Do I Need Tanning Lamp Starters?

Many customers ask us the same thing: “Do I need starters for my tanning bed?”
The short answer is — only if your bed runs on 220–250 volt power with magnetic ballasts.

Almost all 110–120 volt home beds don’t use starters at all. A tanning lamp starter is a small timed switch that first heats the filaments at both ends of the lamp, then creates a high-voltage surge that ignites the gas inside the tube. Once the lamp is glowing, the starter stays out of the way.

You may know if your 220-250v bed or booth uses starters by reviewing it's user manual or by looking for one small round cylinder plugged in right next to or underneath each lamp. Here’s what tanning lamps starters look like:

Pro tip: Always replace all your starters every time you change your lamps. A bad starter can cause flickering or shorten your expensive lamp life and they're also inexpensive and easy to swap .

Need the right starters for your tanning bed or booth? 

Most of the tanning lamps listed on our website have an option on the product page to add the correct starters that work with the lamp. When your order lamps you can add the number of starters you need by selecting the Lamp Starters option and then clicking the number you wish to order (normally 1 for each lamp). 

You may also shop our selection of starters below sorted by lamp wattage.

If you need starters just determine your lamp wattage and then select 1 starter for each lamp. If you need any assistance you can always reach out to us for help determining if you need starters and the correct starters for your lamps. 

4w to 22w Tanning Lamps - Philips S2 Starter

4w to 65w Tanning Lamps - Philips S10 Starter

25w to 100w Tanning Lamps - Philips Body Tone S12 Starter

120w-180w Tanning lamps - Philips Body Tone S16 Starter

80w-225w Tanning Lamps - Light Sources Starter 230-240n 50/60 Hz (May be used to replace starters across the entire wattage range)

400w Facial Lamps - Facial Lamp Ignitor 400w 200-230v 50/60 Hz HZFT