Help me pick a replacement ballast

[where2]

The existing 12 year old 2 bulb T12 U-tube troffler fixture installed in my kitchen lights occasionally, at best, if you leave it on for 5+ minutes. I have installed new bulbs in it with no appreciable change in function. Obviously, it needs a new ballast. If I am swapping out the ballast, I'd like to upgrade the performance or reduce the energy consumption of this light fixture if possible.

T8 U-tubes are available, so can I simply swap in a T8 ballast and two T8 U-tubes and get energy savings and a functional light again? This light tends to stay on for hours at a time, so reducing this fixture's consumption would be nice.

Or, should I just stick with the T12 U-tube for some reason, and simply replace the ballast?

 

[jhelrey]

Just replace the ballast. Home Depot and Menards have good selection of ballasts.

Since the ballast will run you around $35 plus tax, now might be the time to get a new fixture if you hate it. I personally hate florescent so I would be replacing it with a normal nice looking fixture for the cheap.

 

[Kevin C]

If its a fixture that you like ( or that requires more work to get a new one that fits well) I would go with the T8 upgrade. At my local Home Depot 120 v ballasts typically run about $20. The upside is you get a name brand ballast that should hold up for a long time.

 

[frankush]

I agree on the T8 upgrade. Check the lampholders also. Many times they get sloppy and don't hold the lamp well.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Only issue you may encounter is that the U tube has a support bracket that will be too large for the T8 bulb. You may have to engineer something extra to support the bulb.

Charles