retro fitting 8' T12 fluorescent light fixtures

[newbury]

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Am going to try T5's soon too, as I ended up with a couple new units from an auction. Amazingly thin bulbs, aren't they?

Careful with the T5's - HD had a "good" price on their HO 2 bulb unit. I bought one to replace a unit in my basement. It's hanging about 7' off the floor. I've a two bulb T8 unit a few feet away. The T5 unit is almost TOO bright. That's why I plan on only using them with high ceilings or areas where I need intense light.

 

[cj7]

You can buy 8' single pin t-8 lamps and a ballast and just replace the ballast and lamp. Both T-8 and T12 - 8' single pin lamps use the same lamp holder. This is true for T-12 HO and T-8 HO lamps also.

Yes some T-8's are being phased out but those are higher wattage units. There are 28 w T-8 lamps that will be around for years just like how it used to be with the 34 w T-12 replacing the 40 w T-12.


LED's have their place. The LED lamps themselves do not produce much heat but the driver does! That is why you see all those fancy cooling fins on screw in LED lamps. All LED's must use a driver.

Be careful. Every lamp has a rated lifespan. Think about how many hours a year do you actually use the lamps?
Think about the operating characteristics.

As other have pointed out Lumen output is different.

Look to your power company for a rebate!

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Careful with the T5's - HD had a "good" price on their HO 2 bulb unit. I bought one to replace a unit in my basement. It's hanging about 7' off the floor. I've a two bulb T8 unit a few feet away. The T5 unit is almost TOO bright. That's why I plan on only using them with high ceilings or areas where I need intense light.

Thanks for the tip. Hopefully these will be just right for a loft area in the barn between rows of shelves.