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From: mmm@cup.portal.com (Mark Robert Thorson)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: florescents don't like cold!
Message-ID: <28616@cup.portal.com>
Date: 6 Apr 90 01:18:19 GMT
References: <29716@amdcad.AMD.COM> <14870@cbnewsc.ATT.COM>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
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I've been told that the reason for this phenomenon is that the mercury
condenses in the tube.  If this is true, then it certainly makes sense
that all tubes -- expensive or cheap -- made for normal household use
would suffer from the phenomenon.

It's also reasonable to believe that tubes specifically designed for
outdoor use would work fine.  Perhaps they have more mercury or lower
pressure or some mechanism for the filaments to heat the mercury.

Do all flourescent tubes have filaments?  What's the internal difference
among 1 vs. 2 pin tubes?