a True RMS Voltmeter with at least voltage Range of 1000 Volts AC .
Conclusion
Two pin Fluorescent lamps are actually a four pin fluorescent bulb with inbuilt starter . The only reason people calling this bulb as two pin fluorescent bulb because there are only two pins visible . The other two pins are inside the bulb base connected to the inbuilt starter . If you wants the two pin fluorescent bulb to be driven by an electronic ballast (CFL circuit) , You need to remove the base of the two pin fluorescent bulb and reveal the other two pins and wire them as you wire them as wiring a normal four pin fluorescent bulbs. After connecting to electronic ballast safely place the circuit inside a casting . Make sure to take safe precautions to avoid any electrical shock .
Video Tutorial
Watch This Tutorial on YouTube .
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does This work on any two pin Fluorescent lamp ?
Yes , This tutorial can be applied to any two pin fluorescent lap . But , make sure to use a matching CFL (Electronic ballast) circuit.
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Cannot find a B22 Holder ?
You can use any holder or use it without a holder . But , Make sure to properly insulate (Use heat shrinking tubes ) the exposed high voltage pins and components .
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Can a newbie follow this tutorial ?
Yes , You can . But , Please get to know about working with mains voltage (high voltage) and safety procedures need to follow . Any mishandling can be fatal . Work under supervision of a electrician in such case.
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How to dispose fluorescent tubes ?
You need to dispose it as hazardous waste . Contact your local waste collector company for more information . Don’t ever dispose it with other waste. If your waste collector company doesn’t handle such waste , Store it in a safe place .keep away from children’s reach .
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How to improve fluorescent tube lifespan ?
It depends on the electronic ballast or the CFL circuit you choose . If you use a properly made electronic ballast with matching wattage . You can use the fluorescent tube for a long time.
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Can single CFL circuit power multiple fluorescent tubes ?
Yes , It can . But you need a CFL circuit that can provide enough current to drive multiple fluorescent tubes.
Disclaimer – The contents of this article may change anytime.This tutorial involves working with high voltages . In order to work with such voltages , It requires special tools and protective equipment. Make sure to take every safety measure necessary . If you don’t have any experience working with high voltages .Please , Get someones (Someone who have experience ) help to follow this tutorial. Since , We are working with fluorescent lamps . Make sure not to break the tube which can injure you . If you are disposing fluorescent lamps , Make sure to disposed it as hazardous waste . Be careful when using tools , Careless handling may harm you and others around you.