Richard D
Well-known member
T8 4 foot bulbs are $56 for a 30 pack. Eight footers are $15 a pair. Also, the fixtures are $15 vs $40. I realize the 8' will put out more light than two 4', but the low cost would allow me to have more 4' lights.
4' vs 8' Flourescent - Best Bang for the Buck
- Thread starter Richard D
- Start date
Steevo
Well-known member
Most 8 foot T8 fixtures now use four 4' bulbs, rather than two 8' bulbs. For $40 you install one fixture, wire one fixture, and use four cheap bulbs.
More light for the buck all around that way.
More light for the buck all around that way.
The above are junk in my opinion. (take this with a grain of salt).... If you can pony up to T5 lighting instead..... I'm pretty sure you will be messaging me to say thank you when you do.
I recommend T5 to everyone. Its stunning to see the difference in Lumen output. I work in the electrical industry and have persuaded clients to go from T8's or High Bay lighting to T5..... people cannot beleive the improvement in lighting!
I recommend T5 to everyone. Its stunning to see the difference in Lumen output. I work in the electrical industry and have persuaded clients to go from T8's or High Bay lighting to T5..... people cannot beleive the improvement in lighting!
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Do not waste your time with 8 ft bulbs. They are difficult to handle, install, store and dispose of. Much more likely to get broken, and the cost is way too much.
Charles
Charles
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
T5 or T5HO? Big difference...T5 is just burning money in a pile for nothing as they cost 2x more then T8's yet only provide a hair more light. T5HO provides alot of light at alot of cost.
IMO, T5HO's are cool, and awesomely bright, but at this point in time, you cant beat good ol T8's when factoring in Price/Light or like you said, bang for the buck. Plus you can choose from a multitude of bulbs in varying colors, etc... T5HO's arent there yet.
If you got money sitting around getting moldy, by all means go T5HO..
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
LOL, same here.
Bang for the buck wise...I think the 8' T8 Fixtures which consist of 4 - 4' Bulbs are the way to go. Thats what I'll use when I get the permanent lighting installed.
djjsr
Well-known member
I agree with the 4 footers. I've been getting a box of 20 for about $16 when they're on sale at Menards.
rsanter
Well-known member
That is what I used to think. In my case the T5HO path costed less per lumen than purchasing equivalent lumens with T8s.
creativecars
Well-known member
Someone not too long ago posted a link to a youtube video where a guy was doing some in garage test. Bottom line was go with the T8/ 4000 bulbs and spend the extra on fixtures with electronic ballast. Well worth it, no hum, flicker ect...
mdkingsley
Well-known member
Good info, I am looking at the 4 bulb 8 foot T-8 fixtures for my shop right now and plan to start purchasing them soon. All the research I have done shows they seem to be the best bang for the buck. The counter guy at the supply house said they have been replacing a lot of existing fixtures with these in local industry for the last couple of years.
djjsr
Well-known member
Just a word of caution for you guys shopping for new fixtures. Stick with good brand ballasts. I installed a few new fixtures, had one ballast quit after about 2 weeks and another after a few months. The cost of a decent replacement ballast is around $25 around here.
Sylvania/Osram seems to be pretty dependable.
The ones that went bad were "American ballast".
Sylvania/Osram seems to be pretty dependable.
The ones that went bad were "American ballast".
dave67fd
Well-known member
I went with the 8/4 T8's from Contractor Lighting.
http://www.contractorlighting.com/8ft-lamp-watt-fluorescent-double-channel-strip-120277-p-176.html
http://www.contractorlighting.com/8ft-lamp-watt-fluorescent-double-channel-strip-120277-p-176.html
flint_knapper
Member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2012
- Messages
- 8
I'm also going the 4/8 T8 bulb light fixtures.
How are the "daylight" rated bulbs doing for anyone?
How are the "daylight" rated bulbs doing for anyone?
djjsr
Well-known member
I got one from Lowes with a Sylvania ballast. It's an 8 footer that takes four 4' bulbs. Sorry I don't remember the name of the manufacturer of the fixture.
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Since Day 1 I've only bought Daylight bulbs...they are my personal favorite...love em.
As far as the big box offerings of ballasts & lights...if you look closely, you should find 2 versions...cheaper with **** ballasts, and better with "commercial" ballasts..
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Thanks for that link. The ballasts are electronic and rated for 120/277v. Can they be wired with 2 switches?
I love them. At my old house, I had 4 T8 quads with them in my 2-car garage. The light color gives a better representation of what things "actually" look like. No orange/yellow tinge.
pattenp
Well-known member
The T8 4 tube 8' fixtures that I've seen only have one ballast and can be operated only by one switch. If you want more flexibility on the switching you should use the 2 tube 4' fixtures. I'm not saying that there are not 4 tube 8' fixtures that can be split up on two switches, but just not for $50 or less price.
pattenp
Well-known member
Originally Posted by Richard D
I'm guessing bulbs should be replaced as soon as the ends get dark to avoid damage to the balasts?
News to me.
I'm guessing bulbs should be replaced as soon as the ends get dark to avoid damage to the balasts?
News to me.
