Phonoland

Hello guys, can anyone tell me the correct florescent bulb, ballast and starter for a 1974 453 Rockola? I understand that the starter should indicate "condenser" on it, but cannot locate one with that on it. Thanks

What is the length of the lamp--measured "pin ends to pin ends" ?
Ron Rich

It measures 27 and 5/8's inches from end of pin to end of pin. A bulb with designation of F25T12/CW/28 does fit in the slots (tombstones), where 28 indicates the length of the bulb I think. So I guess it's called a 28 inch bulb. But I also think that the 453 model bulb slots. Also, one of the tombstones for the top bulb (the one for the selection choices) is spring loaded which allows the tombstone to slide another 1/2 inch thus allowing for a slightly longer bulb. Thanks Mike

OOPS! Forgot to mention that the bulb designation I gave on the previous post is NOT off of the original bulb. When I got the 453, it did not have any bulbs or starters in it at all. Thanks again, Mike

Mike,
I dono what a "tomestone" is ? 28 inch is a standard length--the next size is 30 inches--
A 28 inch T-8 lamp can take either a FS-2, or FS-25 starter, depending on the starter maker--most are marked for wattage, and the lamp is also--just match them, or purchase a "universal" one--and YES, a "condenser" type MUST be used, in any computerized equipment. Ballast, if needed, will depend on the requirements of the lamp, usually marked in wattage, on the lamps. Ron Rich

Hey Ron, thanks for the reply. A tombstone is a slang name for the socket that some florescent bulbs plug into because lots of the sockets resemble the shape of a tombstone. Thanks, Mike

Mike
Ah,--now I see it--is that the type used in the RockOla? Must jukeboxes use a much smaller socket.
Ron Rich

No Ron, My Rockola 453 does not use that type "tombstone", it utilizes smaller ones. Also, do you know if a "non condenser" type starter will work for the florescent bulbs. Cannot find a condenser type.

Mike,
As I done writ--a condenser is mandatory, on any computer driven device. I'm surprised, as I can only find them with condenser--
Try ACE Hdwr. Ron Rich

I get FS2 & FS25 at Home Depot. Both are 'with condenser".

The reason for this is to minimize the noise spikes thrown into the AC line by lamp startup or end of life flickering. This causes some odd problems in computer-based devices.

On the older E-M or Tormat machines this will only cause noises in the audio.

Rob?NYC

Rob,
I think the Home De-pot has them here too-got a "bumper sticker", from them, some time ago, when "Lowes" opened in this area--It is the HD orange, with white lettering that shows the HD logo, and says "MY-- toy store"--
Ron Rich

Thanks for all the help and input on my fluorescent bulb problems on my Rockola 453. Since my machine is not and never will be a "showroom" unit, I kinda fudged a little bit and rewired the bulbs and used a ballast that does not require a starter. The bulbs work fine now. Thanks again.Mike

Mike,
This MAY, or may not be OK--depending on the ballast used, and any "kick-back"from it, or the lamp itself, it could cause computer problems--be100% SURE that the lamp circuit is properly fused !
Ron Rich