Leeboy20
Well-known member
I was offered a bunch of 3 bulb light fixtures from a t-bar ceiling office ...I was wondering if these are any good, or should i save up and get the proper ones that most people use. 30x28 with 10 1/2 foot ceilings....
T-Bar Ceiling Light Fixtures
- Thread starter Leeboy20
- Start date
travisd
Well-known member
Check to see what voltage the lights require... some Office fixtures are designed to run on, I think, 477 volts.
tfi racing
Well-known member
Yep,have a look at the ballasts first-they could be 120 or 277 or 347 volt.If you have to replace them,your free lights won't be free...
tfi racing
Well-known member
If you can live with the appearance of them versus the price of new fixtures,I would say go for it,and use the savings like I do-more race car parts and beer!
dipper
Well-known member
That's what i used in my shop. I have 4' cooper metallux parabolic fixtures, five 2-bulb
and three 3-bulb, and one 2'x2'. Some of mine were 277v, and ended up replacing
all of the ballasts with new. Some 277v ballasts can be re-wired to 110 as well.
I am now in the process of putting in the drop ceiling framing so soon my garage
will be looking sweet.
I have $80 into all my lighting. I installed line cords coming out of each one with a plug on the end so they could plug right into outlets i put in the ceiling that are on the lighting circuit.
and three 3-bulb, and one 2'x2'. Some of mine were 277v, and ended up replacing
all of the ballasts with new. Some 277v ballasts can be re-wired to 110 as well.
I am now in the process of putting in the drop ceiling framing so soon my garage
will be looking sweet.
I have $80 into all my lighting. I installed line cords coming out of each one with a plug on the end so they could plug right into outlets i put in the ceiling that are on the lighting circuit.
dipper
Well-known member
yup, those are just like mine. I think for a 30x28 shop you'd want to get at least
20 or so. Best thing to do would make up a scale drawing and lay it out to see
how many, or take everything he'll give you and sell off the rest.
Those lights new are probably in the 80 - 100 each range.
Are you planning on putting up a drop ceiling in your shop?
Too bad you weren't closer, I'd buy a couple off of you.
20 or so. Best thing to do would make up a scale drawing and lay it out to see
how many, or take everything he'll give you and sell off the rest.
Those lights new are probably in the 80 - 100 each range.
Are you planning on putting up a drop ceiling in your shop?
Too bad you weren't closer, I'd buy a couple off of you.
You think 20 lights??? That would probly require another breaker added....I was hoping to get away with 8-10..... I found a deal at Canadian tire for 2 bulb-4 footers...I have a raincheck for $14.99 each.....Heres the link.....
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...206P/48-in.+Fluorescent+Shop+Light%2C+T12.jsp
.Maybe 10 of these would light the shop up better than 20 t-bar fixtures? I dont plan on putting a dropped ceiling, wanted to screw them directly to the ceiling....Which way would you guys go?
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...206P/48-in.+Fluorescent+Shop+Light%2C+T12.jsp
.Maybe 10 of these would light the shop up better than 20 t-bar fixtures? I dont plan on putting a dropped ceiling, wanted to screw them directly to the ceiling....Which way would you guys go?
dipper
Well-known member
you could screw them to the ceiling or hang them from chains.
These lights would be superior to anything you'd get for 15 bux. Less EMI interference since they will have electronics ballasts in them.
Do you have a finished ceiling (drywall or osb?) yet or is it just open?
These lights would be superior to anything you'd get for 15 bux. Less EMI interference since they will have electronics ballasts in them.
Do you have a finished ceiling (drywall or osb?) yet or is it just open?
Nuit Damnant
Well-known member
I have 12 of those lights myself that I got for free when I worked construction. I like them but there's 2 in my woodshop in the basement, really I could use 1 more. It's a 10x20 room. But it is dark in there. Unpainted block walls and unfinished ceiling. I imagine a finished room in white would appear much brighter. My garage is 24x24 with a 12x20 "sideways bay." plan is to use 3 in the 12x20 and 3 over each bay of the garage. Hopefully by spring I'll let you know 
interested to see how yours turns out. TIP: GET AS MANY AS YOU CAN. I had a chance to get 40-50 that were goin in the dumpster,,,I took 15 and have given 3 away to a friend. I KNOW I could've found a place for 50
interested to see how yours turns out. TIP: GET AS MANY AS YOU CAN. I had a chance to get 40-50 that were goin in the dumpster,,,I took 15 and have given 3 away to a friend. I KNOW I could've found a place for 50 Well, heres my thinking..... I could go with 6 of those 8 footers with the shield that are commercial and would cost me $60 canadian plus bulbs....I know these are proper for a shop. Or i could go with as many of these t-bar things for free. So, i could do it the right way for about $400 and be sure i did it right or, chance putting the t-bar things up and not being happy and re-doing it....Ok, final poll....What is the best way? Heres a basic layout for my shop
tfi racing
Well-known member
If the free lights were cheapo troffers with those flimsy,yellowing lenses,I would pass and get the industrials.Since these are the more expensive ones with aluminum diffusers,I would likely go with them and trim the perimeter with wood or MDF to improve the apperance.Too bad the damn ferry is too much,I would come out to Kamloops and grab some for myself!
I decided to go with Lithonia 8 foot industrial ( 4 t-8 bulbs) with white shields.... I went to a electrcial wholesale and i got them for $64 each, and $2.02 per 4 foot t-8 lamp. Instant on and quite. I called another electrical wholesale and they wanted $90 for the same thing....