Bug Zappers

[Beta 5]

Anyone got any recommendations on bug zappers? I am considering getting a 2x8W unit for use in the kitchen but not sure which brands are any good.
I've worked on some Exocutor ones which seemed pretty good but those are a good 25 years old now, so whether this brand is still any good or have cheapened down now?

Assuming they still use a wire wound transformer for the zapping an a 13W choke for the tubes in series? Not sure how well available 8W BL tubes are now too?

[dor123]

All you need, is to choose one with external starter sockets and a switch start ballast and an autoleak transformer for the zapping net like mine: https://www.lighting-gallery.net/galler ... os=-255342

[Beta 5]

Well I got an Insect-o-cutor 8W one, unfortunately it is all electronic as there doesn't seem to be much that is either horribly poorly built or LED now, either that or they take non standard or hard to find tubes.
If it fails there does look to be enough room to retrofit it with switch start gear and a wire wound zapping transformer though. It came with a pair of Philips TL8W/10 Actinic tubes, made in Poland.

[Oliver]

May be better off trying to find a good used one, now that they don't seem to make magnetic ones anymore (and it's hard to tell what gear they use from the stock images).

My EazyZap Y724 must've been one of the last magnetic ones before they were discontinued. It only cost around £24, and now they're anywhere from £40 - £80!

[Beta 5]

Yeah that is my thought's actually, just been looking for some used magnetic ones. As you said it is hard to tell from the images and they don't often specify the gear or transformer type.

Yours must have been one of the last yes, when did you get it? I guess it had to stop at some point and I am surprised they were still magnetic for as long as they were tbh.

Pelsis do still make an insect-o-cutor Exocutor branded one which looks like it is aimed at the commercial sector, that appears to be switch start based on the input wattage for the 2x8W one and does specify a "reliable 3750V transformer". Only thing is they all are priced at least or well over the £200 mark!

[Ash]

Right now the local "cheap stock" (a poundland equivalent) has FL zappers on discount, 2x8W T5 and 2x10W T8 (for which unfortunately replacement tubes are not widely available because it never was a popular size, the next popular one is 2x18W). I have not opened up any (or bought any), but the one on display does have the plastic pins visible which look like starter sockets clipped in on the inside of the gear compartment. I dont know what the HV supply in them is

[Oliver]

I bought mine early 2019.

[Nick217]

Most if not all of mine have come from abandoned places.

[Beta 5]

Probably the best way to get a good quality unit! I imagine all they really need is a good clean up and come up nicely. Which ones have you managed to save, ever come across any 22W circline ones? Used to see those about quite a lot.

@Oliver, it looks like back then the one I've got was still switch start too, I do wonder if there are even still many switch start chokes even being made now, maybe why they switched?

[FrontSideBus]

I got one from an abandoned chippy a long time ago. I skipped it because nothing I tried could get rid off the grease... even petrol!