Step One
First, write down this number: 1-800-274-1744. If there are questions you have that are
not answered in this guide, you can call us toll-free. Trust us, write it down so you
don't forget where you found this information! Bookmarking this page (add to favorites) is
also a good idea. It will make coming back much easier.
Before you can buy tanning lamps for your tanning bed, we will need some information.
If you are not near your tanning bed, you will need to write this information down when
you get home. (This is why you should write our phone number down, so you can call us
then). If you already know what size lamps you need (F71, F73, etc.) then you can go
to Step Two
1. What is the brand of tanning bed? Examples are SunMaster, SunQuest Wolff, SunVision,
Alpha Sun, Suntana, Alisun, Montego Bay, SonnenBruane, etc. "Wolff" is not a
brand, we need the manufacturer's name.
2. How many lamps are in the bed?
3. Do you have face tanning on the bed? (The kind that is a purple plate that is over
your face area. Those use a different bulb) If so, how many?
4. If you can see the label on the lamp, GREAT! Write that down! If not, that is ok,
too. The important numbers look similar to this: F71T12BLHO or similar. They
almost always start with the "F" number, which is really what we are after.
F71, F72, F73, F59 (short lamps) are what you will see.
If your tanning bed is older than 15 years old, or has face tanning, we ask you call us
at 1-800-274-1744 unless you can read the size of the lamps, count the sizes for each
(typically F59 short lamps and F71 long lamps) and order online. We don't mind the call,
its what we do!
If you have a common tanning bed, with NO face tanning plates, then you are about done.
If your tanning bed is any of the following models:
SunQuest
SunVision
SunMaster (except a few commercial beds)
Alpha Sun
Sunstar
Supreme
Star Power
ESB
SunSplash
Sunal
Alisun
Private Sun
Dr. Kern
Beauty Pro Wolff
Guardasun
Emosol
Soleil
or the lamp is clearly marked "F71", then you have an F71 lamp. That is all you
need to know to buy lamps! Well, almost. You can go to Step Two.
If you have a Montego Bay tanning bed with a PLASTIC outer shell, you have F71 lamps.
If your tanning lamps have two metal pins on the end (similar to 4 foot fluorescent lamps
and the picture above), then you have F71 lamps.
If your tanning bed does NOT have metal pins, but instead has a plastic cap on the ends of
the lamps (shown above), then you have either F73 or F72 lamps (F72 lamps are pretty
rare). You should be able to see this on the lamps.
Now, 98% of you will know exactly what size lamp you will need. So next we figure
out which lamp is best for YOU.
Step Two
Let us be direct about this: About half of you want the least expensive lamp you
can get that is still good quality. If this is you, you can just jump over and buy lamps now. At least look at the
Tanning Bed Rebuild Kit as well, since over half of our customers buy this for good
reason.
Ok, for the rest of you who want to learn a little more before selecting a lamp, you
have to ask yourself something: What is most important: How fast you tan, or
how dark you get?
Most people say "both" (we want it all, don't we?) so they choose a 5% UVB
lamp. This is what most tanning beds come with as standard equipment, and it is a
really good compromise. If you like your 20 minute tanning as it is, just want new
lamps and better general performance, the 5% lamps are the best bet. This would
include the SunMaster Custom Bronzer, and all the tanning lamp kits we sell with face tanning added. Because
we make SunMaster beds, we can offer you the SunMaster lamps for less.
If you are one of those who prefers 30 minute tanning sessions, is a little more
patient about building a base tan, and your goal is to get the DARKEST tan possible even
if it takes a little longer, then you should look at lower UVB (higher UVA) lamps.
Some great examples are the Morning Sun 2.6% lamps
and the ERS Sol Soft lamps. You build your base tan
slower (4 weeks versus 3) but within 8 weeks you will be much darker because it has more
UVA.
If you are not concerned about getting the darkest tan, but you want a good tan, SUPER
FAST, the 6.5% or higher lamps are for you. They are designed to get you a base tan
faster, and for 15 to 20 minute sessions. They stimulate your skin quicker with more
UVB (which gives them lower UVA). Your best value for 6.5% lamps would be a Custom Plus from SunMaster. It is a proven blend of
phosphors, and it is very affordable.
Some people go as high as the 7.5% or 8.5% lamps, but we don't recommend them for
inexperienced tanners! They are so strong in the UVB, you can burn easily if you are
not careful. They are for 10 minute tanning beds. Light
Sources have some excellent choices for these higher UVB lamps.
As a rule: The higher the UVB, the faster you tan, but the less deep you tan.
The lower the UVB, the slower you tan, but the deeper (darker) you end up in the
long run.
Before you decide, we have a few more affordable options for you. Want to add
face tanning? Now you can, and you don't have to change any wiring or anything!
How cool is that? Select one of the kits that offer
face tanning and just install like regular lamps. The technology is inside the
lamp. You begin by picking a kit group that has the same number of lamps as your
tanning bed.
Having trouble tanning your legs? Convert it to a leg
tanning machine! No wiring or extra hardware needed. Just like the face
tanning lamps, you install them like regular lamps, but you put the PINK section over your
legs for up to 20% more UVB over your legs and a faster tan.
Step Three
Buy a tanning bed rebuild kit. Yes, we are pretty
direct about this, but it is a fact that if you use it, you will see 20% to 40% higher
output from your tanning bed. It has acrylic cleaner and eyewear included, which you
already need, and Novus products that will recondition your acrylics. It is under
$30 and it is much easier to use if you do it at the same time you change your lamps.
It will only take about 30 minutes. There is enough product in the kit to
last you 5 years, and the kit costs less than buying all the seperate products. We
even include a handy guide to help you use it. It is easy, we promise. We have
sold thousands of these kits over the years, and have heard only praise about the results.
Conclusion
Well, nothing fancy here, we just hope this page helped you figure out what size lamps
you need, and what lamps you want to buy. Still have questions? Call us at
1-800-274-1744 or email us by clicking the link below. We want to thank you for
buying your lamps from TanningLamps4Less.com, and look forward to serving you in the
future!
