Help with Tubes. The Fluorescent Kind.

I have a single tube light that needs a new ballast. The local lighting supply guys took a look at the old ballast and sold me a new one for two tubes, saying it would work for this single tube application. Now that I'm installing it I see that I have two blue wires coming off the new ballast, where in the old one there was a single blue wire. Should I just cap off the second blue wire? Thanks.
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
- Isaac Asimov

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Comments

  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Thanks, Ken.

    Here’s what I’m seeing, btw...

    zfnszatl2gaw.jpg
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    Cap it off, extra blue is for a 2 bulb
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
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    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Thanks, Tex. I thought so but also didn't want to screw up. As much as I love Burning Down the House I'd hate to burn down the house.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • delkal
    delkal Posts: 764
    edited August 2018
    After the ballast is installed you should try and find some US made NOS tubes from the 50-60's. They are more expensive than the tubes made in China but they will make the light brighter with a full even spectrum. They will also make your room look bigger.
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    delkal wrote: »
    After the ballast is installed you should try and find some US made NOS tubes from the 50-60's. They are more expensive than the tubes made in China but they will make the light brighter with a full even spectrum. They will also make your room look bigger.

    ROTFLMAO!!!

    Nice.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,638
    Got rid of all my garage florescents in favor of the LED tubes from Costco. Brighter, last longer and cheaper to run. JMHO..
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited August 2018
    <<sorry, double post>>
    Post edited by stretchl on
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Got rid of all my garage florescents in favor of the LED tubes from Costco. Brighter, last longer and cheaper to run. JMHO..

    I’m using quite a few LEDs where incandescents once were. Hadn’t even thought of putting them in where these fluorescents are, but that’s a great idea, Ken.

    With 12 wired in series in an unusual location it will be a while before I get to it as a project, though.

    bt0mabeib4u9.jpeg
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,922
    speaking of fluorescent tubes... and strictly FYI... you can have your cake and eat it, too, you know?

    Since a VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) is a triode vacuum tube... Korg made purpose-built VFD-based vacuum tubes for audio :)

    https://korgnutube.com/en/

    s94pv3827zrg.png

    jpix55pn3gfe.png
  • machone
    machone Posts: 1,471
    stretchl wrote: »
    I have a single tube light that needs a new ballast. The local lighting supply guys took a look at the old ballast and sold me a new one for two tubes, saying it would work for this single tube application. Now that I'm installing it I see that I have two blue wires coming off the new ballast, where in the old one there was a single blue wire. Should I just cap off the second blue wire? Thanks.

    Throw it out.......
    Mojo Audio Illuminati v3>>Quantum Byte w/LMS>>Rpi/PiCoreplayer>> Starlight 7 USB >> Mojo Audio Mystique v2 SE>>ModWright SWL 9.0 SE Signature>>Hafler DH-500 Amp+ (Musical Concepts Fully Modded)>>
    SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
    1KVA Dreadnought

    Marantz SA 8005
    Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
    Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
    Sony PS4

    Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
    1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video

    "All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    speaking of fluorescent tubes... and strictly FYI... you can have your cake and eat it, too, you know?

    Since a VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) is a triode vacuum tube... Korg made purpose-built VFD-based vacuum tubes for audio :)

    https://korgnutube.com/en/

    Now THAT's amazing!

    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • machone
    machone Posts: 1,471
    stretchl wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    speaking of fluorescent tubes... and strictly FYI... you can have your cake and eat it, too, you know?

    Since a VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) is a triode vacuum tube... Korg made purpose-built VFD-based vacuum tubes for audio :)

    https://korgnutube.com/en/

    Now THAT's amazing!

    Is this something brand new?
    Are they actually using this in products?
    Mojo Audio Illuminati v3>>Quantum Byte w/LMS>>Rpi/PiCoreplayer>> Starlight 7 USB >> Mojo Audio Mystique v2 SE>>ModWright SWL 9.0 SE Signature>>Hafler DH-500 Amp+ (Musical Concepts Fully Modded)>>
    SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
    1KVA Dreadnought

    Marantz SA 8005
    Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
    Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
    Sony PS4

    Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
    1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video

    "All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited August 2018
    There are no fluorescent or incandescent lights left at my house. Replaced all with LED's . Also have a few rooms with Hue lighting which you can change colors and hues use pre programmed scenes create your own and set timers etc. Cool product...
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

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    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,474
    machone wrote: »
    stretchl wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    speaking of fluorescent tubes... and strictly FYI... you can have your cake and eat it, too, you know?

    Since a VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) is a triode vacuum tube... Korg made purpose-built VFD-based vacuum tubes for audio :)

    https://korgnutube.com/en/

    Now THAT's amazing!

    Is this something brand new?
    Are they actually using this in products?

    Very old. This technology was used in the display on Sansui Tu719 tuners.
    Which I so happen to have.

    http://classichifi.info/SansuiTU-719.shtml
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,922
    edited August 2018
    machone wrote: »
    ...

    Is this something brand new?
    Are they actually using this in products?

    Not too new* and, yes, being used in some commercial products.

