Flourescent lights in cold weather.........

[jwillis]

I am wanting to put some flourescent lights in my outbuilding/garage. It will be cold out there in the winter, down to freezing. I won't be using them that much, but if I do need them I know that they won't be very bright. Right? I now have four- 125 watt flood lights on the ceiling that point toward different areas. So what kind of 4' bulbs should I use? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ripsnortMN]

Get flourecent lights with cold start ballasts. Mine go down to zero degrees and will fire right up with no flicker.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If they're T8 lamps (the newer, skinny ones) they should have electronic ballasts that are good down to 0 degrees F.

 

[Norcal]

Add tube guards to the lamps, they will keep a jacket of warm air around the lamp(s) as FL lamps need a bulb wall temp of 100 degrees F for optimum light output, plus contain the glass if they happen to be broken as a bonus.

 

[ddawg16]

I've seen them light up down to -20F. Takes a min to get to full brightness....but then again, I'm kinda liking it....at night you don't have that sudden brite light that has you blinking while your eyes adjust.

 

[jwillis]

I was wondering........are they as bright in cold weather as they are in warm weather? That's what I was concerned about. I didn't think they got as bright in colder weather.

 

[nate 11]

my T8's do.

 

[neverenoughtools]

my T8's do.

My older (non t8) fluorescents
Light up in - 20c temps.....it just takes several minutes to warm up and achieve full brightness.

 

[nate379]

The T8s in my garage are noticeably dim when I first fire them up and the garage is kept at 55*.

Not sure how they are going to work out at -20* but we will find out soon cause that's what is going in my shed.

 

[jwillis]

Thanks for your guys' input. Really appreciate it.......j willis

 

[bill9860]

Agree - T8s fire right up but are dim for the first minute or so at 50 degrees but quickly get to fu;; brightness.