Powering the LED Channels
All PhotoTech LED channels are universal voltage and universal mount. This means there are a number of ways you can power them, making them extremely versatile. Each channel has a sophisticated electronics system built inside allowing virtually any type of AC or ballast to operate them. They are built around the T8 size, but can be mounted using a standard bi-pin lamp holder for either T8 or T12 lamps. Shunted lamp holders are best for simplicity, but any lamp holder will do fine.
Direct wire
You can connect the channels directly to any AC power source from 120 volts to 240 volts. This is how we connect them in our systems. For 120v just connect the "hot" leg to either pin on one end of the channel, and a neutral wire to the other end. The pins are jumped internally for each end, so it doesn't matter which pin you use. For 208/240 volts, just connect one of the hot wires to one end, and the other to the opposite end. That is all there is to it.
Retrofit a tanning bed or fluorescent red light therapy bed
Any tanning bed or red light therapy bed that uses F71T12 lamps can use the channels without significant modification. While the LED channels are thinner than a tanning lamp (T8 or 1" round versus the T!2 tanning tubes being 1.5") they will still fit in place just fine. The channels have been tested on about 20 different ballast systems, from magnetic (choke) to high frequency electronic. In addition to the channel have a built in driver (ballast + rectifier), they also have adjusting electronics to convert the power from ballasts to something usable for the driver.
Note: If you tanning bed / red light bed uses magnetic / choke style ballasts which use the S12/K11 lamp starters, or any lamp starter, then you MUST remove all the lamp starters from the bed. This takes only a couple of minutes, and they twist and pop out. Otherwise you risk damaging the channel. If in doubt, just call us before installing.
Please note that when you convert the tanning bed / red light therapy bed to an LED system, the LEDs will still use only the wattage they are rated for (depends on the channel you buy), however, the ballasts in your bed will still draw more power than if it was direct wired.
It is possible to completely convert a tanning bed to a direct wire system, reducing the total amp draw, but it isn't a simple matter, as the entire bed will have to be rewired. This isn't recommended for most people. Most of the time, it is better to just remove the lamps and starters, install the new LED channels, and in about 30 minutes you have fully converted the unit. The channels were designed specifically to make this process as easy as changing a set of bulbs.
Direct wire
You can connect the channels directly to any AC power source from 120 volts to 240 volts. This is how we connect them in our systems. For 120v just connect the "hot" leg to either pin on one end of the channel, and a neutral wire to the other end. The pins are jumped internally for each end, so it doesn't matter which pin you use. For 208/240 volts, just connect one of the hot wires to one end, and the other to the opposite end. That is all there is to it.
Retrofit a tanning bed or fluorescent red light therapy bed
Any tanning bed or red light therapy bed that uses F71T12 lamps can use the channels without significant modification. While the LED channels are thinner than a tanning lamp (T8 or 1" round versus the T!2 tanning tubes being 1.5") they will still fit in place just fine. The channels have been tested on about 20 different ballast systems, from magnetic (choke) to high frequency electronic. In addition to the channel have a built in driver (ballast + rectifier), they also have adjusting electronics to convert the power from ballasts to something usable for the driver.
Note: If you tanning bed / red light bed uses magnetic / choke style ballasts which use the S12/K11 lamp starters, or any lamp starter, then you MUST remove all the lamp starters from the bed. This takes only a couple of minutes, and they twist and pop out. Otherwise you risk damaging the channel. If in doubt, just call us before installing.
Please note that when you convert the tanning bed / red light therapy bed to an LED system, the LEDs will still use only the wattage they are rated for (depends on the channel you buy), however, the ballasts in your bed will still draw more power than if it was direct wired.
It is possible to completely convert a tanning bed to a direct wire system, reducing the total amp draw, but it isn't a simple matter, as the entire bed will have to be rewired. This isn't recommended for most people. Most of the time, it is better to just remove the lamps and starters, install the new LED channels, and in about 30 minutes you have fully converted the unit. The channels were designed specifically to make this process as easy as changing a set of bulbs.
