Seasonal Affective Disorder - Build Your Own Light Box

Many people have asked about building a light box for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

If I were to build one this is how I would do it. Your method may be different.
Notice: If you came here only looking for the Vita-Lite lamp,
the most effective full spectrum light source to use for SAD.
These lamps may be purchased here. Vita-Lite Lamps

Please make sure you understand these instructions. If you do not understand them, find someone
who is qualified and willing help you.

Step 1.
A light box is nothing more than a fluorescent light fixture. This light fixture can be purchased at any electrical supply house. If you tell the counter person that you are looking for a "Standard 4 Lamp 2' x 4' Troffer 120v" they should know exactly what you are looking for.

Now before choosing the troffer it is important to know which type of fluorescent lamps you will be using. Because this will determine what type of ballast needs to be in your fixture. The following lamps are available for a 2' x 4' troffer.

F40T12 Vita-Lite (Magnetic Ballast) Four lamps of this type will produce 8,720 lumens per fixture.
F40T10 Vita-Lite (Magnetic Ballast) Four lamps of this type will produce 11,000 lumens per fixture.
F32T8 Vita-Lite (Electronic Ballast) Four lamps of this type will produce 9,600 lumens per fixture.

(you can click on the above lamp descriptions to purchase these lamps)

This fixture will look very similar to this:

This type of fixture is often used in offices that have 2' x 4' grid ceilings. You may even be able to get a used troffer free of charge if you know of a place that is replacing their fixtures. However, new fixtures are always better. With used fixtures the ballast (transformer) may be old and may not last very long. Additionally, things like brittle lamp sockets or a cracked lens may cause you more problems than you bargained for.

Step 2.
Wire up the fixture so that you can plug it into a wall receptacle. If you don't know how to do this get a qualified person to do it. Never put bulbs in or replace bulbs while the fixture is plugged in because you will damage the fluorescent lamps and could possibly get shocked.

I recommend that you purchase 6 fluorescent bulbs even though your fixture will only hold 4. This way you will have spare bulbs when you need them and not have to wait for another delivery.

The most effective full spectrum light source to use for SAD is the Vita-Lite Lamp by Duro-Test. These lamps may be purchased here. Vita-Lite Lamps