Fluorescent Fixture Tips/Recommendations?

[mmhouse]

I'm preparing to replace three switched porcelain fixtures in my garage (which currently have 200W bulbs in them) with three fluorescent fixtures. They will be mounted directly to the drywall on the ceiling.

From what I've read here I'm planning to go with 48" 4-tube T8 fixtures.

Is there anything in particular I should look for when purchasing these fixtures? Are some better, quieter, more efficient, etc. than others? How do I tell a good fixture from a cheap one?

Also, similar question about the tubes. I assume there are options there too.

Suggestions/recommendations are appreciated.

 

[jgira12]

I am looking too. You can consider light qualities when making your choice. Lumens and Kelvin ratings are something you can get into, and should. I want the most natural light (simulated daylight) and I want the highest light output I can get in the T8s. I have found some on ebay and a grower's supply company that are my top candidates right now. there is a very expensive fixture at griot's garage. I like the fixtures that hold 6 T8s the best...why not get the most bulbs in place for the most light? Two bulbs doesn't cut it in the garage, and 4 is bare minumum for me.

 

[Marcmcm]

Why only 4 ft fixtures? I went with 8 ft in my garage..mostly becasue my shop is long and narrow.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

MANY fluorescent fixtures are not designed for direct mounting to a surface. Some even go so far as to come with chains for you to hang them with and a sticker that says they cannot be direct mounted. Even without this restriction, fixtures that are capable of being mounted on a surface, will run cooler and last longer if they are spaced off the surface by even just a small amount. A couple of squares of 3/4 plywood or 1 by 4 at the mounting points will go a long ways toward a cooler light, as the exposed top surface of the fixture can act as a radiator and help cool it.

From what most people have said on this board, the Lowes/Home Depot fixtures, while same brand and identical in manufacture and construction to the electrical supply house units, are equipped with a cheaper quality ballast that does not last.

Charles

 

[mmhouse]

MANY fluorescent fixtures are not designed for direct mounting to a surface. Some even go so far as to come with chains for you to hang them with and a sticker that says they cannot be direct mounted. Even without this restriction, fixtures that are capable of being mounted on a surface, will run cooler and last longer if they are spaced off the surface by even just a small amount. A couple of squares of 3/4 plywood or 1 by 4 at the mounting points will go a long ways toward a cooler light, as the exposed top surface of the fixture can act as a radiator and help cool it.

From what most people have said on this board, the Lowes/Home Depot fixtures, while same brand and identical in manufacture and construction to the electrical supply house units, are equipped with a cheaper quality ballast that does not last.

Charles

Charles,

I really don't want them hanging down and getting in the way or worse yet broken. I suppose, as you suggest, I could space them down just a bit. Thanks for that suggestion.

Is it the ballast that heats up? If so, would electronic ballasts be less sensitive?

To your second point, how can I tell if I'm getting a fixture with a good ballast or not? As I understand I should get electronic ballasts, correct? Are there any particular ratings or specs (or brand) on the ballasts that I should look for or avoid?

-Mike

 

[mmhouse]

Why only 4 ft fixtures? I went with 8 ft in my garage..mostly becasue my shop is long and narrow.

In my case the 4' fixtures fit well right where the current porcelain fixtures are. Also, I've read here that the 8' bulbs can be a bit of a pain to haul, store and handle.

 

[Rigmaster]

Not really an answer to your question, but if your garage is unheated and it gets cold where you live, you might want to seriously consider the "hi-output" fluorescent fixtures/bulbs. I put 2 8 ft fixtures in my garage and they work GREAT. No flickering or low light output in cold weather. The fixtures and bulbs were a bit more pricey than the standard ones, but I think it's well worth it.

Seems like the bulbs even had "cold weather" or something similar stenciled on them.

Mine were very good quality fixtures (purchased from Lowe's), I mounted them directly to the drywalled ceiling of my garage with no ill effects. IIRC, the bulbs are rated at ~110w each where most standard bulbs are ~80w each or less. So, a bit more electricity is used, but you get much more light output with these.


I had 4 of these installed in my 30x40 steel shop building a couple of years ago, and their performance there is what led me to install them in the garage at our new house.

 

[kbs2244]

First, I would not replace the current bulbs.
Add the fluorescents to what you have.
The old style come on faster and also seem to cancel the strobe effect of the fluorescent.

Second, when you mount them I am assuming you will use drywall screws.
If you slip a 1/4 to 3/8 thick nut over the screw so it will be between the top of the fixture and the ceiling you will get a bit of an air space for cooling.
It seems to help them last longer.