Falcon67
Well-known member
I have 13 of the HD 8' 4 bulb fixtures. $40/each. Been in service a year, no issues. I prefer 6500K bulbs because I like BRIGHT. 
myamoto1
Well-known member
+1 on the daylight bulbs. I've had them installed for 2 years w/ no issues. I have yet to replace a single one. I bought them along with 4 of the the 8' 4 bulb fixtures from HD or Lowes. I think I paid around $80 per fixture. The garage isn't insulated and I've never had an issue with the lights. Of course if it's in the 30's it's really cold for us (past few days into the 20's), but still no issues with the lights coming to full bright in short order.
I'll also throw my hat in the 4 bulb/8' fixture voting ring. I bought the $40 fixtures at Menard's and they have been fine for me. The only problem I found was radio interference. I simply moved the radio to the other side of the garage.
I think the biggest issue somebody might have with 8 foot lamps (bulbs) is hauling them home. It might seem like a simple but it could be hard for those without a truck. I'd rather not be hauling them inside my car when they decide to bang and pop.
I think the biggest issue somebody might have with 8 foot lamps (bulbs) is hauling them home. It might seem like a simple but it could be hard for those without a truck. I'd rather not be hauling them inside my car when they decide to bang and pop.
I've had two of the old 8 foot bulbs fall out of the fixture!The little retension thing on the end got warm and melted the plastic housing allowing it to slip out and drop.Once it fell right on my Buick T-Type and shattered,once it landed on a folded back tarp and didnt break.I saw the one land on the tarp.I just happened to look over and see it falling,I couldnt believe it.
Thanks for all the info guys ,I'll be buying some new fixtures soon too.
Thanks for all the info guys ,I'll be buying some new fixtures soon too.
i'd add that the choice between 8' 4 bulb vs 2 bulb 4' fixtures also depends on the space you're lighting. its definitely more hassle to wire twice as many fixtures, but the ability to space the bulbs out more evenly had me go with the 4' fixtures. i've got 6 in the attached garage that have been going for a couple of years, no issues. these are the $20 (or was it $17) fixtures from HD or Lowes. I've since bought 40 additional and am hanging them in the shop now. 16 up, 14 to go for the 'basic' lighting. i'll use the remaining 10 as task lighting where needed. while it is a one-time thing, its also much easier to handle the 4' fixtures by yourself..
2x on the 6500K bulbs as well - they are more expensive (HD sells 30 packs of them for $75 - UPC 046677422950), but WOW are they bright. the much cooler (more blue, less orange) SEEMS brighter than the typical 4K bulbs. it isn't, but as they say, perception is reality
ahm
2x on the 6500K bulbs as well - they are more expensive (HD sells 30 packs of them for $75 - UPC 046677422950), but WOW are they bright. the much cooler (more blue, less orange) SEEMS brighter than the typical 4K bulbs. it isn't, but as they say, perception is reality
ahm
jaker10
Well-known member
I put up 25 twin tube T8 4 ft. with reflector from Walmart. $12.00 each. They have electronic ballist and so far so good have lit down to 10 degree's. Have 3 year warrenty. I'm very happy. Paid $116.00 for 2 cases of bulbs, that included the tax. Box says they will light down to -20 degree's, I guess I'm gonna find out.
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Unearthed
Well-known member
I had daylight bulbs in some T12 8 foot and some 4 foot fixtures. Used them for years. Then I started switching over to T8's, and tried the daylights. Hated them. Way too much of a blue hue. Tried some GE sunshine 5K and will never use anything else.
Kevin C
Well-known member
A 4' T5HO fixture looks to cost about $117.
http://www.google.com/shopping/product/17065084336246068622?q=t5ho&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADRA_enUS358US358&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.cGE&bpcl=40096503&biw=1536&bih=798&wrapid=tlif135741190490210&sa=X&ei=L3boUMrlJ-vDiwKrmYG4Dg&ved=0CHwQ8wIwAQ
T5HO bulbs are about $12 each.
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/918463483592948237?q=t5ho%20bulbs&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1DVCC_enUS362US365&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.cGE&bpcl=40096503&biw=1920&bih=1075&sa=X&ei=53boULPGGMzkigKppYFA&ved=0CIQBEPMCMAI
Total cost for one fixture $165. At 54 watts per bulb the rated lumens is 5000 (again per bulb) for a total of 20,000 lumens.
Lumens per dollar: 20,000 / 165 = 121
For my Home depot low cost T8 fixtures I paid $24 for a two bulb 4' fixture.
A ten pack is $24 or $2.4 per bulb. The output is 2800 lumens per bulb.
Total fixture cost is 24+4.8= $24.8. Total Lumens is 5600
Lumens per dollar = 5600 / 28.8 = 194.
Based on my quick web search a T5 is about 38% more expensive per lumen. A T5 bulb is about 10% more efficient so you will save some electricity costs.
At 20,000 lumens at 8 hours per day , 11 cents per KWH the T5 will save you about $1.80 per year. The electricity savings never makes up for the increased bulb and fixture costs.
rburke65
Well-known member
I just finished installing the 6500k lamps......I like "em!