Fluorescent light bulbs...

[Novicaine]

I bought eighht 4' 2-bulb light fixtures for my 32x48 shop. They take these bulbs: 32W T8 or 25W,34W,40W T12 (F32T8 req for low temp)

Here is a link to them I found online, mine were from Menards:
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/Ame...-4-Foot-Hi-Low-Shoplight-2-Light-2472132.html

I also may need to return these because I'd prefer surface mounting them... I didn't realize these needed to be 3" from ceiling until I read the above link.

I wanted a nice white bright light, so I bought some of these bulbs:
Sylvania Daylight
40W
2180 lumens
88 CRI
6500K

I hooked up one fixture to test. They are too blue, they look like a greenhouse plant light, and are not very bright at all. Does that jive with "yes that's not a good bulb"?

So, it's back to the store... any suggestions? From a search on this forum it seems like I want 3500-5000K and the highest CR I can get... but should I get the 32W T8s for any reason over the T12s? I just want it bright...

I also may need to get some 8' (4 bulb fixtures) instead.

Thanks!!

 

[kb2tha]

Here is a link to them I found online, mine were from Menards:
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/Ame...-4-Foot-Hi-Low-Shoplight-2-Light-2472132.html

I also may need to return these because I'd prefer surface mounting them... I didn't realize these needed to be 3" from ceiling until I read the above link.

Can anyone explain this 3" from the ceiling reason? My light directions simply say do not surface mount, and I too along with the OP wish to surface mount. I was planning on using a 1" length of tubing as a spacer. My ceiling will be 5/8" FC sheetrock. Any thoughts?
Ken

 

[timewarp]

The 3" from the ceiling is to allow an air gap for cooling, if they are mounted closer either of 2 things could occur, the best would be that the life expectancy of the ballast would be diminished, the worst would be that the ballast or the ceiling would catch on fire.

 

[tfi racing]

That fixture likely has a no name low quality ballast in it,but you get what you paid for.T12 are relics from the distant past and should be left there,you won't be happy with them,I would use F32T8 4100's,Sylvania,Phillips or GE are the brands to stick with.

 

[luv2ride]

Whats teh difference between T12's and T8's? I have 8' fixtures in my garage and bought 2 T12's a fwe days ago. I have heat but only turn it on when I'm out there. Its 10* F today BTW.

Suggestions?

 

[Cryptic1911]

2180 lumens isnt that bright considering whats out now. I have 3100 lumen bulbs. Also, the reason they are blue is the 6500k (kelvin temp). That is getting into blue light. 4100 is like a soft white, 5000k is about as white as you're going to get before going blue.

Get some different bulbs and see how they work out - t8's are the "new" bulbs, and t12's are going to go away in the near future. Plus t8's have longer life, more lumens, and a few others

 

[Cryptic1911]

 

[GTOGreg]

I have Phillips 5000K with a 82 CRI and think they are great. 4' 32W T8. I paid $34 for 10 of them (I think that was the qty, give or take)

 

[Novicaine]

I'm going to try some different bulbs, thanks for the advice!

 

[Novicaine]

I thought I should post a followup since someone PM'd me asking about those lights becasue this came up in a search: Well, I hated those 4' bulbs, couldn't get enough light, and the blue tint I did not like. So I looked at a friend's shop whose lights I liked, then went to Menards and duplicated his. I got some 8' HO fixtures with standard old HO 75 watt bulbs (if memory serves correctly) and screwed the fixtures directly to the steel ceiling with two screws each. No clearance needed. I put 8 fixtures in my 32x48 shop and it's like daytime working in there at night. Very nice and I'm very happy with them.

 

[rlitman]

If your fixture will run T8's, definitely go with that over the T12's. They burn 8 watts less, but put out slightly more light per bulb, lose less brightness over time, and last longer.

 

[Falcon67]

I run all 6500Ks. Yes, they look "blue" when you first get under there but after a while you adjust and the colors are like working outside. I don't remember the lumen output of the once I use - I think they are Sylvania. Have to look.

 

[frank1380]

You may want to look for something a bit 'warmer' than the 6500Ks. I have 6500s primarily but one fixture has something that is at the other end of the scale. They look pink/red and that would probably be unbearable for me if they were in every fixture.

My fixtures are from a school that was getting upgraded (except for the 1 with the different bulbs which I bought separately) and they all included their respective bulbs. I did need to replace a couple of burn outs in the school fixtures and noticed the new bulbs I put in were not immediately as bright. After a few minutes of being on the new bulbs were up to a comparable brightness as the others. Upon subsequent illuminations they've all been similar.

The bulbs I used to replace the burnt ones were 6500K, 32W, T8, Philips. I forget the CRI and lumen output but I want to say 82 for the CRI and 2160 for the output. I bought a 10 pack for around 30 dollars.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

FWIW, just put some Sylvania T8 34watt 6500k, wow- bright, best $ spent on bulbs in a while! (purchased @ HD) about $10 a pair

PS- GE sells these too @ lowes but they put out less lumens, ask me how I know...about $8 a pair.

 

[pattenp]

.... and t12's are going to go away in the near future. Plus t8's have longer life, more lumens, and a few others

The T12 magnetic ballast are going away. Electronic ballast for T12 are being made for replacements. With all the commercial applications still running T12 they will be around for some time to come. I know at least the T12ho is exempt.