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In-line Fuseholder
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Here's a shot of the inline fuses I usually use with older ballasts. They are mainly to provide an extra layer of protection from the ballast blowing. This particular one protects a 1960s CGE F20T12 HPF ballast that was originally used in a school display case. I used these inline fuses after reading about them on one of Rick's posts on LG where he recommended fusing old preheat ballasts.
Anyways generally you should fuse ballasts around 0.1-0.2A over what the label says. The fuses are standard 1/4" fuses and holders and should be available from Radio Shack.
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The fuses are glass tubes usually rated for 250V at varying amperages so you should pick the correct rated for each ballast. The fuse can be remote mounted but I've found it easier just to mount the fuse inside the fixture channel.
Oh and for a two-lamp F40 ballast, a 1A fuse should be good.
Joe, I really like your ideas! You, Mike, Dave Silverliner, and Aaron would have to be my best "friends" on here! You guys are great!
I only have 1 in-line fuse installed cause it came with the fixture which is currently not in use...it used to have a 277V ballast so don't know if the fuse would even protect at all, i just dont see the hassle reasoning behind re wiring all my fixtures when most have either an air gap or the ballast isn't directly touching any wood through the fixture housing, that's why ballasts have covers and fixtures to contain the action if in a rare case running proper lamps.does ocurr