A vicar turned up at his golf club to play a round, it was the club's policy that members played in at least a pair, and the vicar's usual partner wasn't available. "I'm terribly sorry Vicar, the only chap available is Mr Smith and his language leaves a lot to be desired." said the club steward. "I'm sure it will be all right, when he sees that I'm a man of the cloth, he'll moderate his language." replied the vicar.That wasn't to be though, and every time Mr Smith missed a putt, he swore,"Damn missed.!" The Vicar was getting increasingly upset by this and said to the man before he putted again, "I say old man, if you swear like that again God will strike you down with lightning, and sure enough Mr Smith missed sinking the putt, and said, "Damn missed.!" Immediately a bolt of lightning shot down from Heaven, striking the Vicar, killing him. Then a voice from on high called out, "DAMN MISSED.!"

Heh. If you ever figure out how to make a ballast for a 200W SLI/H lamp, let me know, they are real unobtanium

That's fine Ria, I'll keep on waiting till someone else chimes in. Mostly trying to recreate some American style F40T12 ballasts but I have plans to reverse engineer some other ballasts in the coming years. Eventually I may be able to custom make some ballasts for long forgotten lamps from scratch, but that will be when I am a much wiser man.

Hi Max,

No idea, I'm afraid, your namesake might be able to help, or Mark (Tuopeek), but other than that I'm absolutely no use (who said not surprising )

Take care,

Ria & Sammi 💖

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any documentation/information on how to properly design and wind FL/HID ballasts? This is a subject I've become increasingly interested in as the supply of these ballasts gets smaller and smaller each day. I've started doing a little research on my own but I can't seem to find anything beyond what the circuit diagram inside a ballast is. Another collector who is also interested in the same idea is sending me a few Rapid Start FL ballasts for study but any info helps.

Absolutely, and my brother was also in a wheelchair, so I can also relate to it.

@ AH:
I never knew the story behind 'St Elmo's Fire', but it's a truly inspiring one.!

I've just uploaded the only picture that I've got of what daddy called 'The strong little bugger'.

I never knew him, it was before I knew you sweetheart, but know I'll always be here for you, no matter what

Today is the 20th anniversary of my bestsest frend being killed in Iraq.
He and a South African, Johan Terry were killled by a roadside bomb in Zubayr, near Basra. They were working for Olive Security as PMCs.
May both of you rest in peace.