running a ballast 24/7... is it bad?

[1982]

i'm doing some readin on flipflop relay boxes and they are very interesting. i have a couple questions though.

1. does running a ballast 24/7 shorten it's life? it seems like they would need a break every now and then...

2. i thought that when a ballast got turned on it gives and extra jolt of power to ignite the bulb... if the ballast was on 24/7 how do the bulbs get that extra jolt they need to start up?

3. i know i had a 3rd question but i forgot it ... i'll post it in a reply when i remember

 

[Moppel]

3. i know i had a 3rd question but i forgot it ... i'll post it in a reply when i remember

thats funny!

 

[imnotcrazy]

Actually, ballasts/bulbs work longer when you don't cycle them on/off all the time

 

[thegrowshop]

Hi,

1. Why do you want to let them burn 24/7??? how about the light schedule?
2. Treu when a ballast starts up it sucks extra power from the network but your bulb can handle it you see the colour change of your bulb when it switch on, but you will get strange picks on your electra bill of the on switching procedure.

But their are now electric ballasts they cost a bit more but you don't have the power picks.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

I am assuming since quite a few people run flip flops, its not a problem. Some also run 24/7 in veg.