 

[birdman1]

I have 8 ft. 2 tube fixtures in my shop and I used scrap 1" long pc of pvc conduit to space off the ceiling to allow air movement. Just use a long screw and go throught he fixture and the pvc ****** to mount the fixture. Works great. The 8ft tubes are much easier to replace that 4ft. tubes.You can get the daylight tubes for a brighter,more natural light. Any of the other spacer mentioned would work great also
Later Mike

 

[mmhouse]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[buening]

I've read that the 4' bulbs are more energy efficient and last longer than the 8' bulbs. For the life of me I cannot remember where I read this, but it was a reputable source. You can buy 8' fixtures that are four 4' bulbs. Finding a quality 8' T8 bulb is a pain if you only shop at the big box stores

 

[Palmetto]

One thing that has plagued me is the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) that I get when using my 8' T8 fixutes from Lowes. Turn them on, and the radio goes to static.....***** big time.

 

[mmhouse]

One thing that has plagued me is the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) that I get when using my 8' T8 fixutes from Lowes. Turn them on, and the radio goes to static.....***** big time.

Does this happen with all fluorescents or is it dependent upon the fixture, ballast or bulb?

Is there something I can look for when purchasing fixtures to avoid this problem?

 

[Palmetto]

From what I have read, it is from cheaply made electronic ballasts. I am trying to figure out what to do becuase my radio is always on, and I am running out of CD's.......

I am not sure what to look for! I wish I knew.

BTW,,,,the lights work great! they are really bright! I have 6 in my 30x40 shop at about 14' high.

 

[mmhouse]

With all the great guidance from all of you I got my lights installed.

I put a surface mount four bulb T8 fixture with lense over each box where the old porcelain ones were. From the middle one I wired in a 2-bulb surface mount fixture with lense over my bench with a pull chain switch (so every time I turn on the garage lights it doesn't come on). I then mounted four more 2-bulb surface mount fixtures with lense toward the rear of the garage...at the outer edges and between each bay. I wired cords onto these and plugged them into the outlets where that my openers plug into and put pull-cord switches on all of them. To make things look neat I ran all the cords on the ceiling in plastic cord covers.

Wow....what an improvement!!! Now when I turn on the lights the three main 4-tube fixtures come on which is plenty for general lighting. If I need more light over the bench I turn that one on and if I'm doing a project where I need more light at the rear of the garage I turn some or all of those on.

I went with 2950 lumen 5000k bulbs and the light in my 3-car garage is fantastic! I like the 5000k color. I originally tried 6500k and didn't like them at all.

All T8 fixtures and bulbs came from Home Depot.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and information both here and in other threads.

 

[strnge]

Can you post some photos of your install?
Mike

 

[mmhouse]

Can you post some photos of your install?
Mike

Here you go......There's one more fixture to the right at the rear of the garage that wouldn't fit into the picture. The three 4-tube fixutures are on the garage switch and all the 2-tubes have pull chains.

 

[bad5x8]

Looks great. I'm in a similar situation, and will do a similar setup in my 3 car garage. My question is...
Did you get radio interference with these fixtures?
Thanks,
Blake

 

[mmhouse]

Looks great. I'm in a similar situation, and will do a similar setup in my 3 car garage. My question is...
Did you get radio interference with these fixtures?
Thanks,
Blake

The quick answer is 'no.'

I'm in a fringe reception area and my AM reception on most stations is never all that great. I get a slight bit of interference from one of the fixtures but not from any of the others. They are all the same brand and type, so I have no idea why this would be the case.

My FM reception is not affected at all.

The fixures are Lithonia brand from the Home Depot and here's a photo of the ballast in a 2-tube fixture.

 

[strnge]

Thanks! How much light do you think was diffused when you put the covers over the light?


Also please post a close up of your display cabinet in the backround. It has lights in it and some hats on top.

Mike

 

[mmhouse]

I don't quite know how to answer your question. I don't think the lenses block much if any light and they protect the bulbs. They also help cut down on the glare from the white ceiling and walls.

That cabinet is my wife's Seattle Mariners shrine!

I picked up the cabinet at IKEA for about $99. It is actually made to mount vertically and has a bunch of glass shelves that I obviously didn't use. Mounted this way the door latches at the bottom and opens upward. The lights are just something I had lying around and drilled some holes and dropped in. It hard to tell from the photo but it sticks out about 8" from the wall.

I have it plugged into a motion sensor so when there's movement in the garage it comes on.

 

[strnge]

Thanks again for posting photos, nice of you to give your wife some space inthe garage. Love the idea!

Mike