Need Advice Fluorescent Lighting

[zooba72]

Hello Everyone - I'm looking for some suggestions. I have a basement workshop that is appproximately 10' x 25' - it currently has four 48" Fluorescent fixtures which I need to replace. The existing fixtures are Rapid Ballast by General Electric and they looks like they've been here since the 70's or maybe even earlier. I was hoping to find something that was similar quality - the reviews of the Home Depot surface mounts are so/so. I was curious whether there was a pariticular brand/model that is recommended? Appreciate any advice.

I realize the existing fixtures can be rebuilt but the housings are beaten up and the reason I'm taking them down is the sheetrock has to come down behind it.

Thank you

 

[apollo11]

convert them for LEDs

 

[Bert_]

It's going to be tough to find anything that will match those as far as longevity. Definitely need to look at commercial industrial grade fixtures if you want anything that will hold up nearly as well. I wouldn't bother with a lot of the cheap box store fixtures or low quality LED retrofit tubes.

Those GE Bonus Line ballasts were good quality, probably made in the 60's - early 70's. I still see lots of these in daily operation in commercial environments, they just keep going as long as nobody puts those crappy 34w lamps in. These are the good full power ballasts before they came out with the reduced power ones in the 80's. So they run the lamps nice and bright. By the 90's some of the F40T12 ballasts were running the lamps with as little as 30 watts of power.

 

[dneiding]

convert them for leds

agree!!!

 

[zooba72]

Thanks for the replies - I agree that quality of these Fluorescent lights are far superior to what's offered at Lowes & Home Depot. The house was built in 1965 and it's very possible that these were installed around that time.

With regards to using LED ... Any recommendations on model/brand ? Is the stuff sold at Home Depot / Lowes any good ?

Something like this ?

8 ft. 4-Light White Industrial LED White Strip Light with T8 LED 5000K Tubes

https://www.homedepot.com/p/EnviroL...-with-T8-LED-5000K-Tubes-ST704T1850/300380331

 

[tfi racing]

Be sure to handle those ballasts carefully and dispose of them properly,they do contain highly toxic and dangerous PCB's.

 

[zooba72]

Yes, Thank you tfi_racing. I was looking at a PDF earlier from GE regarding PCBs in their Ballasts and the date code indicated on the ballasts appears to be from 1985 ('CY') - I think. So, I'm hoping these do not contain them. It's very possible the previous owners had to replace the ballasts at some point.

I will dispose of them as if they do contain them though. Appreciate you pointing that out.

 

[Bert_]

Those ballasts are definitely NOT from 1985. Ge discontinued the "Bonus Line" label quite a while before that I believe. Almost all non PCB ballasts will clearly state "NO PCB's".

I see no reason to throw these away. At least give them to someone who can use them.

 

[zooba72]

This is where I came to that conclusion: http://www.gelighting.com/LightingW...ng-Fluorescent-Lamp-Ballasts_tcm281-33708.pdf

The CY on the label of the Ballast is what I was referring to. Two of them are not labeled that way and I would have to suspect they do contain PCBs. I'm not tossing these in the garbage, I think I know someone who will make use of them. Thanks

 

[cybrdyke]

The only regulation from the EPA about disposal of old magnetic ballasts is if they are leaking the insulating compound, or tar. If it's not leaking, it's not a hazard, and you can just pitch it.
CD

 

[Bert_]

This is where I came to that conclusion: http://www.gelighting.com/LightingW...ng-Fluorescent-Lamp-Ballasts_tcm281-33708.pdf

The CY on the label of the Ballast is what I was referring to. Two of them are not labeled that way and I would have to suspect they do contain PCBs. I'm not tossing these in the garbage, I think I know someone who will make use of them. Thanks

Yea I've got that page bookmarked actually. The date code won't be on the paper label, it is stamped into the metal case. Usually on either the mounting feet (where it is screwed to the fixture) or on the back of the ballast.

I'm sure I've shared more info than anybody here wanted to know...

 

[zooba72]

I was hoping it was the code on the label - I didn't see anything on the back of the ballast but I'll have a closer look. They certainly look like they're way older than 1985 - and my original thought was the age of the house.