tientien 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2007 hi people,i just received my lightings yesterday and after checking through, i realised that the ballast given to me were not labelled as made in australia. called up the lighting company and the sales guy told me that it is indeed australia ballast but the label was only printed on the box. he promised to give me australia ballast when i purchased the lights there.was his claim true or there should be "ATCO" printed on the ballast.i am just furious that they are taking me for a ride or trying to cheat a poor lady here, thinking that i am ignorant (cos i went on my own without hubby).the sales guy also gave me 10w plc lights instead of 13w and the brand is sakura! i am not particular about the brand but i m cheese off if he is trying to short change me with a 10w light.i will be bringing all my items back to the shop to exchange, so your comments will really help me with the case.thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brainstorm 0 Report post Posted July 5, 2007 (edited) Did they promise you the ATCO brand or just any ballast from Australia? Maybe can go to the ATCO product web page and see if your ballast look the same.... http://www.tridonicatco.com/kms/cms/kms.php?str_id=80this is the magnetic ballast...this is the electronic ballast...By the way which one you using? Magnetic or electronic? Edited July 5, 2007 by Brainstorm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kensanctuary 0 Report post Posted July 5, 2007 Hi..noob here. What's the different Magnetic or electronic? Australia brand better, y? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tientien 0 Report post Posted July 5, 2007 Did they promise you the ATCO brand or just any ballast from Australia? Maybe can go to the ATCO product web page and see if your ballast look the same.... http://www.tridonicatco.com/kms/cms/kms.php?str_id=80this is the magnetic ballast...this is the electronic ballast...By the way which one you using? Magnetic or electronic?i am using the magnetic ballast. they just told me australia ballast but didnt mention whether its ATCO. i am actually not that fussy about that as long as they are equally lasting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawry 3 Report post Posted July 5, 2007 When I bought all my lights from Pantech@Jurong East, the guy mentioned that he replaced all the ballast that will be from Australia. There's a logo of a kangeroo on the ballast and the words "Made in Australia", I checked them when it was delivered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brainstorm 0 Report post Posted July 5, 2007 Hi..noob here. What's the different Magnetic or electronic? Australia brand better, y?Electronic is the newer technology and it consume less power, generate less heat, provides instant start, don't require "starter", support flicker-free light as it operate around 25,000Hz as compared to magnetics's 60Hz, does not generate the soft "huming" sound, makes the same lamp 10% brighter ......But need to make sure you get a reliable electronic ballast as most cheap ones will spoil within 6 months due to cheap electronic components used. If it can last more then 6 months, likely this ballast will work for a long long time. Good local brands are Philips and Elbiru. Cost is around $12-$18 depending on how many tube it can support.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kensanctuary 0 Report post Posted July 6, 2007 OIC. If I m using the Magnetic, can I just change to Electronic ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brainstorm 0 Report post Posted July 6, 2007 OIC. If I m using the Magnetic, can I just change to Electronic ?Yes. Just get the correct electronic ballast model depending on the type of light you use (T8, PLC, etc.) Ask the shop people to give you the correct one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TYM 0 Report post Posted July 7, 2007 When I bought all my lights from Pantech@Jurong East, the guy mentioned that he replaced all the ballast that will be from Australia. There's a logo of a kangeroo on the ballast and the words "Made in Australia", I checked them when it was delivered.Was at Lightzone in Balestier in the afternoon and thats what the sales staff told me also. He showed me a sample of the ballast and they have the kangaroo logo and the "Made in Australia" wordings also. But then, he did cautioned that even imitations can have these two things printed also, so now I also dun know how to verify. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phohace 0 Report post Posted April 18, 2008 I was told that a piece of ATCO ballast (for 18W downlight) from Australia can cost $5 more than a Malaysia-made ballast.Any justification for the difference? Are ATCO ballast safer and more long lasting? