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Help me pick T8 tubes

mz44

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Messages
130
Location
SE Pennsylvania
I just built a 30x40 shop with 12' ceiling. I am working on the electric now. I have read the threads about the LED lights, and have decided to go with fluorescent T8 lights. I think the LEDs are to new right now and with the 12 ft ceiling I am just unsure about LEDs at this time. That being said I was going to get some inexpensive fixtures and put a quality ballast in it (Sylvania Quicktronic QHE4X32T8/UNV PSH-HT). I am unsure about the tubes though. I am leaning towards 4100 for the color temp. I saw these, Sylvania 21767, 32w 4100 with 85cri.
Here's where I get lost, the specs say output will be affected in temps below 50 degrees, and cold weather applications should be put in an enclosure or tube guard to maximize performance. I am in Pennsylvania and we get cold winters. I am going to insulate and will have some heat out there but will not be a heated space all the time. Will these bulbs work? Any other bulbs I should look at? Or just get tube guards.
I would like to stay with Sylvania to take advantage of Quick 60 warranty.
Any advice is appreciated
Thanks
 
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jtpfarm

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Joined
Mar 6, 2015
Messages
28
Why are you concerned about the 12' ceiling? I have LEDs on a 20' ceiling. Also, the LEDs wont be bothered by the cold.
 
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Cave Creek Ray

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Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
383
Location
North Central Arizona
Why mess with a ballast? That eats up half your energy -and for no reason! Plus, cold ballasts can put out lower voltage upon start-up.

Either buy new fixtures or use old fixtures simply to hold the LED bulbs. You toss the ballast and simply wire up the bulb mounts. Each bulb has a small step-down voltage converter to run the LED tube. If you have a bunch, you can do 12 fixture conversions in an hour or so. As long as you can get good looking fixtures that match, nobody will know if they are used. Loads of people are ditching florescent fixtures for LED.

Its super simple and most bulb suppliers provide the wiring diagram to get the fixture converted. I just took two 24" fixtures I replaced in my washroom to the barn. Swapped each fixture over in five minutes flat. Hanging them is just two wires and a ground. SIMPLE! :)

I have a 14' ceiling with six dual 48" LEDs and they really light up the 42' by 27" workshop. I am putting LED task lighting over machines. I have a gorgeous LED strip under my upper cabinets over my workbench. Plenty of light!

Ray
 
Last edited:

cybrdyke

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Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
3,444
Location
USA
Why mess with a ballast? That eats up half your energy -and for no reason! Plus, cold ballasts can put out lower voltage upon start-up.

Not anymore. The ballast he specified in the OP only draws about 6 watts (out of 112 total) and will fire the lamps down to -20F.
CD
 
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