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Replacement Ballast for OTT-Lite VisionSaver

drpj

Jan 23, 2021
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I inherited an OTT-Lite Vision Saver floor lamp with a dead ballast. I opened it up (surgically!) and found the 1.5A fuse was blown. I put a new one in and it blew immediately when I plugged it in. Rather than try to figure out which component(s) is/are at fault I'd like to just replace it. It has a two-wire output which go to a four-pin lamp socket outer pins. the inner pins are connected to each other with a resistor(?). It's for a 13W bulb. The numbers on the original haven't been very helpful, but here they are:
Model DM8L22
PRI: 120V 60Hz HRTL / C
SEC: 18W 0.28A LR200467
FCC ID: NCH-CM9810122
ANSI/OL 935

Can anyone recommend a replacement. I've emailed OTTLite but they haven't replied.

Thanks in advance
 

73's de Edd

Aug 21, 2015
3,613
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3,613
The rest of the story . . . .
The resistor between the two heaters of the CFL tube is in actuality, a capacitor. On the replacement unit , it is designed into the internal
PCB .
F.I.O. . . . . .

upload_2021-1-24_10-34-46.png
 

drpj

Jan 23, 2021
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drpj

Jan 23, 2021
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stevebass

Mar 26, 2021
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I'm in the same boat and wondering if anyone can answer the two wire-four wire issue.
 

drpj

Jan 23, 2021
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Here's what I did to adapt a four wire (new) ballast to an old OttLite. The new ballast I used is Fulham Lighting Fulham Pony Ballast, NPY-120-126-CFLIMG_2551.jpg
  1. Modified the socket by clipping the tabs that prevent a new bulb from being inserted
  2. Removed the capacitor bridging. two of the (inner) pins of the socket.
  3. Cut off the old ballast put a plug on the wire.
  4. Connected the supply side of the new ballast to the wire running up through the stand (which now has a plug on the other end).
  5. Connected the four wires to the four pins of the lamp socket as shown on the diagram printed on the ballast case.
  6. Mounted the new ballast on the gooseneck where the light head is attached.
  7. Installed a new OttLite T18330 18w Replacement Tube Bulb, Bulb Type B bulb.
Not the most elegant job, but it works.
 

stevebass

Mar 26, 2021
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Mar 26, 2021
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Thanks for the details.

Interesting modification. It's a design that Ottlite might want to copy: elegant, but understated, with the lovely panache of light-colored duct tape.

Seriously, my buddy, someone much more savvy in electronics than I can ever be, asked me to order a Fulham SC-120-113-CFL Pony Sugar Cube Ballast - 120V. He'll perform some magic and jury-rig it in. I'll show him your recommendations. I'm sure he'll ask about the brand of tape you used.
 

drpj

Jan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Make sure you get an 18Watt ballast. I think the one you mentioned is 13Watt.
The replacement bulb is 18Watts, at least the one I got that "fit" then socket is.

Thanks for the details.

Interesting modification. It's a design that Ottlite might want to copy: elegant, but understated, with the lovely panache of light-colored duct tape.

Seriously, my buddy, someone much more savvy in electronics than I can ever be, asked me to order a Fulham SC-120-113-CFL Pony Sugar Cube Ballast - 120V. He'll perform some magic and jury-rig it in. I'll show him your recommendations. I'm sure he'll ask about the brand of tape you used.
 

stevebass

Mar 26, 2021
3
Joined
Mar 26, 2021
Messages
3
Make sure you get an 18Watt ballast. I think the one you mentioned is 13Watt.
The replacement bulb is 18Watts, at least the one I got that "fit" then socket is.

Thanks, I'll return the 13W and get the one you recommended.
 
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