Sync RSG and using florescent light as a strobe

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Sync RSG and using florescent light as a strobe
From: "Basura, Brian" <brian.basura-at-unistudios-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)
Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 16:24:41 -0600
Approved: twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net
Delivered-To: fixup-tesla-at-pupman-dot-com-at-fixme


When using a florescent light as a strobe to check the lockup of a sync RSG
make sure it is of the inductive ballast type and not the electronic ballast
type.  The inductive ballast causes the light to flicker in sync with the
mains frequency (good for our purpose) but the electronic ballast that I've
checked are from 450-550hz (not good for us). An easy way to determine the
type you have (without any disassembly) is to swing the light in front of
you and you'll see the pulses if it's the older style ballast.

This may explain why some people have good luck using the fluorescent light
technique and others just can't seem to get it to work.

Regards,
Brian D. Basura