Replacing T12 Ballast

[Spudland_Dave]

What should I be looking for in a ballast....I've never had to change one. I've only had one fixture go bad and I just swapped the whole thing out (cheap 19 buck fixture)
Only reason I think I'll change one is A) The fixture is an older one...probably as old as I am, and thusly is extremely well built...ANNNNDDDDD I've literally got close to 100 brand new in box T12 bulbs.

I know its old tech, so I'm probably over thinking this...Quick google to see if they even still exist came back with this one...and my HD has 7 in stock.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-4-ft-2-Lamp-120-Volt-T12-Electronic-Replacement-Ballast-GE240RS120R-DIY/203545350#.Up0v-tGA3Gg

 

[dittle fart around]

Looks good. Follow the wiring diagram on the ballast. Some older fixtures might be wired differently. Older non-electronic ballast heat up and have a thick black tare like insulation. Make sure to check the old one for PCB's. It will be listed on the manufacture's label. If it's full of PCB's by all means don't eat it. Take it to your local hazardous material recycler.

 

[ForceFed70]

Efficiency on a T8 is significantly better than the T12. I know you've already got lots of T12 lamps but I'd strongly recommend you go with a T8 retrofit. T8's also start a lot faster and handle cold weather much better.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Efficiency on a T8 is significantly better than the T12. I know you've already got lots of T12 lamps but I'd strongly recommend you go with a T8 retrofit. T8's also start a lot faster and handle cold weather much better.

These are in my basement...so temps never get below 55 even without heat down there....AND aren't used all that much so buying a Ballast & Bulbs, I'd never get payback.

 

[Gary S]

I'd just throw it away and buy a new fixture. All my new fixtures with solid state ballasts work with either T8 or T12 lamps, so you can get a new fixture and use up your old T12 lamps. Just read the box before you buy a fixture.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Installing a new electronic ballast is easy and cheap compared to buying a new quality fixture. electronic T8 ballasts also work T12 lamps, so the conversion is a no brainer.

My local Habitat for Humanity ReStore got a bunch of inventory from a electric supply house. Its current stuff, so I guess they went out of business. All Flo lamps were $1.75 so I bought up a bunch of T5HO lamps, cool white, (50 bulbs total) and they have a mixed assortment of electronic ballast. Some were a brand name I didn't know, but I needed a 2 lamp T8 and those were Phillips/Advance. Works great. Spent more time cleaning the fixture than anything, and more money on the new tombstones than the ballast ($4.50).

Dave, you can get a T8/T12 electronic ballast for the same price or close to it. How many do you need?

Older non-electronic ballast heat up and have a thick black tare like insulation. Make sure to check the old one for PCB's. It will be listed on the manufacture's label. If it's full of PCB's by all means don't eat it. Take it to your local hazardous material recycler.

Even without the PCB's the local salvage yard won't take them. They say there is more tar than metal in them, and don't want them.

Charles

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Installing a new electronic ballast is easy and cheap compared to buying a new quality fixture. electronic T8 ballasts also work T12 lamps, so the conversion is a no brainer.

My local Habitat for Humanity ReStore got a bunch of inventory from a electric supply house. Its current stuff, so I guess they went out of business. All Flo lamps were $1.75 so I bought up a bunch of T5HO lamps, cool white, (50 bulbs total) and they have a mixed assortment of electronic ballast. Some were a brand name I didn't know, but I needed a 2 lamp T8 and those were Phillips/Advance. Works great. Spent more time cleaning the fixture than anything, and more money on the new tombstones than the ballast ($4.50).

Dave, you can get a T8/T12 electronic ballast for the same price or close to it. How many do you need?

I happened to be in Lowes yesterday to grab some ZEP Cleaner for the wife and I ended up picking up this ballast:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_394486-14361-RELB2S40N64I_0__?Ntt=394486&UserSearch=394486&productId=4774583&rpp=32
I was HOPING TO find a T8/T12 ballast like I've heard exists but they didn't have any on the shelf. Havent installed it because I might hit my electic supply to see if they have a T8 or T12 ballast and what cost. But again, with a brand new box of 30 Alto T12 bulbs sitting in my basement, the new electronic ballast will probably need replacement before I need more bulbs.
I only need 1 ballast at the moment....15 bux is cheaper then a cheap fixture, and the fixtures I have are made with sheet metal thicker then my Craftsman tool box was made with, so I really rather not get rid of these, even if the ballast alone was more money then a new fixture. Over in the workshop side of my basement I have some T8 fixtures, and on those I just chuck & replace the fixture because the fixtures were nothing to brag about to begin with.

 

[Zrxpilot]

Tough crowd here if your using T-12 anything. FWIW, I put up new T-8/12 8' HO's in my garage and they work just fine with 110w T12 bulbs (when you put the bulb in right). 3 of them lit up a 18 x 60 nicely. Sounds like I cant get 8' T8 bulbs for it so not sure that it matters. Havent looked that hard tho.

In my last garage I had similar lighting with old style ballasts and they are still burning today as far as I know. I put them in 8 years ago. Same deal as you. Had nice heavy fixtures and plenty of spare bulbs. Not sure how long these new electronic ballasts will last but I did buy a spare just in case.

There is no way a hobbiest is going to notice a significant change in his electric bill no matter what light you put in there.

Put in what you want. For what you will have invested in this system, you are out nothing but time.

 

[sloppy]

Just follow the drawing on the ballast.. the newer electronic T12 ballasts will far out perform what you are replacing.. So going to the T8 when you have a supply of bulbs for a homeowner is not a savings.