By Dr. Lawrence Wilson
WARNINGS: Converting a sauna may require electrical changes that can easily cause fires and shocks and should only be done by a licensed electrician or someone else knowledgeable in contracting or construction.
Infared heat lamps give off a lot of heat and can easily burn the skin or start fires. Be sure infrared lights have a guard over them and are at least 8Ó from any flammable surface. Also, do not expose them to moisture, although they are designed for bathroom use.
We cannot be responsible for your conversion of your sauna unit. Use the utmost care with your sauna, as you would with any electrical and heat source.
Converting a traditional or far infrared sauna to a near infrared light sauna is often not difficult. The most important consideration is to make sure you can sit about two feet from the infrared lights. Also, you will need access to about 8 amps, 110 volts of power for three infrared heat lamps.
Two basic situations exist: 1) Your existing sauna is greater than about 48Ó on one side, or 2) your sauna is smaller on both sides.
If the sauna is greater than about 48Ó on one side here is the procedure:
STEP 1. THE BENCH. You will need to rotate 360 degrees or close to it, in the near infrared light sauna to expose all sides of the body to the infrared light. Most traditional and far infrared saunas have the bench or benches on one wall, making complete rotation difficult.
The best arrangement for the light sauna is to have a small bench or rotating stool in the middle of the sauna, to make it easy to rotate. If there is room in your sauna for a small bench and room for your legs to rotate, you can move to step 2.
If the sauna is too small for this option, you may want to remove your existing bench to allow room for a small stool or bench in the middle of the sauna.
Otherwise, you can leave your present bench, but you will not be able to rotate as easily with this arrangement.
STEP 2. THE HEAT
LAMPS. Build or purchase an electrical unit that contains three or
four red infrared heat lamps. Such
a unit is described in Appendix D of the book, Sauna Therapy,
and a wiring diagram is available by clicking on Free
Sauna Plans.
At this time, we also offer a
three-lamp unit, all wired and assembled, ready for mounting, for $249.00
including shipping in the continental United States. To obtain this electrical unit, call (928) 776-8288.
Mount the electrical unit containing the lamps on one of the walls of your sauna in such a way that you can sit about two feet from the lamps and that you can rotate your body so that the light will strike all sides of the body.
Mount the lamp unit about three feet off the ground, so that you can sit in front of the unit and the lamps will shine on your chest and abdomen.
Run the electrical cord from the unit out a vent of the sauna so it can be plugged into a 110-volt outlet.
STEP 3. THE EXISTING HEATER(S). If your sauna is larger than about 4Õ by 4Õ, you will need to use the existing heater(s) to heat up the sauna, as the infrared lights alone will not be adequate. If your sauna is less than about 4Õ by 4Õ, you may remove your existing heater if you wish, as the lights should be adequate to heat the sauna.
IF YOUR SAUNA IS LESS THAN ABOUT 48Ó
ON A SIDE.
If you are very short, you may still be able to mount an electrical unit on one wall, providing the sauna is almost 48Ó long on one side.
If
you are larger, over 5Õ5Ó, for instance, you will have trouble converting a
very small sauna by the method described above. Here are four options:
1.
You can recess the infrared lights into one wall. This is a lot
more work because it involves cutting a large opening in one wall of your sauna
and placing the light unit described above in such a way that the lights shine
into the sauna. You must use an
electrician or carpenter or someone skilled in sauna modification for this type
of installation. Be very
careful about exposing any flammable material such as wood or fabric near the
lights.
Remember
that you need to be able to sit about two feet from the lights, which are large
bulbs that stick out about 10-12 inches from their base.
2.
A much simpler option. Depending on your sauna, you may be able
to leave the sauna door open and sit partially outside the sauna so that you
are far enough away from the lamps.
You would then need to set up a heavy curtain that seals the entryway to
keep in the heat.
3.
Building Out Your Sauna. Another idea would be to "build
on" to the end of the sauna where the door is to make the sauna about
48" long.
If
none of these options work, you can buy an inexpensive near infrared sauna from
us that assembles easily and works well.
Click Here To
Learn About This Sauna.
CONVERTING A STEAM CABINET TO A
SAUNA
Converting
a steam cabinet to a lamp sauna or adding lamps to a steam cabinet is difficult
because the cabinets are usually too small to allow one to sit about two feet
from the lamps. Also, it is
difficult to turn around in the cabinet.
WARNINGS FOR ALL CONVERSIONS
á
Do not mount lamps on the ceiling or use
ceiling-mounted infared heat lamps.
Too much infrared to the head is dangerous.
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Also, we do not recommend lamps in the corners of
a sauna as they may be too close to the flammable walls. The lamps must be at
least 8Ó from any flammable material.
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You must have a wire-mesh guard over the near
infared heat lamps for safety.
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Do not allow any water or sweat or towels or
other clothing to touch the lamps at any time.
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We cannot be responsible for your sauna conversion. Please use utmost care and caution as
with any device that uses high voltage and amperage and high heat.
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