The first step when selecting tanning bed replacement lamps:
The first thing you need to know
is the wattage and "F" number or "length" of the tanning
bed bulb you need to replace,
which is usually, 90% of the time, 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.
Normally, it may say an "equivalent" lamp, like the
Wolff Velocity or Belarium S models. You can
check our compatibility
sheet here but basically you are searching for a
wattage and "F" number in the sequence of numbers.
If no F number or 71, 72, or 73 number is revealed
in the bed or bulb label you may "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 home
tanning bed 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 tanning bed lamp
kits with
FREE shipping.
Try to read the label on the bed or on your
tanning bed or on the bulb itself. If there is
a model or serial number with an F71 or F72A54,
etc...then it may reveal the
type to you. Another way is to look at the
ends and see if they have two pins, called a
"bi-pin" type, or a black rectangle on the end,
called RDC. If you have a RDC type it could be
a F72, F73, or F74 and the only way to know the
difference if the manual, bed label, or bulb label
does not give you a clue, is to measure the bulb
from end cap to end cap. The F72 measures 69
1/8", the F73 measures 70 1/8", and F74 71 1/8".
Click here to buy F72,
F73 or
F74 type stand up tanning
booth replacement bulbs with FREE shipping...
Read more about how to buy tanning bed replacement lamps here:
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING REPLACING TANNING BED LAMPS: You must stay consistent with the wattage of the tanning bed bulb because the ballast's wattage must match the lamp's wattage for proper operation. Therefore, you can put any 100 watt tanning lamp in your tanning bed 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 tanning bed replacement lamps and that is the percentage of 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...it means nothing because all tanning bed 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.
The rule of thumb 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 tanning 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 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 want a 5.5% 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" tanning bed replacement lamp, because you can stay in a home tanning bed as long as you like. 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 ballast 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 tanning bed owner. If you are a salon owner and not sure if your state is regulated, check with the 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.
Read more about tanning bed lamp operating instructions and warnings:
Tanning Bed Bulb Operating Tips: Proper seating of tanning bed lamps in their sockets is vital. Poor seating can lead to poor electrical contact between lamp and socket–and can significantly shorten the life of any lamp. When installing tanning bed in a preheat circuit, it is important to replace the existing S-12 starter with every or every other lamp change. An old, worn out $2 starter can dramatically shorten the life of a lamp worth many dollars more! Minor instabilities such as “snaking” or “swirling” can be corrected by turning the tanning bulbs on and off several times after installation.
Clean tanning bed replacement lamps can improve UV output by as much as 10%! Therefore, make sure you wipe your lamps down with a damp cloth on a regular basis (don’t use solvents!). An tanning bed acrylic that is old and solarized can filter out over 10% of the UVA that is trying to get through, and over 50% of the UVB that is so vital for a tan! Using your UV meter, check lamp output with, and then without, the acrylic sheet in place. If the difference in output exceeds 10%, it’s time to replace the acrylics. It is always a good idea to have a database on each piece of tanning equipment you own. When you install the lamps, and after you have burned them in, read their initial UV output using your UV meter. While opinions vary widely about when to replace lamps, a generally accepted range throughout the industry is when the lamp readings drop to about 60-70% if the initial output. Keep separate records for each piece of tanning equipment, as each lamp type is unique in its output characteristics.
Read more about our various replacement tanning bed light bulbs and products by clicking on your selection here: Red Light Therapy | Red Light LED Anti-aging Bulbs | Blue Light LED Anti-acne Bulbs | Collagen Lamps | F71 Type Lamps | F72 Type Lamps | F73 Type Lamps | F74 Type Lamps | High Pressure Bulbs | Red Light Therapy Beds | Red Light Therapy Canopy | Red Light Therapy Stand Up Beds/Booths