8' Florescent Upgrade Ideas

[Lucky_B]

I purchased a home that has a great garage (very large). One of the previous owners built it and used it as a wood shop. Throughout the two levels there are 25 - 8' T8 dual bulb, flush mounted fixtures. Currently the 8' fixtures are end to end, in 4 rows (there is an odd fixture in another location). The main part of the garage is on two 120 volt circuits. Every other light is wired to the opposite circuit. You can have on either of the 2 light switches for partial light or turn them both on for full brightness.

The fixtures are in various stages of repair. Currently, I'd say that 70% of them work (remainder need bulbs / ballasts).

I'm looking for ideas to upgrade them or replace them. While I'm not concerned about spending money to upgrade them, I'd like to keep the cost reasonable.

So far I've looked at the 8' LED replacements. I have no problem rewiring them and bypassing the ballasts. At 50 bulbs the cost will add up quick at over $20 / bulb.

I was also thinking about removing the 8' fixtures and changing the spacing to 4' fixtures.

If anyone has an idea or suggestion I'd be happy to hear it. I'm looking for the best alternative for cost and keeping things simple in terms of my time.

Thanks

 

[NUTTSGT]

I prefer 4' lamps over 8 footers. Around here, the 4 footers are more readily available, easier to transport and get rid of when they die.

Adding a general location to your profile will help your fellow members give you advice and also what may be available in your area. Locally we have Menard's and I picked up 10 packs of LED bulbs.
https://www.menards.com/main/electr...764709189-c-7482.htm?tid=-7467441929985491241

I believe you can buy conversion kits to change an 8' 2 bulb fixture into a four 48" bulb fixture.

 

[AntonLargiader]

8' T8s are pretty efficient light, so your best bet might be to simply repair and maintain what is there. You can buy a 10-pack of Sylvania ballasts for about $160 shipped from Amazon and then some more bulbs for about $5 each.

$20 seems to be the low end for LEDs.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I believe you can buy conversion kits to change an 8' 2 bulb fixture into a four 48" bulb fixture.

^^^This^^^

Might want to make sure the end result is appropriate for your space first. What are your LxWxH dimensions?

 

[cybrdyke]

I'm looking for ideas to upgrade them or replace them.

There's lots of ways to upgrade 8' strips. The most common is to install what's called a "tandem kit". It will include a new set of sockets for each end of the strip and another set of sockets for the center of the strip. The kit will allow you to install 4 of a 4' LED tube, no ballast required. The good tandem kits will come with the sockets pre-wired, so all you need to do is to connect black and white that used to go to the ballast. Easy peasy.
Be certain that the tandem kit has the correct wiring for the LED tubes that you select.
You can also find retrofit kits that have LED strips or tubes mounted directly onto ballast covers that will fit right onto your fixtures. With these, you can have dimming or motion controls included.
There's lots of ways to skin the cat...
Good luck,
CD

 

[jimreed2160]

First off--congratulations! Having 24-8 ft fixtures means your garage is HUGE! Switching to LED should cut your power requirements a lot. I have added LED lights to my 24x24 garage shop over time and I have only 9-4ft fixtures for the whole place. But most of it is task lighting over workbenches.

This is a new to you space but I assume you will be there for awhile. Time for a remodel. I would rip them out, paint the ceiling and start over. Those existing units are old and need to go. If some of them are having problems, the others are sure to follow. Otherwise, you will repair over time and still look up in ten years and see 30-40 yo fixtures on your ceiling.

The 4 ft linkable LED fixtures are lightweight and sell everywhere for about $20-25 each. It is a substantial investment but you can break it up into two projects. Unless you need all of that light, you may be able to task light and reduce your requirements.

Lighting a HUGE garage is a great problem to have. Good luck with your project.

 

[Bert_]

First off--congratulations! Having 24-8 ft fixtures means your garage is HUGE! Switching to LED should cut your power requirements a lot. I have added LED lights to my 24x24 garage shop over time and I have only 9-4ft fixtures for the whole place. But most of it is task lighting over workbenches.

This is a new to you space but I assume you will be there for awhile. Time for a remodel. I would rip them out, paint the ceiling and start over. Those existing units are old and need to go. If some of them are having problems, the others are sure to follow. Otherwise, you will repair over time and still look up in ten years and see 30-40 yo fixtures on your ceiling.

The 4 ft linkable LED fixtures are lightweight and sell everywhere for about $20-25 each. It is a substantial investment but you can break it up into two projects. Unless you need all of that light, you may be able to task light and reduce your requirements.
Let's be honest here that is going to looks way worse the the current fixtures and there are much better ways to retrofit the current set up

Lighting a HUGE garage is a great problem to have. Good luck with your project.

The tandem kits work well and are easy to install.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Looks like I'm responsible for waking up a zombie thread. Not sure how that happened.

 

[Spulen81]

I'll add to the herd.

I just installed a couple of these retrofit kits to get rid of my failing 8ft T12s. I replaced them with 4ft LED tubes. It was super easy to convert them over and retrofit to my existing fixtures.
lightup.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=LEDLHWH1000045181

 

[txvwnut]

This is what I just replaced all my eight footers with,

https://primelights.com/shop/items/4-ft-2-lamp-led-t8-commercial-strip-shop-light-44watt-pl-blt44wfr