Lithonia Comercial Troffers - OK at home?

Hello everyone. I'm looking for a little advice from someone who has experience with troffers. I have the possibility to get some 1x4 troffers at a good price but am unsure of a couple things:

1. I have living space above the garage so need to know what the requirements for insulation near the lights are.
2. Is there any concern of the ballast causing interference with TV/Radio?

Any Thoughts?

Here are the possible model #'s
PARAMAX Parabolic Troffer 1x4'
PM3 G B 2 32 8LS MVOLT OSPSX
PM3 G B 1 32 8LS MVOLT GEB10IS LP735

PARAMAX High-Performance Parabolic Troffer
HPM3 G D 2 32 8LS MVOLT GEB10IS LP735

Specification Premium Static Troffer:
SP8 G 2 32 A12125 MVOLT GEB10IS LP735

We have truly 2,000 of them go into the dumpster here at work that everyone and their brother wanted to take home. Put a big sign next to the pile.. Cauttion these are 220v fixtures do not use at home.

that said if they are 110v there was a threrad earlier about the t-12 bulbs coming to an end. If these have the old bulbs change the ballasts now...

how high is the ceiling? sheetrock? Typical garage in a house with a room over it? something unusual?

Will the fixtures be new or used?

Multi voltage ballasts? 120V only? 277v only?

You do not have 277v in your home, it is derived from a leg of 460v three phase, very common in commercial installs. Code forbids lighting above 120v in a residence (which an attached garage is)

These are made to fit into a drop ceiling, not to be mounted on or hung from a ceiling. The lighting is very indirect to prevent glare and eyestrain, designed for office, and school type installs.

wnstwolf said:

We have truly 2,000 of them go into the dumpster here at work that everyone and their brother wanted to take home. Put a big sign next to the pile.. Cauttion these are 220v fixtures do not use at home.

that said if they are 110v there was a threrad earlier about the t-12 bulbs coming to an end. If these have the old bulbs change the ballasts now...

Click to expand...

Yeah, the MVOLT versions are OK with 110 and 220.

Charles (in GA) said:

how high is the ceiling? sheetrock? Typical garage in a house with a room over it? something unusual?

Will the fixtures be new or used?

Multi voltage ballasts? 120V only? 277v only?

You do not have 277v in your home, it is derived from a leg of 460v three phase, very common in commercial installs. Code forbids lighting above 120v in a residence (which an attached garage is)

These are made to fit into a drop ceiling, not to be mounted on or hung from a ceiling. The lighting is very indirect to prevent glare and eyestrain, designed for office, and school type installs.

Click to expand...

Ceiling is nearly 10 feet. Sheetrock with room above. Nothing special about construction.
Fixtures are New.
Multi voltage ballasts, will work with 120 or 277 (MVOLT).
I know they are generally made to fit in a drop ceiling but I believe they make a kit to mount them on sheetrock/plaster.
Would the indirect light be an issue working in the garage as long as there is enough of it?

I wouldn't use them. Have to frame around them, so if you ever wanted something different it would be a hassle to patch.

To answer your question about Radio and TV interference. . .

I found this statement: In the US, electronic ballasts must comply with Federal Communications Commission Part 18, Subpart C, Class A for industrial and commercial applications, or Class B for residential applications.

So, if you can find out what Part 18, Subpart C of the FCC says, you'll have a good idea what those ballasts are rated for as far as EMI.

I don't think they generate a whole lot of heat but you could always fire Lithonia an email and see what they say. Just act like you're going to buy 5000 fixtures for a commercial application and you need info before you commit. . .

I'm planning to run commercial ballasts in my garage. They are surface mount though witch eliminates most of the problems you are concerned about. You would think a $100 Lithonia electronic commercial ballast would far out-perform a $40 ballast from Home Cheapo, no? That was my thinking and I got such a good deal, I couldn't walk away.

Same idea. . . Multi-volt application, 4 foot, 2 bulb 32 watt T8's. I have 24 of them going into my garage. Over the main work area will be 4 rows of 5 fixtures each. These are the ones I am using: CLICK HERE They sell online anywhere from $90 to $135 PER FIXUTRE. . . I paid $170 for 24, new in the box. How do you say no to that?

The only other thing you want to make sure is that the lights have a 2 pin bulb set up. Some commercial fixtures are set up for single pin bulbs which are not easy to come by and seem to cost more.

I have some cooper metalux parabolic 2'x4' lights in my garage. Mine were originally setup with 270v ballast, but i put new 120v ballast in. You are right about getting a drywall install kit, they should be available, i would check with more "commercial" electrical supply houses if you cant find anything at depot or lowes.
I have no problems with interference with the tv.
I used a drop ceiling in my garage so they were easy to install. Drywall will be a bit more work but is doable.