Hi, I recently got a vintage artemide tolomeo mini, but the transformer is really big and heavy and needs an adapter to work in Europe. The whole transformer plus adapter is as long as a pen and is a pain to fit under my desk. I'm asking you if it's doable to replace it with something smaller.

https://preview.redd.it/m0q3od4160x91.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f3f577278d24e709ef2b8148f540932ee9dd2193

https://preview.redd.it/elta5hl860x91.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dfb62a22f4e8d606c867f20335c939ad6602c1bc

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Diligent_Nature t1_iufkoh9 wrote on October 30, 2022 at 11:07 PM

That's a ballast, not a transformer. Replace it with an LED bulb which fits that form factor.

Hattix t1_iuf70fa wrote on October 30, 2022 at 9:31 PM

There's almost no info on this online (and Artemide likes to use the same name for many different products over the years), but the lamp's operating voltage is important here. What does a bulb say it's rated to?

Arkenys OP t1_iufdx8w wrote on October 30, 2022 at 10:19 PM

Thanks for your answer, the lamp require 13W G24d. I tried to look for documentation, but I believe that this model have evolved quite a lot over the years.

Hattix t1_iuh0l24 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:22 AM

Right, that answers it. Your transformer is in fact a fluorescent ballast. I suspected it was either a 2:1 stepdown or a ballast.

Replacing it is possible, as Artemide generally made for the European market, however a cursory search around lighting suppliers doesn't find any among Artemide parts suppliers.

It will be better to replace the lamp holder for a standard bayonet or screw, then you can use any number of lamps in it.

Hattix t1_iuiuzl2 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:40 PM

Also, for those wondering why I'd suspect a stepdown: 120V halogens were more widely available with a better CRI than 240V halogens, and Artemide sells these as lamps suitable for artists and draughtsmen.

paulmarchant t1_iufk2qt wrote on October 30, 2022 at 11:02 PM

Is this the type of lamp it takes?

https://www.cromptonlamps.com/Catalogue/Compact-Fluorescent/D-Type-PLC/CFL-Double-Turn-D-Type-13W-3500K-G24d-1-2-Pin-CLD13SW

It seems a really odd type of lamp for that type of fitting, but that's all I can translate the 13w G24D to.

If it is, you might be stuck with the power supply you've got, as it's a fluorescent ballast and not a transformer.

That said, it all comes down to how much effort you want to put in. It wouldn't be that hard to convert it to an LED fitting, but would involve some cutting and drilling and fitting a different lamp holder.

You'd still need a plug-top style power supply, and I'm not sure that the end result would be that much smaller than what you have at present.

Emergency-Wave-5335 t1_iug8frc wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:09 AM

It's a ballast.

davenobody t1_iugxsru wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:40 AM

I had fixtures in my kitchen that took that type of bulb. I couldn't find the ballast anywhere when they started going bad. Decided it was easier to rewire the cans for LEDs that take house current. Found a YouTube video that explained it all pretty clearly. Was really simple and I don't have to swap out those stupid bulbs anymore.

phyrros t1_iuizvpq wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:13 PM

a) it is a ballast

b) it was produced in germany, I found only this page (https://houben.eu/index.php/arnold-houben-gmbh/produkte/houben-lichttechnik/betriebsgeraete/fuer-leuchtstofflampen/elektromagnetische-vorschaltgeraete/elektromagnetische-steckervorschaltgeraete-230-v-mit-kabel) where they list a very similar product

c) I would go with LED in almost all cases

You could simply buy a lamp like eg https://www.beleuchtung-mit-led.de/osram-4058075558106-led-lampe-dulux-d-stablampe-g24d-1-6w-600lm-warmweiss-3000k-wie-13w.html?refID=10 throw it in and if it works you can do away with your ballast