T8 flouresent bulbs

[newbury]

Had I known about the LED tubes at the time, that's what I'd have gone to. But since I didn't know about them, and my T-12s were getting pretty erratic, I had all eight, four foot, two tube fixtures in my shop changed to T-8 tubes and ballasts in Feb. 2014 (yep, almost 2 years ago), then in May, 2014, I had the 3 tube fixture in the kitchen changed from magnetic ballast and T-12 tubes to the electronic ballasts and T-8 tubes.

So far, I've been happy with them. Now if I could just get rid of the two 8' T-12 2 tube fixtures in the garage . . . . .

You can easily get 8' LED tubes to replace them, with or without the ballast. I bought the Hyperikon's Hyperikon T8/T10/T12 LED Light Tube, 8FT, UL-Listed, 36W (75W equivalent), 5000K (Crystal White Glow), Clear Cover, Dual-Ended Power, 3800 Lumens - (Pack of 4) - - Amazon.com about a year ago. There may be less expensive solutions around now.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I have 5 x T-12 fixtures in my shop that are 16' above floor and a big PIA to change failed tubes. I am considering replacing them, as well as another 4 in another building with these.

8 ft. Industrial Retail Flush Mount 4 Light T8 Fixture w/ 4X 24W LED Tubes 96W Total 6500k Equivalent to 256W Fluorescent Fixture 30% Brighter Than 18W LED Bulbs - - Amazon.com

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[ultrarunner]

Maybe they have something besides the standard 110-277V supply voltage. At work I have 277V light fixtures (thousands of them). As the T12's go bad I've been replacing the ballasts with electronic ballasts for T8 tubes. The T8 ballasts run at roughly .33 Amps compared to .60 Amps for T12. I too have to abide by what management says to do when replacing or upgrading lighting. Exit lighting has already been replaced with LED fixtures.
I believe that when most (but not all) people become managers or part of Administration and get that sheepskin to hang on the wall they lose the common sense sheepskin it replaces.

Just finished replacing all the LED Exit Signs circa 1995

State came in and didn't like how dim they had become... it was less expensive just to replace all 52 of them...

 

[wrangler6831]

And to lead this off the OP's original question - if you have to get new ballasts you can swap in new T12/T8 form factor LED's that don't need a ballast.
I've a bunch 8' T12's with failing ballasts that are wired through conduit and it seems easier for me to clip the ballast out and put in new LED tubes with minor rewiring than it is to replace everything.

I just upgraded my 4' ones and will say they are great. Instant on and way brighter than before.

 

[Xfaxman]

Recently saw this made in the USA LED lights company, here on TBN: Titan LED Incorporated

 

[Boondox]

How is that working out for you for brightness? I have 6 fixtures, double two foot T12s cool whites in my workshop with drywalled 8 foot ceilings. I use it but is not like daylight. I looked at Costco double four foot LEDS for $30 but chickened out because of the unknowns.

I was replacing my T-12s in the garage with T-8s, but the hardware store (80 mile round trip) only had two fixtures. I needed 3, so took a chance at one of the 4' LEDs. Holy cow I wish I hadn't installed the T-8s first because I would have taken them back and exchanged them! I will probably get another one and mount it on the wall so I can see while working on the sidecar rig. I really love the light that thing puts out, with no warm up period in cold weather. Minus 16 last weekend and it was bright the moment I flipped the switch

Pete