Easy question but, what do I need to get the power to the bulbs? for CFL's/fluoros?

WeedKillsBrainCells

Well-Known Member
Im in the uk and dont exactly shop for cfl's often and it doesnt seem like theyd be designed to plug straight into a plug socket. are there different types of adapters? what are they called so i can look for them?
 

racerboy71

bud bootlegger
hmm. like mentioned above, most of the cfls in the us have a built in ballast, that is that big thing you're seeing on the bottom of the bulbs, and simply screw into our sockets..
watt wattage bulb are you talking about? some of the bigger style cfls indeed do need an external ballast that will power the bulbs, but so long as it's under say 100 actual watts, you should be able to plug her right in and play.. :)
 

SunnyJim

Well-Known Member
You'll need something like this.

Screw the bulb in and plug it into the wall. This works with all CFLs, as they do not require a separate ballast. In the UK, however, these (or equivalent) do not exist which is a shame. You can plug them directly into a power strip.
 

slonez47

Active Member
Im in the uk and dont exactly shop for cfl's often and it doesnt seem like theyd be designed to plug straight into a plug socket. are there different types of adapters? what are they called so i can look for them?
Some CFL's require a mogul setup. The bulb won't plug into a standard screw in recepticle.
 

WeedKillsBrainCells

Well-Known Member
hmm. like mentioned above, most of the cfls in the us have a built in ballast, that is that big thing you're seeing on the bottom of the bulbs, and simply screw into our sockets..
watt wattage bulb are you talking about? some of the bigger style cfls indeed do need an external ballast that will power the bulbs, but so long as it's under say 100 actual watts, you should be able to plug her right in and play.. :)
Just any. It definitely must be an American thing as bulbs having a plug/ballast attached is not at all seen here.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=393169&c_3=3|cat_14418038|Energy+Saving+Light+Bulbs|14327558&c_2=2|cat_16849318|Light+Bulbs|14418038&c_1=1|category_root|Lighting|16849318

There's an example of a similar type of CFL I see to a lot of grow rooms, as you can see it has whats known as a bayonet cap and I guess not many companies here have the need to make a medium for direct plug useage as theyre meant for ceilings. :(
 

WeedKillsBrainCells

Well-Known Member
That's brilliant thanks didn't see that. Would it be possible to drill a small hole through the front of the plug and put the wiring through there? So you literally have the plug attached to the bulb? Then you attach the plug adaptor to the roof of your cab and the lights will face down. Rather than using lots of wire like a hanger.
 
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