Ballast Question

[FlyBy]

Inherited a bunch of shop lights last year, getting the last one running needs a new ballast (know this for sure).

Ballast is a Sunpark SL15CW (in pics). Cheapest is 25 on amazon, but they only have a SL15T. Is there another ballast I can use in its place?

Ballast on Amazon

 

[Rookie2]

lowes has ballasts $26.** No need for cold weather starting

 

[pattenp]

What watt and type lamp do the fixtures use? If 2 lamp F32 T8, then any standard 2 lamp F32 T8 ballast will work.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/379/BA-ICN2P32N35M.html

 

[FlyBy]

They have the larger T12 lamps, not sure what wattage though. I just know them as the "normal size bulbs" that were more common than the smaller T8's when I was a kid.

 

[2ManyProjects]

Inherited a bunch of shop lights last year, getting the last one running needs a new ballast (know this for sure).

They have the larger T12 lamps, not sure what wattage though. I just know them as the "normal size bulbs" that were more common than the smaller T8's when I was a kid.

In which case, you would be throwing good money after bad to replace that ballast. Thanks to our busybody Federal regulators, it will soon become next-to-impossible to find replacement tubes for those lamps; and when you do, you can expect to pay through the nose for them.

Either convert the fixtures to T8, or trash them and start over.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Many of the replacement T12 electronic ballasts are like the one you have, and will also drive T8 bulbs. Get one that does both and then you can change over any time you want. Lowes and Home Depot have these on the shelf.

You will be much happier with the T8 lamps. More light for the same energy.

In which case, you would be throwing good money after bad to replace that ballast. Thanks to our busybody Federal regulators, it will soon become next-to-impossible to find replacement tubes for those lamps; and when you do, you can expect to pay through the nose for them.

Either convert the fixtures to T8, or trash them and start over.

If you look at the label on that ballast, you will see that it is already T8 capable. Hopefully the other lights also have dual rated ballasts.

Charles

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

You can convert them to t8's for basically the same price as replacing the ballast. I think I gave $25 or so for a t8 ballast to convert a couple lights in my one shed last fall. Really the only extra cost is the new bulbs for them.

 

[KenC]

Yep, conversion is the way I'd go. I have a bunch of 50+ year old 96" two bulb t12 fixtures. The original ballasts started failing a couple of years ago. I bought a full box of t8 bulbs at an auction for $5!!! So I found some ballasts, bought several and am upgrading as they fail. About 1/2 through the swap. Much better light output too!

 

[FlyBy]

Converting sounds like the way to go since I don't have any more T12 bulbs but just bought a case of T8's when redoing my basement lighting. Didn't know the gov't was going to be putting T12's to pasture.

May seem like a dumb question, but are the sockets for T12's any different than T8's?

 

[FlyBy]

Picked up a T8 ballast at lowes and converted the light, works great now!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

If your other ballasts are the same as the one you showed in the pics, it will already accept T8's, just change out the lamps and get more light.

Charles

 

[Kevin C]

If your other ballasts are the same as the one you showed in the pics, it will already accept T8's, just change out the lamps and get more light.

Charles

easiest T8 conversion ever.