| Author | Message | ||
| peter bartolo (Peterb)
Registered Member Username: Peterb Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 66.178.166.90 Rating: N/A |
If anyone knows the "truth" on those six foot long factory-stock overhead lighting strips (including where the ballast drive box is located on a Flxible or GM city bus).... help! I would like to know more. | ||
| Mark Karlsson (Flying_fishbowl)
Registered Member Username: Flying_fishbowl Post Number: 16 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 76.103.148.236 Rating: N/A |
Peter: I have a '61 GMC 4516 bus. The 6' factory lights in my bus are powered by a ballast unit in the right front of the bus under the dashboard. This converts the 12 volts to 1,000 volts high-frequency. Don't put your fingers in the wrong place! My ballast unit had quit, but my manual gives a complete repair section on it. I had to replace a couple of transistors in the unit. Any additional help I can give you, let me know. Mark | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 964 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5  Rating: N/A |
the one I had, had individual ballasts at each lamp assy. | ||
| peter bartolo (Peterb)
Registered Member Username: Peterb Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 66.178.166.123 Rating: N/A |
I have found two city transit busses...one is a Flxible one a GMC, both around 1972/3 I would use three of these 6 foot setups "if" I could find the location of the drive ballasts.... I thought the GMC location was behind/below the drivers seat... I will check th dash ! Thanks guys, are these 24 or 12 and any info on draw? peterb | ||
| Steveggt (Steveggt)
Registered Member Username: Steveggt Post Number: 36 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 71.116.77.147 Rating: N/A |
Hi Peter, Some GM transits had the ballast units just above the driver's head on the partition between the driver and first seat just behind the driver. Like Mark mentioned earlier, they take 12v DC of input and convert it to a high-frequency output to run the fluorescent bulbs. Definitely be careful around the terminals because the units have capacitors and will give you a hair-raising shock even if the lights are off. When you find your ballast unit, make sure you replace it with a unit of the same input voltage! The input voltage should be clearly marked on the unit. Hope this helps. - steve | ||
| peter bartolo (Peterb)
Registered Member Username: Peterb Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 66.178.166.23 Rating: N/A |
how big of a unit am I looking for? is it encased or? I am going back next week to remove some lights, is there any idea of 12/24 volt draw? Thanx for all of the help !! |