t12 / 8 foot conversion options?

[just1more]

When I built my shop 8 or 10 years ago, I bought used 8 foot fluorescent fixtures that were removed from a store. They use the single pin T12 tube. The lights have worked fine... until a year or so ago. I now have quite a few that are not working. And... it sounds like they are phasing these tubes out.

I need to start repairing or replacing them. I would prefer to upgrade the existing fixtures to a newer electronic ballast and tubes, if possible. Can I upgrade these fixtures to the T8 ballast? Do they make a single pin T8/ 8 foot tube that would work with my existing lamp holders/ or do they need to be replaced as well?

any ideas what my best options are? (cost /light output / etc.) ....btw, I have around 25 fixtures that will eventually need attention.

here is pic I happened to have that shows some of the fixtures when they were all working...

 

[Norcal]

8', T8 lamps are considerably more expensive then 4', I would look at kits to convert them to 4-4' T8 lamps or just replace them w/ 8', 4 lamp tandem fixtures. To add to the comment about the cost of 8' VS 4' lamps, 4-4' T8 lamps are cheaper then 1- 8' lamp.

 

[gatorgrabber]

I converted the five 8' dual bulb lamp fixtures in my garage a couple of months ago and couldn't be more pleased. I picked up the T8 conversion parts (bulb holders and ballasts) at my local supply company. I went with single pin 8' bulbs instead of dual pins. The entire conversion took just a bit more that 1 hr to do all five fixtures. Remove the ballast, pop the old bulb holders out, snap the new ones in, attach new ballast, reattach wires and you're good to go. For bulbs, I went with HO units; I like to cast a shadow in my work area!

 

[Mustang51js]

Not sure where they get their bulbs from but the supply house sells t8 8ft bulbs for $6 each,and yes you can just change the ballast,and get single pin t8 bulbs

 

[btlegacy]

We just went through the same thing at work and figured up that it would cost about $26 per fixture to convert them plus we would have to use the less common 8 foot T8. We were able to get the 4 bulb 8 foot T8 Fixtures below for $36 with 10% off coupon and just do a straight swap

8ft T8 Fixture

 

[cybrdyke]

OP, the lamp you seek is a F96T8. Commonly available. The ballast is gonna have a 259 in the part number, ie: Advance ballast ICN2P59 , also common. The swap is simple, just follow the wiring diagram because there is a small difference.
CD

 

[just1more]

Thanks for the info! I will start to research the options.... with 25 fixtures to eventually update, its probably going to be an ongoing project.

 

[kfsinc]

Looks like you have the light question answered - now to the important stuff.

Looks like a mid 60's CC Mustang? Several friends in Wisconsin had those growing up. That one looks to be in very good shape! What motor?

 

[just1more]

Looks like you have the light question answered - now to the important stuff.

Looks like a mid 60's CC Mustang? Several friends in Wisconsin had those growing up. That one looks to be in very good shape! What motor?

Yep, It is 69 Mustang- powered by a transplanted 350 Chevy... I have a "few" old 60's Correct Crafts around. Gotta love the old inboards!!

 

[just1more]

Thanks for all the input! ... I bit the bullet and ended up buying twenty one new fixtures. I decided to go with the 4 lamp, T8 , 8 foot fixtures. They were on sale at good ol' Menards for about 30 bucks each. Besides the fixtures being on sale, the 4 foot / T8 tubes are about half the price of using the 8 foot tubes.... plus easier to handle.

...now to get time to start installing them....

 

[gatorgrabber]

It'll we worth the effort!