I visitor wrote and asked me:
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I am looking for a wiring diagram for my tanning bed. I am having a few
problems getting the top lamps to work. Can you tell me where to go or who to contact.
I have a Wolff system Bellarium S Pro BF 280
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Now, first of all, it is much easier for me to email you back if you actually GIVE me your email address ;) So, I will answer it here, as it is a common question anyway.

First, virtually every tanning bed made since around 1984 has a manufacturer’s label on the back, usually white or silver. This has the serial number, the year made, the model and the serial numbers. Often it has the phone number for the manufacturer also. You need this information to get an owners manual.

Often, it is difficult to get an owners manual for older beds unless you can find a dealer that used to sell them, and will make you a copy. Many manufacturers are out of business, so they are no help. You might have to search around, or you can email me and I will try to help you (be sure to include your phone and email address…)

Most manuals are small anyway, and should cost you less than $20 including shipping. Most of the information you need is probably on the bed anyway, such as lamp type. Look at all the text with the exposure schedule, on the front of the bed for the lamp information. All beds since 1985 must have this posted where it is easily viewable from the front of the bed.

As far as wiring diagrams, most older beds either use one of two basic systems: choke or electronic/magnetic. The wiring is very different for these types of beds, but neither is that difficult to chase down. You can tell if your bed has choke style, as it will also use S11 or S12 starters. Electronic (or magnetic) beds don’t require this, and their wiring is very much simpler. If you have an electronic bed but can’t find the ballasts for them (common with SunTana 2400E, TansYou, and many other beds that use “computer card” looking ballasts) it is possible to retrofit them with something more modern, like a Triad ballast, but you will have to do a little splicing.

If the problem is in the switching, this is usually the same on all beds, and is pretty simple: either the bed uses a contactor/relay, or uses the timer to carry the full load. On older beds with 24 or more lamps, you almost always have a relay. The timer is used soley to power the coil on the relay, which activates it. You can also retrofit any contactor that will carry the load if you can’t get the exact part. You just have to make sure the load is adequate, and the coil is the same voltage. The coil is usually 120v if your bed is 4 wire/240v or 120v, or a 230v coil if your bed is 3 wire 240v. Some that have internal transformers for remote timers will use a 12V coil, but most older beds don’t use this.

Tanning beds are not as complicated as they may first look. Yes, there are lots of wires and such, but remember that they are basically light fixtures you lay on, and most of the wiring is simply to power the ends of the lamps. Unless your bed has a power lift, or some more complicated features, just about any handy person can do basics on them if they have a general understanding of electronics and electicity. Oh, and remember, they have high voltages inside that can hurt or kill you, so don’t go exploring around unless you really know what you are doing with electricity. Call an electrician or technician instead.

Hope this helps!