How to Replace Tanning Bed Lamps
When learning how to replace tanning bed lamps, you need to
know is the wattage and "F" number of the lamp you
need to replace, which 90% of the time, is a 100 watt,
F71 type with bi-pin connectors on the ends.
The easiest way is determine your type of bulb is to
look at
the label on the tanning bed or bulb itself.
Normally, the tanning bed will have a label on the front next to a recommended
exposure chart and list an "equivalent" lamp, like the Wolff
Velocity or Belarium S models.
For quick reference, you may check our
compatibility sheet here to see examples, but basically you
are searching for a wattage and "F"
number in the sequence of numbers.
You may also see a FR designation
versus a "F" and they are
interchangeable. If no FR or F
number with a 71, 72, or 73 number
is revealed on a label, you must "measure" the
bulb and look at the "ends" to determine the bulb type.
For instance, the F71 lamp is 69 3/8" long when measured from
metal cap to cap. This is the MOST
COMMON residential model replacement lamp and you can
choose from many different manufacturers and models as long as
they are 100 watt in the F71 length. If you know you have
a
F71 type click here to buy our discount lamp kits with
FREE shipping.
Very important note regarding replacing tanning bed lamps:
You must stay consistent
with the wattage of the replacement bulb because the
ballast's wattage must match the lamp's wattage for proper operation. Therefore,
you can put any 100 watt lamp in your device if you have 100 watt ballasts,
regardless of name printed on the bulb. There is a "common denominator"
you should pay attention to when ordering replacement lamps and that is the
percentage of UVB versus UVA. (%UVB versus %UVA)
Forget about the reading the name on the label, like Wolff, Dual Sun,
Cosmedico, Hi Sun, Dessert Sun,
Turbo, Velocity, Real Sun, etc.
The name means little because most bulbs are produced in the same factory in North America and
the only factors which change are the bulb wattage and % of UVB versus UVA.
Instead, look for F71, 72, etc and
RDC, bi-pin type stuff.
The
rule of thumb with
indoor tanning bed bulbs is
when the % of UVB goes
up, the bulbs become
more burning or reddening,
and as the % of UVB goes
down, the lamps become
more bronzing.
Generally speaking, an
average 20 minute
commercial bed has a
5.5% UVB (thus 95% UVA)
and is considered a
"starter" type bulb
which will not burn you
in the early stages of
tanning when melanin is
not prevalent. A
15-17 minute, level 2
bed, will have 6.5% to
8.5% UVB bulbs, and a
level 3 bed can either
be a 8.5% or 9.5%
"turbo" style bed or 12
minute 2% UVB bronzing
bed or stand up booth.
In summary, most home
tanning bed owners
desire
a 6.5% UVB lamp because
it is "safer" and it
still stimulates melanin
without burning, yet
bronzes as well.
Do not be fooled into
thinking you need a
"hotter" replacement
lamp, because you can
stay in a home tanning
bed as long as you like.
Also, you may have never
felt the real heat of
commercial lamps right
out of the box, which
have a 50 hour break in
period, where they burn
ever hotter.
Commercial salon owners
must move clients
through the door and
accommodate all tastes.
In that case, a 7.5% or
8.5% UVB for their level
2 beds with 100 watt
ballasts will be more
appropriate.
IF your state is un-regulated and your lamps do not have to
be "compatible"
with the
manufacturer's original lamps, you can put any 100 watt
bulb in a 100 watt bed if you are a salon owner or home owner. If
you are a salon owner and not sure if your state is regulated,
check here with your local state health department.
If
unsure of the wattage of your lamps, just check the label on the
ballast in the power supply area of your sun bed. If you
are in a regulated state, you must put in "compatible" lamps and
a
compatibility chart must be on
file and presented upon inspection from the state health
department. We ship a compatibility chart with each bulb
order.
Red light lamps are tightly controlled
in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina,
Texas, Iowa with more states joining the parade every day.
Please
contact your local health department before installing
red
light therapy bulbs
in any commercial device. Red
light beds and Lumiere type LED facial instruments are now
considered class 2 medical devices and must be regulated
accordingly. |