Request - Info/thread on Removing Ballast from CFL's

[Gonetripping]

I saw a really good tute with pic about how to remove the ballast from cfl's - I thought I'd printed it out, but can't seem to find it - I've spent the last couple hours searching for this site and all over the 'net but cannot re-find it ... anyone seen this tutorial?


Thx

[jangel]

Why would you want to remove the ballast? The bulb would be no good and the danger is in getting mercury into the environment which playing with cfl's like this would be dangerous. I don't understand.

[Gonetripping]

The tut showed how to remove the ballast - keep the light fixture intact and you could see all the electronics that ran the bulb (generated heat) ... there's a red and black wire which you can cut and insert longer length to move the ballast (heat generator) from the room ... like how they do it with HPS ...

You then mount the actual bulb on a vanity strip ... and run them cool ... cause the ballast/heat is removed ...

If I can't find it - I'll crack open a CFL to check ... I recall you unscrew the base to open things up but carefully so as not to rip out the wire ...

[jangel]

Seems a lot simpler to just have good ventalation. I just think that is dangerous with the substances in them to risk.

Peace,

.....and let me know how it goes

[Gonetripping]

Found it!

It struck me as logical that since the heat comes from the 'ballast' in the CFL ... we could apply similar techniques used with HID to CFL's ... it'll take me a week or so due to time to actually do one up myself ... Light with even less heat opens the doors to new designs

here's my findings:

Take apart a Compact Fluorescent Bulb - Instructables - DIY, How To, tech, offbeat - Entry

Here's the first step or two (quoted)

step 1

Take it Apart 1: cut a pry-slot
Most of the CFLs I've seen have a seam where they can be pried apart without too much difficulty. Sometimes the seam is glued or "welded" together, other times it's just where two pieces have been "press fit" together.

Unfortunately, even if only press-fit, the two pieces are usually too securely attached to just pry them apart with your hands, if only because one of the halves has only the glass tube to get a grip on. Sometimes the joining seam is loose and/or large enough to fit in a flat-blade screwdriver, but it is easiest (assuming you don't want to re-use the bulb casing) to cut a shallow slot at the seam with a hacksaw. Just hold the housing securely (in a small vise as pictured, or not), and saw a slot just barely through the casing - about 4mm.


Caution

Try REALLY hard not to break the glass fluorescent tube. Aside from sharp edges, fluorescent lights contain phosphors of unknown and possibly dangerous composition, and a small amount of mercury that you'd rather not have released in your home or workshop.

step 2

Take it Apart 2: Pry It Apart!
Now that you have a slot, you should be able to insert a flat-blade screwdriver. With a bit of a twist, the rest of the seam will separate (even if glued or welded.) (Hold on glass tube, or it may fall loose and hit something and break.)

(the dangerous (?) mercury is contained withing the glass tube portion, which is sealed entirely separately from the electronics section. As long as you don't break the glass, the mercury stays nicely sealed away...)

[Gonetripping]

edit - this isn't the tut I was actually looking for ... I recall I read this one first ... and continue looking and saw another where it was taken apart a little differently ... and it continued to show how it could be applied in a small grow room

another pic showing the wires from the screw in base - to the circuit board - and the onto to the bulb

[jangel]

well, Have fun and stay safe! I will keep mine together thanks.

peace.

[Gonetripping]

Sure thing - I'd tape a thick freezer bag around the bulb portion before starting ... but I think it's reasonable to say they can be safely taken apart.

... but the other tut with the grow room would be nice if anyone has info on where to find it ...

[Gonetripping]

I found the tutorial - it's on another site though (RIU) ... and I'm not certain how posting links to other places is viewed ... will post the link if it's ok - otherwise PM me if interested

[green_nobody]

if heat is a concern get a T5 reflector with sockets and remove the ballast from the housing and rewire everything. don't fumble around with small stuff if you can have it in big

This is still dangerous as their is quite some jolt to it!! so heavy duty wiring with good isolation is required!

besides, T5 produce less heat compared to CFLs even without any modification