WeekendWarrior83
Well-known member
Fluorescents take forever to 'warm up' and reach full luminosity in the cold... at least the ones I have dealt with. Is there a better option for garage lighting? What are people installing?
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Cold weather & fluorescents
- Thread starter WeekendWarrior83
- Start date
Make sure you are running full wattage lamps, 40W for F40T12 not 34w. And 32W lamps if they are T8. The reduced wattage lamps do not do well below 60*. Good quality ballasts also play a significant part.
Use fixtures with a high ballast factor ballast, can be found in some T8 strips and most T8 highbays. High Output fixtures and lamp and fixtures also do well in the cold. Both of these option are rated to start in much colder temps than others.
Lots on here like the cheap LED fixtures, but I like decent quality gear and good LED fixtures get expensive.
Use fixtures with a high ballast factor ballast, can be found in some T8 strips and most T8 highbays. High Output fixtures and lamp and fixtures also do well in the cold. Both of these option are rated to start in much colder temps than others.
Lots on here like the cheap LED fixtures, but I like decent quality gear and good LED fixtures get expensive.
Last edited:
OP
WeekendWarrior83
Well-known member
Make sure you are running full wattage lamps, 40W for F40T12 not 34w. And 32W lamps if they are T8. The reduced wattage lamps do not do well below 60*. Good quality ballasts also play a significant part.
Use fixtures with a high ballast factor ballast, can be found in some T8 strips and most T8 highbays. High Output fixtures and lamp and fixtures also do well in the cold. Both of these option are rated to start in much colder temps than others.
Lots on here like the cheap LED fixtures, but I like decent quality gear and good LED fixtures get expensive.
Great advice, thanks! I think I have used the reduced wattage bulbs.. they are definitely ****.
The FIB
Well-known member
For very cold weather, you need type HO fluorescent lamps and ballasts, these are what they use in outdoor signage. As Bert said the trend seems to be all about LED's.
I use F96T12HO and F48T12HO fixtures, but have retrofitted a couple to F96T8 'cause it was cheap (about $7 a fixture including lamps + tax) they are quite well suited for cold areas but if buying new LED is worth considering. Neighbor next door new shop is LED & OK but walls are OSB, & ceiling is unfinished drywall.