T12 For T8 Ballast; Swapping

[D45]

I have the following lights in my shop:

(7) of the 4' long, 2 bulbs fixtures

(6) of the 4' long, 1 bulbs fixtures


To save some money, I was thinking about swapping ALL the old T12 ballasts out for new T8 ballasts

Same end terminal connections for the bulbs on the fixtures, right?

Anything I should look for or consider when shopping or new T8 ballasts?

Ebay has some dirt cheap deals............what about ballast brands?

Good idea.......or are all new fixtures a good idea with reflective inserts?

I have though about getting rid of all the single tube fixtures and adding in more dual bulbs fixtures

Are 4 bulb fixtures overkill?

 

[D45]

A 30 pack (32W) of 48" T8 bulbs are only $54

$1.80 per bulb is not bad

Buying them individually they are $2.98 each

•4100K
•24000 hours
•2800 lumens

 

[alfredeneuman]

I have the following lights in my shop:

(7) of the 4' long, 2 bulbs fixtures

(6) of the 4' long, 1 bulbs fixtures


To save some money, I was thinking about swapping ALL the old T12 ballasts out for new T8 ballasts

Same end terminal connections for the bulbs on the fixtures, right?

Anything I should look for or consider when shopping or new T8 ballasts?

Ebay has some dirt cheap deals............what about ballast brands?

T12 lampholders have 2 terminals for wiring connections. A T8 lampholder has just 1.
It's a simple thing to convert. All you've got to do is splice the 2 wires of the T12 lampholder to the single ballast lead.

I'd suggest you get a name brand ballast like Advance or Magnetek. There are some REALLY unreliable cheaply built Chi-com ballasts on the market.

 

[D45]

What's the pros opinion..........

Time/money spent redoing all the fixtures versus money spent on new fixtures?

Are the fixtures with the reflective inserts that much better?

I have no idea on the current age or condition of the current T12 fixtures......other than they fire and light up when they want to. They look to be all white, no reflective inserts

 

[alfredeneuman]

Both Time & Money can be saved by just retrofitting the fixture with new ballasts.


Just be sure to clean the reflective white surfaces well, with some detergent and water (Simple Green makes that easy). Reflective inserts are nice and all, but I wouldn't personally put them in.

 

[cybrdyke]

Determing whether it's worth it or not depends mostly on 2 things: the total hours that the lights will be ON, and the rate that you pay for electricity. The higher both of those numbers are, the more sense it makes.
Plus, you'll notice a big difference in brightness with the brand new tubes, especially if you clean up the fixtures.
CD

 

[D45]

Swapping ballasts sounds and seems cost effective right now........as easy as killing the power, removing the T12 ballast, and connecting in the T8?

Talk with me about the 2 wire to 1 wire splice

 

[alfredeneuman]

You can just actually cut and strip the 2 wires going to the T12 lampholders, a little ways from the lampholder, and splice them with wirenuts to the single lead of the T8 ballast.

 

[D45]

Thanks for the info

I am going to see if I can find any fixtures are Habitat For Humanity

My friend said they have 2-3 bulb, 4 foot T8 fixtures for $15!

 

[D45]

These are $5 each............is this what I need:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/lot-of-ten-...046?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339a8d6dce