Owning a residential tanning bed offers the convenience of achieving a sun-kissed glow without salon visits. However, with this convenience comes the responsibility of maintaining the equipment. Like all technology, home tanning beds can experience issues. This guide provides troubleshooting steps for common problems, potentially saving you a service call.
**Bed Won’t Start/Turn On**
Four potential causes exist if your tanning bed refuses to power up:
1. **No Power Supply:** Begin by verifying that the bed is properly plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Check the outlet with another device to confirm it’s functioning.
2. **Faulty Relay:** A malfunctioning relay prevents power from reaching the lamps. Replacement is typically the only solution for a bad relay. Contact a qualified technician for assistance.
3. **Loose Relay Wiring:** Inspect the wiring connections at the relay. Tighten any loose connections securely.
4. **Loose Timer Wiring:** Similarly, check the wiring at the dial timer for any loose connections. Tighten as needed.
**Lamps Don’t Light**
If the bed powers on, but the lamps fail to illuminate, consider these possibilities:
1. **Burnt Out Lamps:** Lamps have a limited lifespan. Replace any lamps that have reached their end of life.
2. **Ballast Issues:** The ballast regulates the voltage to the lamps. A failing ballast will prevent lamps from lighting and needs replacement. A qualified technician is recommended.
3. **Faulty Lamp Holder:** Examine the lamp holders for damage or corrosion. Replace any faulty lamp holders.
4. **Starter Problems:** The starter assists in initiating the lamp. Replace the starter.
5. **Loose Wiring:** Inspect the wiring at the ballast, lamp holders, and terminal connections. Tighten any loose wires.
**Bench Lamps Not Lighting**
If only the bench lamps are affected, check the following:
1. **Bench Connection:** Ensure the bench is securely plugged into the canopy unit.
2. **Loose Connector Wiring:** Check the wiring within the connector between the bench and the canopy for looseness. Tighten if necessary.
3. **Burnt Wiring:** If the wiring in the connector appears burnt, use appropriate electrical tools to strip the wire and replace the connector.
**Fans Work, But Lamps Don’t**
When the fans operate correctly, but the lamps remain dark, focus on these areas:
1. **Relay Malfunction:** As mentioned earlier, a faulty relay can prevent the lamps from receiving power. Replace if necessary.
2. **Wiring Issues:** Check the wiring at the terminal block and the relay for loose connections. Tighten any loose wires.
**When to Call a Technician**
While this guide offers solutions for common issues, complex problems are best handled by a qualified tanning bed technician. Contact your tanning bed supplier’s technician for assistance with more intricate repairs.