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volt VS. 220 volt tanning beds This article was originally published at www.tanningbeds.org and is used with permission. SunMaster WH8 Electronics VS. 220V Choke BallastsWhile this topic may seem a bit complicated at first, even the least technical of us can see the obvious benefits of the SunMaster WH8 electronics system when compared to European choke systems. Even if you are not a technician, this page is recommended reading to anyone considering purchasing a 220v tanning bed. To make it easier to follow, we are showing a diagram for THREE lamps only, rather than the typical 24. The image below is the wiring diagram for most 24 lamp tanning beds sold in America. They use European designed and made electronics, often called "choke ballasts" (marked "1a@220v") which are designed to run on European current, NOT American current. This is why virtually all 24 lamp tanning beds require special wiring and a "Buck-Boost" transformer, or you will void your warranty. In this system, the 240V American current enters the buck-boost transformer, is converted to 225VAC European current, then is connected to either one or a series of capacitors (marked with the "50uF"). Typically, you have one or more capicitors per bed half. This helps to jump start the bed when it is started each time. From the capacitor, the power is routed to individual ballasts. These act as power limiters. Then the other leg of power (American 240V, even when buck/boosted, is actually TWO 120V legs, out of phase) is routed to a "lamp starter". This is basically a micro switch that allows the current to pass through to one pin on the lamp for a brief period. It works in a way similar to how your car's blinker works, by momentarily allowing current to pass through the circuit. This burst of power preheats the lamp ends (lamps for these beds are considered "preheat bipin") and then the lamp will finally ignite. Then the ballast acts as a pure limiter. If any one of these components fails, the bed will not light up, which is a problem with any unnecessarily complicated system. This type of electonic system pre-dates WWII. Another note: These ballasts run extremely hot, and will cause burns if touched. They will generally run 140 degrees hotter than room temperature when energized. This is because this system produces an extraordinary amount of waste heat. This makes them highly inefficient at lighting lamps.
The SunMaster's WH8 series electronics are considerably different. First, they are the newest design in fluorescent lamp technology. They are designed to work exclusively with American current, 120 volts. They do not require a special circuit, or 220-240v power to operate. They are highly tolorant, and will generally run on anything from 95volts to 135volts, thus, no buck-booster is needed. Offboard capacitors are not needed to jump start the system, as they are fully powered and the lamps do not need to be preheated. Lamp starters are also not needed since the switching for this jump start is not needed. A single ballast will power three full size lamps, rather than requiring one ballast per lamp, further reducing complexity. You may also note that the blue wire simply needs to be connected to all the pins on one end of the lamp, as a "return". This system works better because it uses Ultra High Frequency to ignite the lamp, rather than raw power. While the European system requires a minimum of 1000ma engery per lamp, operating at 60Hz (50Hz in Europe) the SunMaster WH8 uses less than 600ma per lamp because it operates at a frequency above 100,000Hz. It is this high frequency that excites the atoms in the lamp, creates light, and tans you. This also produces less wear and tear on the lamp, leading to longer lamp life, and prevents those black rings you typically see at the ends of tanning lamps. Additionally, these ballasts run warm, but they are cool enough to touch when operating. This means you are getting MORE energy to the lamp, and almost no waste heat. This is how they can use less electricity, yet deliver more power to the lamp. Its just a newer, better design. Because this system is more expensive, only SunMaster uses it in their tanning beds. Virtually all the power that is introduced into the system is used by the lamp, resulting in significantly better UV output overall.
ConclusionEuropean choke electronics work fine in Europe, but it is a very dated technology, and highly inefficient. It produces more heat than light, and requires the highest amount of maintenance of any system. It is the least expensive, and this is why it is the most commonly used electronics system. While it costs the manufacturer less money to use, in the long run, the choke system is the most expensive electronics for the owner of the system. The SunMaster WH8 is the newest generation electronics system, and uses 30% to 50% less electricity than other systems, produces 50% to 70% less waste heat, and is not as sensitive to high or low voltages. On average, you save about $300 at install since you don't need a special circuit or a buck-boost transformer. It also gives you the freedom to move your tanning bed from one room to another, or one house from another, without waiting for an electrician to wire extra circuits. If you are concerned with the TCO (total cost of ownership), power usage, installation costs and the "tanability" of your tanning bed, its easy to see you should avoid systems that use choke ballasts, and opt for a system that uses the SunMaster WH8 electronics system. Copyright ©2004 www.tanningbeds.org. All Rights Reserved. |
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