2' led tubes in a 4' t8 fixture , issues?

[The Cobbler]

I have an opportunity to source about 40 2' NIB led ballast bypass tubes for less than a dollar a tube .
any issues with using them to retrofit 4' t8 fixtures?
I have measured and they will fit end to end with a bit of slack , about 1/2" .
they are powered one end (other end is just a carrier) so I would have to wire the fixtures so each tombstone is powered( no biggie) . I figure I could fabricate a support in the middle with a spacer to hold them up and space them apart so they hold in the tombstones correctly .
I thought also, ( but a lot of work) to add tombstones to the fixtures to carry the end of the bulb .
the fixtures have lenses .
any thoughts?

 

[cybrdyke]

They make what you're thinking of making. Purchase a "tandem kit". It provides a center socket for the fixture. Normally it's used to transform an 8' fixture into 2 x 4' tubes, but there's no reason that you couldn't use one to change a 4' fixture into 2 x 2' tubes.
CD

 

[The Cobbler]

Thanks, I've seen them , but the cost of those probably negates the savings. I'd be better off just buying 4' tubes then

 

[The Cobbler]

might have found the perfect thing to support the ends , just need a spacer between the bulbs https://www.ebay.com/itm/324573110658

 

[The Cobbler]

Picked up 53 bulbs for $30 all in from Habitat .