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Flourescent Fixtures

RS23VOA

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Guys,
What fixtures would you recommend for a shop? I'd like to use the T5 bulbs but i have no fixtures. This is new construction. The ones at Lowes don't have a very good rating and i'd don't want to be replacing ballasts after a year or two. Need something that will perform down the Zero degrees, which i think most say they will. Thanks.
 
I put F32 t8 in my "den".

They were a cost effective fixture and relatively energy efficient bulb.
Better than 40 t12 anyway, and you don't really notice a difference in output.

Not really "shop' rated, but they've been in there with moderate use for about 5 years, and haven't lost a ballast, and only one bulb.

I think the dual bulb fixtures were $20 each and came with a wrap style diffuser/guard.

I used Alto spec 35 bulbs, moderately pricey, but I like the color temp, and the quality.
 
I heard the T12's are out the door and very soon you won't be able to even buy the bulbs. Any truth to that? I'm thinking about the same thing as RV23VOA.
 
I had heard something like that while picking a couple case`s of bulbs :eusa_think:
 
T12's went the way of the dodo in July. So, what's on on your store shelves now is all their getting.

T8's go out in 2014.
 
t12 fixtures are not being made any more.:protest: political,hippy,BS. i have 3-8 foot t12 highoutput or ho's thay put a brighter more even light. now all t5's are ho's the 8 foot strips use 4-4 foot lamps insteed of 2-8 foot lamps. the t5's cost more but in the future you will not be able to get t12's or even t8's.
 
In my garage I installed 7 8 ft double t5 light fixtures.MAN IT"S BRIGHT in there!!!IMO.1 double 4 ft is better than an old Double 8 ft florecent!!
 

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I have nine 8ft T8 fixtures in my 40x60 and it lights it up extremely nice. The lights have been in for nearly two years and haven't lost any ballasts or bulbs (except on I broke, lol).

100_3302.jpg
 
I have t8,s also ,they work really good ,dosent matter what the weather conditions are.
 
Wow, the T12 phase-out totally got past me. On my way to Ace and Lowe's right now to buy up their stock since my whole garage is lit with T12 4-footers. :angry1:
 
Thanks for the input guys. What type FIXTURES do you recommend? Love the shop pictures. Very cool!
 
as a general contractor, i can tell you the Homedepot t8 are great just be sure to install the plastic tubes over the bulbs, this will meet fl code
 
I just finished building a 30X50 shop next to my house. Still a mess because I haven't started organizing, but I had the guy put up five 6-tube T8 fixtures that I got from Home Depot. More light is always good and these do a nice job of lighting up the shop.

bldg4.jpg
 
I researched this when I built my shop a few years ago. I decided to use the T5HO Six bulb fixtures.
With the electronic ballasts they fire right up even at 10 above.

I bought them from www.e-conolight.com and at the time they were around $100 ea with free shipping. I have 12' ceilings and it's like daylight in there. In the Three years since I've installed them, no bulbs have needed replacement.


My Friends shop is 80 X 100' with 16' ceilings and is extremely well lit and also no problems.


Good luck!DSC02682.JPG
 
t12 fixtures are not being made any more.:protest: political,hippy,BS. i have 3-8 foot t12 highoutput or ho's thay put a brighter more even light. now all t5's are ho's the 8 foot strips use 4-4 foot lamps insteed of 2-8 foot lamps. the t5's cost more but in the future you will not be able to get t12's or even t8's.

It appears that T-12s are phased out for institutional/industrial applications. Tubes and ballasts marked for residential use will still be manufactured and sold. So we can still keep calm and carry on after all. :)
 
As an electrician, I have lit garages before. T12s are dead. T8's and T5's are the next generation. LED will be next, but not for a few years. T8's and T5's have a much better output in cold climes than the old T12's. FYI the 12, 8 and 5 refer to 1/8 of an inch in diameter. T12 is 12, 1/8's=1-1/2 inch, T8 is 8, 1/8" = 1 inch, and T5 is 5, 1/8" = 5/8". The newer T8's and below have much better cold-start properties. I don't care much for the stuff sold by Home Depot and the rest, as the ballasts seem to fail quickly. I have had the best results from Ruud Lighting. http://www.ruudlightingdirect.com/l...p-linear-fluorescent-high-bay/h1a2x54-u4.html A middle-of-the-road product with a good selection. A big plus is to select one with a "mirrored" reflector to maximize the directed light. These still have some cut-outs to direct light to the ceiling, but most is magnified downward. Lamp choice is also important. Never "warm white" for task oriented areas. A "Cool White" will give a much sharper definition to your work. In the case of a two-car garage, two of these 8-footers would blow your mind, and not draw as much current a two 100 watt incandescent bulbs.
 
Use t8s and use 4 four. Footers the new electronic ballasts are the way to go save on your electric bill you could even put sensors so when your in an certain spot they will go on. When yo walk up
 
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