65w compact fluros for $31 at bunnings!

[watto]

Theire wired the same way as a normal light bulb, one active, the other neutral. Is it a real big one - like a HID fitting or smaller, like a light at home? The size is the only way they can get it to put out those specs i imagine. i put normal glass under mine and light blockage is negligable but its worthwhile for the heat reduction, especially when you put air circ thru it. I found if i used anything over 3mm it'd crack with the hot/cold fluctuations. You could go toughened glass (4mm) but I find with the price difference its cheaper with3mm.

who'd you get the lamp from? got a link? Their just getting cheaper and cheaper. I was looking on one of the trade sites last night - buy 100 for $2USD each.

Yeah I worked out the active and neutral but my question is where does the EARTH wire go. The way I understood it its there so if theres a short the electricity will jump to the earth rather than your body, so I'm planning on connecting it to some metal on the reflector unless anyone corrects me.

 

Yes it is a normal HID screw in fitting except you use a normal power cord without a round earth as its plugs straight into the power not a ballast.

 

Heres a link to where I got mine, I reckon this will triple their business getting linked on this site 200w CFL looks like their out of 125w ones for now but I'm sure they'll come back, they also used to have digital ballasts for under $100 but they must be outta stock.

 

So your saying thinner glass is less prone to cracking from heat?

Edited June 6, 2009 by watto

[TD.]

not all electrical products need an earthing wire if the insulation is adequate. DON'T USE FLIMSY GAUGE WIRE !

[calaman]

Yeah amn. I talked to the guy from the glass hsop and he said that The thicker stuff doesnt spread the temp as quickly so it cracks - which I'd discovered. I'd think thicker stuff would cut your light back too. All you really need is a barrier so you can direct the heat away. 3mm is what i used.

As to the earth wire, Personally, I just cut it off in the lead and dont use it. Look at a household lamp, the bayonet fitting only has two points and the earth is left out. Same as a radio or something, the plug only has 2 spades. On the other hand, the fluro Im running has the earth on the reflector so either way I would think it doesnt matter.

Pay heed to what TD said. Your running 200W or whatever there, use decent wire. Not like the 2wire lamp lead _ you know the thin stuff - use an extension chord or something.

Edited June 12, 2009 by calaman