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#65379 05/01/06 08:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 171
M
Merlin Offline OP
Member
I need to install a circuit for a tanning bed. The instructions that the customer has reads as follows.

"IMPORTANT: Voltage must be between 215-225 VAC or may require a Buck Booster(conveniently available from Tanning Direct with your purchase)"

Is anyone familiar with these units? Is this neccessary with a 240 VAC circuit? The brand is Solar Storm 24R tanning bed. This is going in a home.

Thanks for any help

#65380 05/01/06 09:03 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 57
D
Member
[Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by distributor x (edited 05-04-2006).]

#65381 05/01/06 09:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
If the manufacturer ask for 215 - 225 you should (have to) provide it.

I have wired frozen drink machines that required 236 volts. The manufacture put about a half a dozen stickers and notes "To the electrician" specifying 236 volts.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#65382 05/01/06 09:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 939
F
Member
i did work on alot of tanning bed and they are very picky with voltage rating due large load of ballast and some case heater in there.

i just got done dealt with one machine say 210 volt only so i put a buck/boost transformer to get it right.

by the way dont derate the tanning bed if you do the load figures [ i found out in hard way ]


Merci, Marc


Pas de problme,il marche n'est-ce pas?"(No problem, it works doesn't it?)

#65383 05/01/06 09:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 361
C
Member
My neighbor owns 2 tanning salons. Each store/bed array is set-up to match the manufac. power requirements....it didn't hurt that this guy is ALSO an electrician [Linked Image] .
If that what the specs call for - that's what you need (but not neccessarily from the tanning bed co. )


~~ CELTIC ~~
...-= NJ =-...
#65384 05/03/06 01:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
Did a bunch of Tanning Bed stuff between 1990 and 1993, so please bare with me if I am not up with the current stuff!

All the Beds that used Fluorescent Lamps (typical arays of T12 Lamps, with Beryllium added) were intended to be connected to 120/240 Volt single phase 3 wire circuits.

Although they were used in buildings having 208Y/120V 3Ø 4 Wire Systems, they still required a 3 Wire circuit - as the Ballasts were 120 Volt rated, so were the fans and control equipment (contactors, etc.).

These Beds had one circuit driving the top section, and the other driving the bottom section.

Never saw any Fluorescent Lamp type Bed which was designed to be driven by a 240 Volt 2 Wire Circuit.

I did, however, connect several "High Intensity Beds", which were designed to be connected to 200 - 250 Volt 3Ø 3 Wire Circuits.
These did not use Fluorescent Lamps (T12), but instead use High Wattage Mercury Vapor HID Lamps.

The Ballasting of these Lamps was done via individual Autotransformers, with a variety of input Voltage taps.

The "Common Wish" of the Clients I dealt with was to have a little higher Voltage at the Bed, so the Lamps were driven as high as possible.

Best bet is to read the tolerances listed on the Ballasts themselves, test the Nominal Voltage at the Beds' Outlet (do so during peak times and non-peak times), and apply Voltage correcting methods as needed.

If these Beds are indeed using 120 Volt Ballastry, requiring a 3 wire circuit, then you will need to use two Transformers to boost / buck Voltage - _UNLESS_ you drive a separate Panelboard from a Wye connected Autotransformer system (Boosting/Bucking arrangement) and use circuitry from it for these Beds.

Good luck!

Scott35


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
#65385 05/03/06 01:04 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
Just re-read the OP, and found out the Tanning Bed will be used in a House, so "86" the Wye connected Autotransformer idea!

Scott35


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
#65386 05/04/06 09:19 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
T
Member
I installed a tanning bed outlet under identical conditions & purchased the transformer from the tanning bed supplier. IMO it made the same company responsible for everything. All I had to do was tell them exactly what the house voltage was. It all turned out beautiful.

Dave

#65387 05/04/06 11:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 171
M
Merlin Offline OP
Member
I finally got some info from the bed company today. It only took me two emails, a phone call and most of a week. Yes, (Tiger)that's exactly how it worked. They asked me the actual voltage a fit a transformer to it. (for an additional $125 plus $10 shipping)

I still don't understand why these "residential" beds are designed for 220 VAC when the nominal is 240 VAC. I guess so they can sell you more equipment.

Thanks Again for all the valuable information!!


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