florescent lighting

[akpolaris]

I recently picked up some surplussed 8" light fixtures. They were wired into a commercial building, a 277 volt system according to the transformers in the fixtures. Included with some T-12, single pin bulbs. My questions are as follows.
1. Can I rewire these fixtures for my 110 volt system in my shop by getting different transformers?
2. Will the tombstones and single pin T-12 bulbs work? If not do I just find compatible bulbs & tombstones to synch with the transformers??

thanks
tom

 

[toplessHO]

you can change the ballasts(transformers as you call them) . sockets will work fine
I think youll find that 8 ft lamps are about 4x the price of 4 ft tho,and the availability is limited.Its pretty much common knowledge that a reballasting costs about as much as a new fixture.

 

[pattenp]

Double check the specs on the ballast. Commercial ballast usually say 120V- 277V so what you have may work with 120V.

 

[akpolaris]

I thought it was called a ballast but it says made by advance transformer co. Now I see in the wiring schematic it is called a ballast. the label indicates 277 volts, 60 hertz, 430 M.A, line current .67 amp. These came with a supply of 8' bulbs so I was going to use them as temporary lighting as I build the shop. I can to wire it up as is before buying any more ballasts???

 

[CombatNinja]

When I redid my lighting, I decided that upgrading ballasts or converting from T-12 to T-8 was not practical. I bought all new fixtures for less than the ballasts would have cost me. I would never advise messing with repairing or retrofitting any fluorescent fixture, just not worth it.

 

[Cruzingoose]

A 277 volt ballast, electronic or magnetic, will run on 240. I have several. Lamp starting is sluggish below 20 degrees, but they will eventually light after a minute or so.

 

[slip knot]

I'm re- ballasting my 8ft T12 to a 8ft T8. The ballast are @$25 each. Most of the 277v I've seen are dual voltage 277-120V. I'm buying residential ballats that are listed at 120v only.
The dual voltage units are noisy and can cause interference on electronic devices. My current T12s play hell with radio reception in the shop.

 

[akpolaris]

Good info here. These are surplus units I will use while in construction phase, which may be a while. I have the fixtures and a supply of lamps. It is definitely below 20 deg since I have no heat source yet so the 277 volt ballast may have to go in favor of some 120s'. These will work for a while I think.

 

[akpolaris]

Will a ballast for 4' lights run an 8' light??

 

[Norcal]

Will a ballast for 4' lights run an 8' light??

No, the lamp type and quantity that a ballast is listed / rated to operate are shown on the ballast label.

 

[akpolaris]

As I figured it would be

 

[usa#1]

If you are looking for replacement ballasts, check on Zoro's web site. I recently replaced several and Zoro had best price I could find for electronic ballasts.

 

[akpolaris]

I found some on Amazon for $23 ea, free shipping. Can't squawk at all about that. Never heard of Zoro, looks like an interesting place

 

[usa#1]

Zoro's web site isn't the easiest to navigate. Zoro shows some 120/277v f96t12 GE electronic units for under $20.00. Free shipping if you purchase more than $50.00. Check GJ thread for coupon codes. There was a recent zoro code for 15 or so percent off. The advance ballasts I purchased were in the $15.00 price range for similar ballasts.

 

[RAYJAY]

I thought it was called a ballast but it says made by advance transformer co. Now I see in the wiring schematic it is called a ballast. the label indicates 277 volts, 60 hertz, 430 M.A, line current .67 amp. These came with a supply of 8' bulbs so I was going to use them as temporary lighting as I build the shop. I can to wire it up as is before buying any more ballasts???

not 100% sure i think the bulbs are for 277 also

 

[usa#1]

Just change ballasts to some that work with 120 volt. You can use your old bulbs.

 

[Norcal]

not 100% sure i think the bulbs are for 277 also

The ballast determines the supply voltage(s) not the lamps. Newer electronic ballasts installed in commercial lighting fixtures likely have ballasts rated for 120-277 volts, older ones were single voltage only.

 

[alfredeneuman]

A 277 volt ballast, electronic or magnetic, will run on 240. I have several. Lamp starting is sluggish below 20 degrees, but they will eventually light after a minute or so.

By Code, 240 volt lights or ballasts can't be used in residential applications.

 

[ddawg16]

If you are going to re-ballast, go with an electronic one that will let you use the newer higher eff bulbs. You will save on electricity and not have to worry about that 60 hz flicker you can get with magnetic ballasts

 

[Cruzingoose]

By Code, 240 volt lights or ballasts can't be used in residential applications.

Yeah, I know. I have them at the shop,(commercial building).

 

[Cruzingoose]

If you are worried about RF noise, be carefull choosing electronic ballasts. Most produce a hissing or rushing noise in all AM radios and upward to 7 MHZ in the Ham bands.