Need help picking T8 bulbs for my garage.

[Jamie V]

I just ordered my Lithonia strip lights yesterday and there are so many bulb choices. I'm pretty sure I want 5,000k for my color but I'm looking for the most lumens I can get out of them. I don't want to give up 1/2 the bulb life to gain 50 or 100 lumens but I want the most bang for the bulb.

 

[Jamie V]

Here are 3 I found that "seem" like a good choice


https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/56690/F-32L359.html

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/85813/PHILIPS-280891.html

https://www.commercialbulbs.com/item/3006

 

[outlawghia]

i just joined so take what i say with a grain of salt, but as far as bulb life if you buy a good brand of bulb like phillips,ge or sylivania and dont have your lights on 24 hours a day bulb life is not a issue. As far as 5000k I find that it tends to look a little blue and i think that 4200k is just a better color spectrum, but everyone tends to like something different.
another thing i have found is the light spectrum can look different between different manufactures even if they are the same color (ie 5000k)
If you are not sure buy enough bulbs to do one fixture and see what you like that way you are not stuck with a shop where you hate the lights, i do this all the time to people to find out what they really want.
yea i have probibly changed 1000 bulbs this year.

 

[Jamie V]

Thanks for the heads up about the color but I'm looking for more info about lumens.

 

[pattenp]

Of the 3 you listed l'd go with the Phillips. Mainly because of brand performance. The lumen difference is not much between those lamps.

 

[Dagny]

Have you thought about retro fitting LED ? We just finished a barn got the bulbs from Hong Kong 17.00 each.

 

[Coyote556]

F32t8/tl850 thats what I used and real happy with them

 

[pepi]

Philips 281568 - F32T8/TL850/ALTO - 32 Watt - T8 - 36,000 Hours - 2,850 Lumens - 5000K - 800 Series Phosphors

X2 white and bright, anything next to these look yellow.

Be advised you will have to order them, the Box stores will not have them, at least around here they do not.

 

[Jamie V]

Have you thought about retro fitting LED ? We just finished a barn got the bulbs from Hong Kong 17.00 each.

Yes, but the lumen output of the LED bulbs aren't even close. So not an option as of now. Besides I'm not in the garage every day so the energy I could save would never pay for the bulb price difference.

F32t8/tl850 thats what I used and real happy with them

Philips 281568 - F32T8/TL850/ALTO - 32 Watt - T8 - 36,000 Hours - 2,850 Lumens - 5000K - 800 Series Phosphors

X2 white and bright, anything next to these look yellow.

Be advised you will have to order them, the Box stores will not have them, at least around here they do not.

What is the difference between those and my second link?

Philips 280891 - F32T8/ADV850/ALTO

 

[kj_mustang]

I used the Phillips Model # 281998, Natural light, 5000k, 2850 Lumens in my garage and I like them. I have white metal walls and ceiling.

 

[Jamie V]

All these Philips bulbs look just like the one I listed but just a little less lumen output.

 

[brian1210]

I have 24 by 36 by 10 foot tall garage, I install 4 of these lights. I like them, I'm surprised on the brightness level of them. I know they are not t8 and you can not replace anything so they are throw away.

http://m.costco.com/4’-LED-Shop-Light-with-Chain-2-pack.product.100223617.html

 

[Jamie V]

After finding out that the Sylvania, Philips, and GE bulbs are made here in the US that narrowed my choices a bunch. After doing more research I think I'm going with



Sylvania 21660

FO32/850/XPS/ECO3



Initial Lumens 3100

Mean Lumens 2914

Lumens per Watt 97

CCT 5000K

CRI 81



Instant Start

3 hrs/start 24,000

12 hrs/start 40,000



Programmed Rapid Start

3 hrs/start 40,000

12 hrs/start 42,000







The supply house I got my Lithonia strip lights from already sold my Sylvania brand lamps so if I can get them there at a reasonable price that will make it much better knowing I can get them locally.

 

[Jamie V]

Got a price from the supply house of $4.25 each (not sure how good that is) but I have to buy boxes of 30. I need 36 lamps so I'll have 24 extra if I go this route.