Purchasing The Appropriate Tanning Lamps For Your Tanning Bed
There are a few things you need to consider when selecting the correct lamps for your tanning equipment.
First of all, you want to ensure that you order the appropriate style lamp. Lamps are offered in different lengths, different wattages, and with different end caps.
The most common lamp styles are 100 watt bulbs in F71-F72 or F73.
Which lamps do I have?
-
The F71 lamp is the easiest to recognize because it is the only lamp which presents two prongs on the end (bi-pins). This lamp style is avialable in both 100 watt and 160 watt versions.
-
The F72 and F73 (RDC) lamps feature a black clip on the end and are available in both 100 watt and 160 watt versions.
-
The F59 lamps are found in equipment with facial tanners (cartridges), these lamps are shorter then the other styles available.
Please note: 160 watt lamps are found in commercial tanning equipment. You can not put 160 watt lamps in a bed that requires 100 watt lamps without risking damage to your ballasts as well as overall harm to your equipment.
Also, please note that there are other lamp options available other then the few styles discussed above. For example some beds offer short thin spagetti bulbs as facial accelerators. If uncertain, please call.
Read Your Lamps.
- When preparing to purchase lamps you should begin by gathering all the letters and numbers from the lamps currently installed. Often they are simple to read. For example, F71 T12 100w represents an F71 100 watt bulb.
- However, you may see something like this, SA2-10-100w. This is an F73 100 watt lamp.
- If reading your lamps does not provide you with certainty on which style is the approriate style then please e-mail all letters and numbers to us and we will be happy to check for you. Also, Tanning Consultants are happy to assist.
Which lamps are Best for Me?
Two things should eb considered when deciding which lamps are best for you.
- Skin Type
- Tanning History
A tanner with fair skin that has not been tanning all season will need a different lamp then a darker skin type who has been tanning several times a week.
Check the listings, if they reference for advanced tanners only, (Twisters and Velocity Extremes) be sure you qualify as advanced. If you are very fair then you should consider a gentler lamp such as the Diamond Sun. If you fall somewhere in the middle then consider the Solarflare, Velocity or Dark Tan lamps.

Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our