    (EDIT: As @pitdogg2 implies, VFDs themselves date back to at least the 1970s as such -- and far earlier if one considers the magic eye display tubes, used in hifi and radios starting probably in the 1930s).

    _______________
    * DIYers discovered a long time ago that regular old VFDs from, e.g., digital clocks(!) could be repurposed as triode tubes (some DIYers enjoy doing weird things just because they can, you see). Korg (with some help, if memory serves) developed a VFD specifically to use as a triode amplifier tube. The Korg Nutube's been on the market for a few years.


    Is this something brand new?
    Are they actually using this in products?


  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 569
    For those installing those high noise LED bulbs, you probably can just forget radio reception and start looking at noise reduction methods for the power to your audio systems. It's just the other side to the "advantages" being sold.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    @CoolJazz More about this, please?
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,638
    No issues here...
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,922
    CoolJazz wrote: »
    For those installing those high noise LED bulbs, you probably can just forget radio reception and start looking at noise reduction methods for the power to your audio systems. It's just the other side to the "advantages" being sold.

    CJ

    For AM (broadcast band, "MW" as its called in much of the world) yes, it's problematic -- FM shouldn't be a problem for most folks, though.

    Now, short wave, submarine communications at VLF, that kind of thing -- yeah, that may be a problem ;)

  • delkal
    delkal Posts: 764
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    CoolJazz wrote: »
    For those installing those high noise LED bulbs, you probably can just forget radio reception and start looking at noise reduction methods for the power to your audio systems. It's just the other side to the "advantages" being sold.

    CJ

    For AM (broadcast band, "MW" as its called in much of the world) yes, it's problematic -- FM shouldn't be a problem for most folks, though.

    Now, short wave, submarine communications at VLF, that kind of thing -- yeah, that may be a problem ;)

    Malfunctioning LED lights can be a big problem for FM too. Our township converted all of the stoplights to LED's a few years ago. Every now and then I pull up to a red light and lose the FM station I was listening too. Just static. When the light turn green the music comes back.
  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 569
    Actually they do often get up to FM boadcast band frequencies. Which is why many complaints at residential situations of poor reception are eventually traced to the high dollar bulbs.

    A couple years ago, I was involved in a case of investigating a complaint where as you drove into a very popular small resort town, that for about a block as you drove up the street, a strong 100,000 watt signal got wiped out. Completely gone, covered up by what sounded like a silent carrier. I traced it with an RF field meter right to a chincy jewelry shop kind of place that was lit up brightly by lots of hanging LED bulb fixtures. All they needed to do was figure out how to modulate those bulbs.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,922
    edited August 2018
    re: the two replies above. OK, one can't the two posters' empirical data, so I stand - at least - amended ;)

    FWIW, I haven't had any obvious problems here with frequency modulated radio signals. Actually, don't have too much trouble with AM, except for the LED strip lighting under the counters in the kitchen. I have to turn them off to pick up WBZ (from Boston) with the little Sangean countertop radio in there. Keeping a little distance between any LEDs and the radio antenna seems (again, empirically) to help immensely.

    Full disclosure, we're still tungsten in the hifi loft... mostly because the lighting up there's on a dimmer (speaking of things that can generate RFI hash par excellence!) and the domestic LEDs (for reasons that escape me) don't dim well.

    :|

    EDIT:
    Coda.
    Radio reception's a moot point for most folks today, it seems -- everyone's gone to digital 'reception' :/

    Also (treading into dangerous terrain now!) I find it sort of ironic that all of the RF crud that we're immersed in thanks to digital and wireless 'technology' nowadays is probably a big chunk of the reason that folks now feel the need to shun 99 cent "interconnects" that were perfectly acceptable in the old days :) The environment really is noisier in 2018 than it was even in say the 1960s.


  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 569
    Actually that is a very key point! What was ok yesterday will almost certainly be different tomorrow. We got devices all over our homes putting noise only our power lines today!

    I just chuckle when folks bring up the ol' "what about the miles of line from the power plant" thing. About 98% of the power line noise comes from your own devices, the very things you bought and plugged in or have installed within your home. And radiated noise can occasion be quite remarkable too.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    So what happened? We’re you working for the radio station? The city? Did the jewelry store replace the lights voluntarily??

    Enquiring minds want to know! :)
    CoolJazz wrote: »
    Actually they do often get up to FM boadcast band frequencies. Which is why many complaints at residential situations of poor reception are eventually traced to the high dollar bulbs.

    A couple years ago, I was involved in a case of investigating a complaint where as you drove into a very popular small resort town, that for about a block as you drove up the street, a strong 100,000 watt signal got wiped out. Completely gone, covered up by what sounded like a silent carrier. I traced it with an RF field meter right to a chincy jewelry shop kind of place that was lit up brightly by lots of hanging LED bulb fixtures. All they needed to do was figure out how to modulate those bulbs.

    CJ

    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 569
    Wish I could tell you. I have no idea. I was just asked to find out for them what was wrong that could cause such problems with a strong signal. It was enough RF level to be shocking. So by all rights it shouldn't have been a problem to get resolved.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."