Fluorescent lighting...electronic ballast questions

[HellaFab]

I am upgrading my lighting in my garage.

I live in ontario, Canada so the winters are cold and the garage isn't heated.

If I get a fixtures with electronic ballasts:

1. Is there a difference in a cold rated electronic ballast?
2. Is there different quality ballasts? Consideringthey will be t8 for bot.


Reason I ask is that HD is having a sale on some fixtures for $10 locally and that would cut my project cost in half.
I'm not looking to buy ssomething that won't work for me but saving money is always preffered.

Matt

 

[crackerman]

Most every electronic ballast is good for 0F start up. There are different quality ballasts but is your garage will be typically used as a household garage and weekend project space they should work fine. At 10 bucks you really can't go wrong.

I just installed a 15 dollar twin tube t8 fixture tonight to supplement the others I have had for 3 years and they all work great and give me more than enough light in my little 2 car.

 

[HellaFab]

holy, I just reread that and the typos are very annoying. thanks "smartphone"


Thanks crackerman. I think I will pick them up then.

 

[mike_81]

are these the Lithonia 4ft plug in lights? picked up a couple myself (Brampton, ON) a few weeks back (not installed yet).

 

[crackerman]

holy, I just reread that and the typos are very annoying. thanks "smartphone"


Thanks crackerman. I think I will pick them up then.

Not a problem. I am a big believer in buying to the level you really need, the difference between frugal and cheap. Certain things like tools are a cry once, buy once proposition, but that said I bought USA craftsman where I can now because I want quality but don't really need SNAP-ON when I don't make my living from tools.

Since they are only 10 bucks buy 2 or 3 extra to have on hand when one eventually breaks you don't have to sweat finding parts or new fixtures.

 

[HellaFab]

Yeah, i understand the cheap vs frugal idea. I just dont realize why they would market only some of the lights as rated for cold temperatures if all electronic ballast lights work in the cold.

and Mike81. yes.

I will be getting 10 of them and a single 48" exposed to put right at the tangent of my garage door... so that it will shine into the garage be it the door open or closed (for under hood car work)

 

[crackerman]

I just dont realize why they would market only some of the lights as rated for cold temperatures if all electronic ballast lights work in the cold.

Consumer vs commercial and all that. What you need for a house garage or shop vs 100% duty cycle in a freezer case at Tim Hortons vs middle of a parking area at the northern latitudes of Yellow knife etc. Plus a big difference if I need to grab my 6ft ladder or a 120ft cherry picker to change them.

Not that I am by any means an expert, I just worked some summers and listened to my Uncle who was a Master Electrician for 25 years and owned his own business in OH. Though I do have a lot of wash and relamps and 1 full commercial building to my credit. (This means I know not to talk out my *** to much) I am sure smarter people can give us more detailed answers.

BUt hey living in Southern California I do have to worry about my lights on those cold nights that my garage might get down intothe high 40Fs

 

[gpgab97]

High 40's? it's 38 here in the Phila suburbs and i'm outside with a cold one in cargo shorts....

 

[LOOSEWHEEL]

Any link or SKU for these Lithonia fixtures?

 

[mike_81]

Yeah, i understand the cheap vs frugal idea. I just dont realize why they would market only some of the lights as rated for cold temperatures if all electronic ballast lights work in the cold.

and Mike81. yes.

I will be getting 10 of them and a single 48" exposed to put right at the tangent of my garage door... so that it will shine into the garage be it the door open or closed (for under hood car work)

I bought two of them for my single car in Brampton, ON. i got them for $7.50ea w/o bulbs. went back 2 days later to get 2 more and they were all gone!