For Darren

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay...I was busy today -- Jury Duty. Anyway, I don't think diodes will help you in this situation because the ballasts are actually driving AC signals, so there will be a negative and positive signal component. If you place a diode in series, it will block one of the components (hence, half as bright). The AC signals is operating around 10 to 100 kHz (hence electronic switching ballast). But...you can try it...you'll need a 1n4007....1kV/1A forwad bias diode. A more common 1n4005 may work too (600V/1A) Fairly generic diodes....

Your best bet is to put in a relay between the bulbs and the ballast (plus the power). Personally, I think you should be okay without any protection. There is already built in protection within the device that prevents the switcher transistors from blowing up.

- Victor.