T-8 Fluorescent Shop Fixture Recommendation

[kbuhagiar]

Hello Folks,

I will be removing all of the T-12 fluorescent fixtures in my garage shortly, as they all seem to be dying at the same time. I will be replacing them with T-8 fixtures.

Can anyone recommend any good-quality T-8 shop fixtures, preferably corded?

Thanks in advance.

 

[trythis]

If you have well made fixtures, just replace the ballasts. The ballasts are what determine fixture quality. It seems that residential grade are better at preventing radio interference. If you happen to have T12 High Output, or T12HO, you have the option of using new T12HO electronic ballasts which will give highly satisfactory results. T12HO will not be phased out with the rest of the T12 stuff.

If you have regular T12, and crappy chintzy T12 fixtures, getting good T8 fixtures will require getting ones with high quality ballasts. What cold temp do you need them to start at, how efficient do you want them? Of course the better they are, the more you pay.

Check out home depots ballasts. They actually sell high end GE ballasts at pretty good prices.

 

[nmanitou]

I used these. Good quality, good price. Don't have any long term experience with them yet, but Lithonia is a respected brand.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xjj/R-202052422/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[rwhite692]

GEB10IS from Lithonia, low THD ballasts. four, 4-ft bulbs per fixture. Get them from your local electrical supply house...not worth any savings you may find online, paying to ship these things.

I haven't seen T8 fixtures that come w/cords, but maybe they are out there?

 

[kbuhagiar]

If you have regular T12, and crappy chintzy T12 fixtures, getting good T8 fixtures will require getting ones with high quality ballasts. What cold temp do you need them to start at, how efficient do you want them? Of course the better they are, the more you pay.
Check out home depots ballasts. They actually sell high end GE ballasts at pretty good prices.

Crappy & chintzy - that's me!

Seriously, they are all around 15 years old and really bargain basement. Not worth replacing the ballasts.

I'm not afraid to spend a little more to make sure I don't have to mess with them for the next few years.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I used these. Good quality, good price. Don't have any long term experience with them yet, but Lithonia is a respected brand.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xjj/R-202052422/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Those look pretty good, and the reviews appear favorable.

Does anyone know if RF interference is an issue with T8's with electronic ballasts?

 

[trythis]

Yes you can get interference if they are not Residential rated ballasts. There is a thread about them here in the lighting area but the conversation about them is deep in it. Dont have time to search, but with Home depot, buy one, plug it in, if you can listen to the radio, you're golden. If you cant, return it and find another.

 

[avc8130]

Whatever you do, buy 4' bulbs. I just bought a new property and the PO installed 8' T8 fixtures. The bulbs are more than twice the cost of the 4' bulbs. They are a PIA to transport from the store and a PIA to move around the house.

I just had a GE ballast burn out on me. The replacement ballast was $40 from Lowes. A new 4 bulb fixture was $40. I contemplated switching but decided changing 1 out of 10 fixtures just wasn't worth the hassle.
ac

 

[GarageEnvy]

I have Lithonia 8' T8 fixtures that take 4' bulbs. It's less wiring. I also have commercial ballasts but no radio interference.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Whatever you do, buy 4' bulbs. I just bought a new property and the PO installed 8' T8 fixtures. The bulbs are more than twice the cost of the 4' bulbs. They are a PIA to transport from the store and a PIA to move around the house.

I already have 4-foot fixtures and see no reason to change.
I agree with the logistics - easier to handle and transport.

 

[snapmom]

Can you use your old T12 bulbs in a T8 fixture?

 

[kbuhagiar]

Can you use your old T12 bulbs in a T8 fixture?

Unfortunately, no.

 

[Pure Oil]

GEB10IS from Lithonia, low THD ballasts. four, 4-ft bulbs per fixture. Get them from your local electrical supply house...not worth any savings you may find online, paying to ship these things.

I haven't seen T8 fixtures that come w/cords, but maybe they are out there?

I did not want to hard wire mine so I bought some power strips and cut the power strips off (kind of a waste) but then stripped and spliced with wire nuts the donor cords to the new lamps - note; my lights are also hung with chain so if I want to lower the lights or raise them I can - just a personal freedom of choice thing even though I have 10 foot sidewalls.

 

[letterman52]

I used these. Good quality, good price. Don't have any long term experience with them yet, but Lithonia is a respected brand.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xjj/R-202052422/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I just bought something similar at Lowe's. Only 12 bucks there and it comes in a nice satin black.

 

[JimmyM]

I've been reading this T-12 T-8 lighting thread I've done some reconstruction work to my garage and wanted to put up some new lighting I bought 6 brand new still in the box Lithonia 8' fixtures at Home Depot a few years ago but haven't used them yet still using my old stuff I was just wondering should I sell them and get the T-8 ones and what would be a fair price for them

 

[electrodude]

I've been reading this T-12 T-8 lighting thread I've done some reconstruction work to my garage and wanted to put up some new lighting I bought 6 brand new still in the box Lithonia 8' fixtures at Home Depot a few years ago but haven't used them yet still using my old stuff I was just wondering should I sell them and get the T-8 ones and what would be a fair price for them

Are they actual 8' bulb fixtures? Most of the newer 8' T8 fixtures I've seen are actual a pair of joined 4' fixtures.

 

[luvair]

I have Mercury T-8's and they are great. http://www.mercltg.com/

 

[IONH]

I have Mercury T-8's and they are great. http://www.mercltg.com/

Which units specifically did you get and how much each?

 

[ambenz]

Whatever you do, buy 4' bulbs. I just bought a new property and the PO installed 8' T8 fixtures. The bulbs are more than twice the cost of the 4' bulbs. They are a PIA to transport from the store and a PIA to move around the house. ...

Great advice!
I am gonna rip out my 8 footers too!
Just lost 2 bulbs after 5 years of service and I'm not paying , or transporting those bulbs in my vert!
Excellent observation and advice!

 

[JimmyM]

Are they actual 8' bulb fixtures? Most of the newer 8' T8 fixtures I've seen are actual a pair of joined 4' fixtures.

yes they are 8' I have a friend that has the exact same ones and they humm like hell, I'd rather not listen to that, so I'd like to get some better ones I have 3 rows of lights with 2 in each row on individual switches to turn them on, I'd like to stick with 2 bulb 8' fixtures, what do you think would be a fair price to sell the ones I have and upgrade to better fixture, I'm not sure if Home Depot still carrys the ones I have

 

[csargents1546]

When I installed my light, the type that are used in office building, I took and made up pigtails with a standard plug on them and then wired and outlet very close to the lights. The cords were less than a foot long. THat also gave me plenty of places in the garage to plug in addional drop lights if I wanted to.

 

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Check out home depots ballasts. They actually sell high end GE ballasts at pretty good prices.

Agreed. I just retrofitted all the T12s in my shop with those GE ballasts (cost $15 each) and they are excellent quality.