I recently bought at auction 24 simkar 4 ft t5 ho 6 tube high bay fixtures. I am planning to use them in my shop, the ceiling is 15 feet will they be to much light? Is to much light possible? The reflectors are adjustable I'm assuming to disperse light better. Any advantage other than amp draw to running them on 240v?
Simkar t5 ho fixtures
- Thread starter plout99
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alfredeneuman
Well-known member
If you afraid of "too much light" you can control the lighting level with switches
In any residential property, the lighting limit in the Electrical Code is 120V.
If your shop is zoned as commercial then it does not apply
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I've used some Simkar fixtures. Their quality is way beyond bad.
(We had to ask our supplier not to send them anymore.)
They recently had to file for bankruptcy.
In any residential property, the lighting limit in the Electrical Code is 120V.
If your shop is zoned as commercial then it does not apply
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I've used some Simkar fixtures. Their quality is way beyond bad.
(We had to ask our supplier not to send them anymore.)They recently had to file for bankruptcy.
If you afraid of "too much light" you can control the lighting level with switches
In any residential property, the lighting limit in the Electrical Code is 120V.
If your shop is zoned as commercial then it does not apply
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I've used some Simkar fixtures. Their quality is way beyond bad.
They recently had to file for bankruptcy.
What did you find to be lacking in quality? I'm only out $11.50 for the pallet of 24 if they don't last but I'm guessing I could retrofit to led if the quality issues are ballasts and such. The shop is ag use no inspection, so I would have to decide if I wanted to ignore code or not.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Ill fitting parts. Flimsy sharp sheet metal, pieces missing when shipped, badly finished parts (mainly reflectors). Falling apart when bumped very slightly after installation.
Labeled as being from Pa, but as cheap a construction as any **** I've seen out of China.
You might find 6 lamps to be too much. But, there will be two ballasts in each fixture, most likely a 2-lamp ballast and a 4-lamp ballast. The 4 lamp ballast should have the ability to switch between 2 lamps and 4 lamps (look for a random gray wire). This will give you the ability to operate either 2, 4, or all 6 of the lamps depending on how you wire it to the wall switches.
You can wire in wall switches that will allow you to do this based on what you happen to be doing in the space. Or you can just remove the 2 lamp ballast and only have 4 lamp capability. Dont leave a ballast in place if you aren't gonna have tubes on it.
If you choose to bypass the ballasts and use LED tubes, then you'll be able to put in the number of tubes that you want to. Just wire up all the sockets so that they all function, but only put in the amount of tubes that you need.
You can wire in wall switches that will allow you to do this based on what you happen to be doing in the space. Or you can just remove the 2 lamp ballast and only have 4 lamp capability. Dont leave a ballast in place if you aren't gonna have tubes on it.
If you choose to bypass the ballasts and use LED tubes, then you'll be able to put in the number of tubes that you want to. Just wire up all the sockets so that they all function, but only put in the amount of tubes that you need.
Good information to know thanks, I probably won't use led. All the fixtures came with tubes and an extra 2 cases and claimed were all working when removed for LED upgrade. LED is more efficient but the lights will be lucky to get 12-15 hours a week run time
I like the t5 high output. Nothing wrong with keeping them fluorescent.
I would definitely use two different switches. One for the two lamp ballast in each fixture and one for the four lamp ballast in each fixture. It works like a crude dimmer but is very effective. It's a bit more work but worthwhile.
I would definitely use two different switches. One for the two lamp ballast in each fixture and one for the four lamp ballast in each fixture. It works like a crude dimmer but is very effective. It's a bit more work but worthwhile.
They may well be multi-voltage and able to run on 120v. We have a bunch of the same style(unknown brand)in a friends shop at about the same height and they are fine. Also have a bunch of 6 tube lights with a clear plastic cover at about 8' and those are fine as well.
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