ist magazine October 2022

Lamp Talk with Leif

Sunlamp CoolingZones Long vs Short Leif Vasstrom

QUESTION: What’s the difference between a “long mount” and “short-mount” fluorescent tanning lamp? ANSWER: Today, the majority of tanning system manufacturers are em ploying short-mount lamps in their large (upgrade) beds. When systems are using e-ballasts or e-control systems, it is okay to use a short-mount lamp as the energy supplied to the lamp is highly controlled and there is proper cooling applied to create a cool operational environment. Some stand-up tanning systems (such as Sun Capsule booths) still use the long-mount lamp design, as the units do not always offer efficient cooling to the lamps and they need the built in “cooling-zone” to help temper the lamp’s internal temperature. Also, units with other choke ballasts will typically still be fitted with a long-mount product as they are often supplied with extra voltage in order to increase UV output, creating a situation in which the lamps are a bit “overpowered.”

HO vs. VHO CONSTRUCTION • 80-120W lamps are classified as High Output (or HO). They are always produced using short-mount coil construction in which the coil is posi tioned +/- 1” from the lamp base. • 140-225W lamps are classified as Very High Output (or VHO). They are most often produced using long-mount coil construction in which the coil is posi tioned +/- 3” from the base and isolated via an integral heat shield (see below).

This construction method is required for highly-loaded lamps (+140W) to provide:

• Maximum UV output • Maximum physical life • Maximum usable life

It is possible to modify a short-mount (HO) lamp so that it will work when powered by VHO ballasts. • Certain manufacturers do this be cause they can’t produce long-mount products. • Certain manufacturers do this because short-mount designs are inexpensive. Short-mount (HO) lamps may give ad equate performance in VHO applications, but only if the tanning system is designed to provide rigorous and precise cooling needed by the HO design. Nevertheless, short-mount lamps will never compete with the UV production, maintenance and durability of true VHO products. 

Heat Shield

About the Author: Industry veteran Leif Vasstrom founded Napa, CA-based Supra Brands Group in 2004, and has been at the forefront of sunlamp innovation since 1978. He opened the first tanning salon in NYC on Madison Avenue in 1978. In 1985, his company designed the Breeze Salon Software and business management program, acquired by SunLync in 2003. He launched the Silver Solar ium equipment line in 1978, and Dr. Müller systems in 1993. In 1986, he helped start Applied Digital (T-Max). In 2011, Supra acquired industry forum tantoday.com as a means to further the message about the positive aspects of moderate UV exposure.

alesmunt / stock.adobe.com

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October 2022 istmagazine.com