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtek 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 Electronic is the newer technology and it consume less power, generate less heat, provides instant start, don't require "starter", support flicker-free light as it operate around 25,000Hz as compared to magnetics's 60Hz, does not generate the soft "huming" sound, makes the same lamp 10% brighter ...... But need to make sure you get a reliable electronic ballast as most cheap ones will spoil within 6 months due to cheap electronic components used. If it can last more then 6 months, likely this ballast will work for a long long time. Good local brands are Philips and Elbiru. Cost is around $12-$18 depending on how many tube it can support.... Hi bro, for your infomation, Philips are from Holland with some of their factory based in China. Elbiru are local brands which Osram or Philips can affort to buy-up 100 of the Elbiru's factory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtek 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 OIC. If I m using the Magnetic, can I just change to Electronic ? Hi bro, if u light fixture already installed up then may take more effort to change but still possible. If your is a PLC, then you will also need to change lamp holder for changing to Electronic Ballast. But a good electronic ballast really helps u to save a lot of energy (about 10-20%) and the light will be much stable as compared with magnetic ballast which will flicker more. To understand this, i passed by a shop at 137 Jalan Besar and they got this Philips display on the comparision between electronic ballast and magnetic ballast turn on side by side. If u free, go down take look and get a answer with your own eyes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtek 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2008 I was told that a piece of ATCO ballast (for 18W downlight) from Australia can cost $5 more than a Malaysia-made ballast. Any justification for the difference? Are ATCO ballast safer and more long lasting? ATCO really cost a bit higher than local or in-house bcos of their brand and product stability. This company was originated from Aus but bought over by an major brand. I would say ATCO has got the longest history in magnetic ballast in our local market to the extend that some shops would call magnetic ballast as ATCO ballast. As of for country of origin, ATCO had got a plant in JB recent years but still their are getting magnetic ballast from Aus factory. But there might still be possible that some of them sold here are JB made. Which country of origin is not really matters, its the company that manufactured the product reputation more important. ATCO, OSRAM, PHILIPS are MNC in the lighting with huge R&D teams to develop product for the next gernation. They are in the market for many years some even longer than our grand-parents. Just like when u r buying cars, Toyota Altis are make in Thailand but still the sales of Altis are still high. WHY? Cos Toyota is a reliable brand with good technology. Altis are made by Toyota Company and not "Thailand Company". Just sharing what i know... hope you guys dun mind... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CraB 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2008 ...10w plc lights instead of 13w and the brand is sakura! Sounds like you kena ripoff? You had better feedback to your ID, as brightness may differ quite a bit, and may affect your overall lighting (too dim?). Not sure if there is much diff in brightness between 10W and 13W though. If it is between a Philips or Osram 10W and 13W, maybe some diff in light intensity, but if it is between Philips or Osram 13W and some other brand 10W (e.g. Sakura), I dunno. Never heard of Sakura anyway (post a pic?). Most reliable shops are using Philips or Osram (but other known brands do exist). Finally, if your plc is meant for a 13W, not sure if it affects a 10W plc light's lifespan. Experts can advise on this...personally I would demand on 13W lights and Philips or Osram. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtek 0 Report post Posted June 23, 2008 Sounds like you kena ripoff? You had better feedback to your ID, as brightness may differ quite a bit, and may affect your overall lighting (too dim?). Not sure if there is much diff in brightness between 10W and 13W though. If it is between a Philips or Osram 10W and 13W, maybe some diff in light intensity, but if it is between Philips or Osram 13W and some other brand 10W (e.g. Sakura), I dunno. Never heard of Sakura anyway (post a pic?). Most reliable shops are using Philips or Osram (but other known brands do exist). Finally, if your plc is meant for a 13W, not sure if it affects a 10W plc light's lifespan. Experts can advise on this...personally I would demand on 13W lights and Philips or Osram. Lumen Output (Brightness) between PLC 10W & 13W: PLC 10W = 600 Lumen PLC 13W = 900 Lumen PLC 18W = 1200 Lumen PLC 26W = 1800 Lumen *Figure base on major brands like Osram & Philips etc. For Sakura, no details as its not the common brands in this class. For lifespan, if you use a 13W ballast to run a 10W lamp, of cos the lamp will still work but the 10W lamp will fail earlier as its been over powered. Under powered like using 10W ballast to work on 13W will either lamp not working or fail early too. Hope its helpful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
