4 lamp T-8 choice

[klkruser]

About to go spring for a few dozen 8 foot four tube T-8 fixtures for the new shop under construction, and waffling between the ones with reflectors or the straight strips. I will eventually board the ceiling so thinking the reflectors may be redundant if I paint the ceiling off white.

Any comments before I drop my cash. BTW HD is asking 59.95 for the strip and 63.95 for the reflector model, both Lithonia. I assume that's reasonable?

 

[jbs]

About to go spring for a few dozen 8 foot four tube T-8 fixtures for the new shop under construction, and waffling between the ones with reflectors or the straight strips. I will eventually board the ceiling so thinking the reflectors may be redundant if I paint the ceiling off white.

Any comments before I drop my cash. BTW HD is asking 59.95 for the strip and 63.95 for the reflector model, both Lithonia. I assume that's reasonable?

I'm going to be using the strips. I figure the same: with white ceilings it won't matter much, and may give better, more diffused light.

My HD has the "high output" 4-T8 8-ft for $59 also. This is listed as using normal T8 bulbs, but I couldn't see what bulbs were actually in it, so I am not sure if it is an HO ballast/bulb combo. They also had a normal 4-T8 8-ft that was not as bright (or so it appeared in the store, although the color temp was also different). They are both Lithonia.


I am also considering these:
http://www.contractorlighting.com/8ft-lamp-watt-fluorescent-double-channel-strip-120277-p-176.html
They are similar in price to the normal Lithonias at HD. Not sure which is better quality wise...

 

[Falcon67]

I'm going to use the $20 "kitchen" two bulb units in my shop. I'm not using shop or reflctor lights for that reason - sheetrock and white painted ceiling. I would take those prices to an electrical supply and see what they might come up with. My neighbor claims he can beat anything sold at HD or Lowes except Romex. The temp of the bulb can make a difference in output. Plenty of discussion about that on here.

 

[SUPERFORD]

I intend to post a thread later tonight titled: "what I've learned about strip lighting in the last week".

but until then...

regarding home depot Lithonia strip flourescent lighting.

The $59 quad bulb 8' T8 "HO" 32 WATT fixture (sku# 247-790) with the GEB or GEBHL ballast is a mystery. How can it be "High Output" but not use HO bulbs (higher wattage bulb). Home Depot claims 20% higher light output than standard T8 fixture. For info, I skipped Home Depot and talked directly to the folks at Lithonia. They assure me that although this fixture does not require HO bulbs, it does indeed produce very HO like Lumen output of 13,400 lumens per fixture (again, using standard 32watt bulbs) as compared to standard T8 fixture which would be around 11000 lumens per sq/ft or "foot candles" with the same bulbs, or an "real" T8HO fixture with "real" HO 44, 54, 75 or 86watt etc. bulbs which should produce 14,000+ lumens. This fixture is the no brainer choice EXCEPT THAT, it uses a "commercial" ballast and therefore may / is very likely to / will have RFI (radio frequency interference) issues. Meaning you are likely to have problems if you want to watch TV (yes even cable) or listen to the Radio in your garage.

I am going tonight to purchase 16 of the "standard" 8' quad bulb T8 fixtures (sku# 518-902) for $39.96ea from my local HD tonight. They use the residential GESB RFI inhibiting ballasts.

as for the reflectors. the consensus seems to be. If you are going to sheetrock the ceiling and paint it white then use the non reflector models, if you are going to leave it unfinished (meaning exposed trusses/rafters or possibly even un painted sheetrock?) then go ahead with the reflectors as they will help.

BTW:

Any comments before I drop my cash. BTW HD is asking 59.95 for the strip and 63.95 for the reflector model, both Lithonia. I assume that's reasonable?

I've been shopping 8' models, but even the "quasi" HO in 8' is only 59.95. Standard T8 models weren't that high even at local electrical supply houses much less Home Depot. So I'd say, NO, 59.95 for a 4 foot strip is NOT reasonable, it seems way too high. Unless it's HO, a 4' strip should be $25-$30 plus slightly more for reflector shields.
(edit: I now see that you are in Canada, I know that pricing is different there, so your $59 4' fixture may very well be the correct price, sorry.)

just my .02.

hope this helps.

-Chris

 

[Steevo]

I used strip lights (4-bulb T8 fixtures) with no reflectors, because I wanted the light to hit and reflect off my white ceiling. I think it makes for a more even lighting coverage.

 

[JC23]

That does look good, Steevo. I don't see a shadow anywhere.

 

[PassnThru]

By reflectors I'm assuming you mean the wing like parts on the side. No opinion on that - but you might want to think about covered strips - one more layer of protection between the bulbs and flying debris and the occasional long object carried vertically. Which, of course, makes the argument about reflectors moot.

 

[BMEP]

Good info SUPERFORD!

I've been looking at exactly the same fixtures. I was trying to figure out what the "quasi HO" was about, too. One thing I did notice that may pertain to you, klkruser - they "HO" fixtures start at -20 (this is on the package). I assume that means the lower cost fixtures do not. I'm not sure if the $40 "non HO" fixtures are available in Canada though.

I came to the same conclusion as SUPERFORD - the $39.99 fixtures are the ones I'm going to buy. I'm planning about 22 of them in a 1076 sq/ft. garage.

klkruser, one thing I would recommend - if you do board the ceiling, paint it the brighest and glossiest white you can stand - the reflected light will really make a difference. The glossiness makes a big difference.

 

[klkruser]

Thanks all, I purchased 2 of the 4 bulb 8 foot fixtures at HD with the Daylight bulbs.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/96-in-t8-double-strip-tandem-light/972616

Will give them a try first before I pull the trigger.

By code do I need octagonal boxes mounted first or are the just hardwired in the fixture box?