Ballast or new fixture

[dmwesq]

I have a 4' T12 fixture that needs a new ballast. After doing some reading, and having replaced some other fixtures with T8's in the past, I am curious if I should just replace the T12 ballast or buy a whole new fixture? The price difference in box stores seems to be negligible for a plain fixture - this is for laundry room.

 

[Falcon67]

I used new T8 ballasts in the installed T12 fixtures in this house we bought. One 4' quad bulb in the laundry and two 4' dual bulb in the kitchen. I just didn't care to unmount the things to replace the fixtures. The kitchen ballasts ran about $24 each where new fixtures would have been $20.

 

[dmwesq]

I assume you also needed to change the tube sockets to use a quad bulb - what did that entail?

If I stay with traditional bulbs, can I use the existing sockets and just change out the ballast?

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Yeah, T12 and T8 sockets are the same. I have several cheap 4' shoplights that were originally T12 and now all have T8 ballasts.

 

[klhitman]

i would just change the whole fixture as its cheaper and maybe easy to replace depending on how the old one is installed. i know shop lights at walmart are like 15 bucks. a new ballast like stated before could be 20 or more. but a hour of your time and a cheap light is always worth it to me

 

[cowboyjosh]

I assume you also needed to change the tube sockets to use a quad bulb - what did that entail?

If I stay with traditional bulbs, can I use the existing sockets and just change out the ballast?

Its quick and easy to change The socket. Might be more cost effetive just to replace the entire fixture and will take about the same amount of time.

 

[66HertzClone]

I installed new T8 ballasts in the fixtures on the ceiling in my garage a couple of weeks ago. Since these were added and the wires run thru conduit, replacing the ballasts was easier. I paid just under $20 for each ballast, so there would be little or no savings changing the fixture. I did give the reflectors a fresh coat of paint just to be sure.

 

[Will67]

Well if these $20 new fixtures have some elcheapo ballast you will be buying new fixtures again soon....just my opinion

 

[Falcon67]

I did not have to change the end sockets - just changed the ballast and installed T8 bulbs. T8 ballast wiring it generally simpler than T12 too.

Well if these $20 new fixtures have some elcheapo ballast you will be buying new fixtures again soon....just my opinion

It is a **** shoot for sure. When I have a cheap-o fixture fail, I typically change the ballast and then it works a good long time. Bought a $20 light for the pantry in the old house - ballast died 10 days later. Repaired it with a $24 ballast - still running when we sold 3 years later. Shop lights I would just buy another, mounted fixtures I'd buy a ballast.

 

[Mr_fixit]

I'd never buy a cheap china fixture( again) for 20 bucks. But I would buy a $20.00 ballast to install in an old fixture.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

This is what I did to one of my old cheap T12 fixtures when I got tired of replacing bulbs due to a cheap ballast:

I also added an electronic T8 ballast so both tubes still work as well.