T-8 flourescents

could be ballast

bill tindall, E. TN

>cheap lights have not so durable ballasts. I found that the problem you describe became not a problem when I replaced ballasts with commercial grade ballasts. I haven't wiggled a lamp since.

similar experience

Dave Brown

>I've gone through two or three fluorescent fixtures in the past few years. The first one was really cheap. The second one was a nicer stainless fixture. The latest is a "commercial" fixture that cost $40. All of them have lasted about a year before the ballast or whatever died -- replacing the bulbs didn't help. I'm getting really tired of buying fluorescent fixtures when they should last a really really long time.

Re: could be ballast

Dave Brown

>Where can I find commercial grade ballasts?

Granger's see pg 690 or call...

vlparisian in damp but warm Houston

>

Ballasts

Jack Guzman from Maine

>That really sounds like a possibilty.I'm going to shop for some better quality ballasts. Thanks.---Jack

any large lighting/electrical store

bill tindall, E. TN

>

The truth about ballasts

Patrick Gibbons, Houston, TX

>I sell bulbs and ballasts and I can tell you that fixtures are not your problem. The average commercial ballast lasts about six years but starts going out of spec in only about two. Fixtures are the cheapest part usually for the entire equation. It's the ballast and bulbs that matter the most and contribute the cost. No need to throw away your fixture when things go wrong. Just replace the ballast. On a side note, I wouldn't fool around with T8's. T12's put out much more light. You can use both bulbs in the same fixture BUT ONLY IF YOU REPLACE THE T8 BALLAST WITH A T12 BALLAST. If your T8 fixture has gone out, upgrade to the T12 ballast and bulbs and enjoy the extra light.

Clarification

Patrick Gibbons, Houston, TX

>I said above that you can use T8s and T12s in the same fixture if you replace the ballast. You cannot mix bulbs. You must use only the bulbs that match your ballast. The fixture is built so that it can be used for either. That was my point. Once again, you cannot mix different sizes of bulbs.

disagree with your recommendation

bill tindall, E. TN

>If you sell these things then you should know that T12 is an obsolete size that will be phased out by government mandate. Sometime in the future one will not be able to buy T12 lamps. Before then they will become expensive when most of the country is using T8. The date may already be passed where T12 fixtures can not be sold, or if not, it is soon upon us. (all this according to GE lighting engineer) Furthermore, T8's are available that have equivalent light output as T12. I know because I just lost this argument at the lighting store. I made the same claim and was shown specifications from lamp manufacturer showing lumens output of these lamps.

Given this situation any new installation of fixture or ballast should be T8 and electronic ballast.

There is also a discussion on the other side that is incorrect. T8 and T12 lamp holders are equivalent. Only the ballast and ballast wiring is different. Hence it is trivial to switch from a T12 to a T8 installation if the ballast is to be changed. Nothing else in the fixture needs to be changed.

Switching....

Paul Kierstead

>In fact, just 2 days ago I rewired my kitchen 4 lamp 4' fixture from T12 to T8. It is every bit as bright, doesn't buzz, takes less energy and comes on instantly. The ballasts are also lighter and easier to install. What a difference.

Physically there was no problem. Electrically, both pins on the end of a T8 go to the same wire instead of different wires, so if you convert you have to tie the pins together on a T12. The conversion didn't take long. I can't imagine choosing T12 for a new installation.

T8 / T12

Dave Brown

>I think I know what I did -- I've been putting T8 bulbs in T12 fixtures.

Doh!