T-8's in a garage?
- Thread starter Ch3No2
- Start date
I just put up 16 8' t8 lamps in my garage. No sheet rock yet and the ceilings are 14ft high. I am at 1000 sqft and am happy with the amount of light that I have.
I just installed some new T8 fixtures. They are giving me some serious radio interference, I hope you don't suffer the same fate. One thing I did notice, when making the switch from shop lights to strip lights, the strip lights cast light up onto the ceiling too.
What brand ballast are you using? I don't believe the interference is the T8s, but ballast. Lighting experts - what do you think?
Andy Griffith
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My shop is 944 sq ft and I have 22, eight foot, four bulb T-8 fixtures with electronic ballasts. The radio interference is almost non-existent compared to the old T12 mag ballast fixtures, although I only listen to radio online these days which suffers no fading in and out with a varying signal.
Most importantly, the quality and amount of light put out by the T-8's is really nice compared to the old fixtures, no more dark spots and fewer shadows. It's a much more even and natural type of light. And finally, the electronic t-8's don't have the high pitched hum that the old T12 mag ballast lights had which would drive me out of the shop after about 4 hours.
Most importantly, the quality and amount of light put out by the T-8's is really nice compared to the old fixtures, no more dark spots and fewer shadows. It's a much more even and natural type of light. And finally, the electronic t-8's don't have the high pitched hum that the old T12 mag ballast lights had which would drive me out of the shop after about 4 hours.
I sure hope so as I am planning on using 15 of the same bulb / fixtures in my 1200 sq. ft. shop.
WOW !! I bet that place is lit up like day light .... I might have to rethink using 15 8' 2 bulb fixtures.
Salem747
Well-known member
I have a 31x24 and I have 3 8' T12 cold weather, high output double bulbs. http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/...Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber
I have the 90W bulbs an they chuck some light, light up quick and bright, even at -20 Celsius.
I have the 90W bulbs an they chuck some light, light up quick and bright, even at -20 Celsius.
I may be your guy.
In part of my garage, 24x~36 feet, I have 2 circuits with 3 double T-8 8 footers. So six eight foot bulbs on each circuit. Running both (12 bulbs) is overkill.
nate379
Banned
You must not be around when they get teh electric bill then!
You setup would run me about $0.05/hr
At 8hrs a day, it would be $12/month just for garage lights. That is about 1/4 of my normal bill!
You setup would run me about $0.05/hr
At 8hrs a day, it would be $12/month just for garage lights. That is about 1/4 of my normal bill!
LuckyRugger
Well-known member
I wouldn't buy any T12 lights, can't be manufactured after August 2010 (I think this is the correct month), along with magnetic ballast. So, it may be hard to find replacement bulbs and parts in the future. I'm working on changing out over 50,000 T12 fixtures to 4 bulb T8's and some will have motion detectors.
T8 use a F32 bulb, so they are only 32 watts each, much more efficient than T12's.
scooterseats
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2009
- Messages
- 100
Scooterseats,
Do you get any AM radio interference with your lights? If not, what ballast are you using? TIA.
I recently installed 18 twin bulb 4' T8 fixtures in my 1064sf 12' ceiling garage and it is an awesome improvement over what I had. I've been loving it!
But at times I now wish I had a little more light.
I may still add a few in key places on a separate switch bank in the future..
Once you taste having some good quality lighting your gonna want even more. At 1200sf I would probably add a few more.
But at times I now wish I had a little more light.
I may still add a few in key places on a separate switch bank in the future..
Once you taste having some good quality lighting your gonna want even more. At 1200sf I would probably add a few more.
Duane
Well-known member
Not true about T12. I just bought 3 8ft 2 bulb with electronic ballasts at home depot.
Duane
Duane
I have a 28X40 shop with 11ft celings that are painted white. I have 11 (there would be two more but thats were the bathroom is) 8ft fixtures with 4ft t8 bulbs in them all bought from Home Depo, my friends say it looks like a operating room its so bright