Recommendations for light upgrade

[nsdq3160]

I have a Rok-Ola 435 and am looking to update the lights from the old ballast and starter T-12s does anyone have any suggestions or maybe have done some sort of update themselves that works well?

Thanks
Tim

[Ron Rich]

Hi Tim,
I have never "done it myself", however I have serviced many a phono that has been changed to an "electronic ballast", and a few that have been converted to LED's. On the ballast change--I see no real advantage to it-- yes, the lamps light faster but they IMHO, also "look different". I strongly suggest that if you do go this route, you purchase a ballast with proper fusing- saw one that caught fire ?? As for the LED's--I totally dis like LED lighting-- Ron Rich

[nsdq3160]

Thanks Ron for the input.  The lights in my system seem to be working fine and the bulbs though expensive are readily available along with the starters and ballast.  Just considering the upgrade because I know that fluorescent bulbs are becoming harder to come by and my understanding is that eventually they will cease to make them.

[doghouseriley]

Nov 8, 2019 17:25:54 GMT nsdq3160 said:

Thanks Ron for the input.  The lights in my system seem to be working fine and the bulbs though expensive are readily available along with the starters and ballast.  Just considering the upgrade because I know that fluorescent bulbs are becoming harder to come by and my understanding is that eventually they will cease to make them.

I have a similar problem with my Rock-Ola 443. It too uses the T12s which are made by Sylvania. The ones I bought were made in Canada, I'm in the North-West of England near Manchester but  I was able to get them locally. I do have a couple of spares I keep in the bottom of the box.  It had T8s in it when I bought it, so if  T12s become unavailable you could always go back to T8s.

I re-made the graphic on mine and to get more light out of it,  I repainted the board behind the graphic with a fresh coat of white paint.