T12 Hanging to Mount

[7racecar7]

As part of my project for heating I'm putting up a ceiling and running into some question about lighting.

I currently have T12 8ft fixtures, I have 6 of them that are currently hardwired 3 on one switch 3 on the other, this is the way it was when i moved in.

They are hung by chains and hard wired to the 2x4s going across my ceiling in my pole barn.

Question is can I surface mount them? there are holes that look like you can and secondly do you just run the wire directly into the top of the fixture with the clamp connector? or do you need a junction box or something?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

It depends on the fixture. Some can't be surface mounted, (like mine). I think it has to do with ballast temperature. Mine are mounted directly to the joists, but I left an air gap above the fixture on the 2 that run parallel directly under the joist.

Tommy

 

[cybrdyke]

The ballasts get hot. Older T12 fixtures have magnetic ballasts that need to be cooled. You have two issues..the fixture is designed to use the metal body as a heat sink to move the heat from the ballast to the surrounding air, which cools it. Attaching it to wood can inhibit this cooling. And, the ballast will likely be attached to the metal right where you want to mount it to the wood. If it were to overheat, you could have an issue. You'd be better off if you could leave a space between the fixture and the ceiling...unless you intend to use a metal ceiling (but then you might create a hell of a buzzing issue).
Better still, since those T12's are virtually obsolete, pick up some new T8's that are rated for surface mounting and do it that way.
CD

 

[7racecar7]

It depends on the fixture. Some can't be surface mounted, (like mine). I think it has to do with ballast temperature. Mine are mounted directly to the joists, but I left an air gap above the fixture on the 2 that run parallel directly under the joist.

Tommy

how did you come out of the ceiling with the wire did you come out of a junction box to the fixture? with a center knockout or something? or run conduit under the ceiling or something else...

 

[7racecar7]

The ballasts get hot. Older T12 fixtures have magnetic ballasts that need to be cooled. You have two issues..the fixture is designed to use the metal body as a heat sink to move the heat from the ballast to the surrounding air, which cools it. Attaching it to wood can inhibit this cooling. And, the ballast will likely be attached to the metal right where you want to mount it to the wood. If it were to overheat, you could have an issue. You'd be better off if you could leave a space between the fixture and the ceiling...unless you intend to use a metal ceiling (but then you might create a hell of a buzzing issue).
Better still, since those T12's are virtually obsolete, pick up some new T8's that are rated for surface mounting and do it that way.
CD

thats the way t8 but looking to see if its something i can do down the line, my heat and ceiling are my expenses this winter....t8 just more money if i can skip this year and do next that would be best...if i can figure a way to get through it with the t12, ill look more into the balast of what i have....is a t8 a t8 or are there kevlvin?? ratings like led

 

[LS6 Tommy]

how did you come out of the ceiling with the wire did you come out of a junction box to the fixture? with a center knockout or something? or run conduit under the ceiling or something else...

I don't have a ceiling. I just ran MC from fixture to fixure.

Tommy

 

[cybrdyke]

...is a t8 a t8 or are there kevlvin?? ratings like led

There are Kelvin ratings for T8's, just like there are for LED's. The four main choices are 3000k, 3500k, 4000k, and 5000k. 3500 and 4000 are the most popular.
CD

 

[7racecar7]

Re: T12 Hanging to Mount Update

I took advice from somewhere on here and emailed the company: Looks like i can surface mount them:

Yes, the L 2 96 120 GEB can be surface mounted

from their tech support at acuity brands

Next question someone told me it may be a good idea to put them more so on the wall at an angle to light up the side of the cars more.

I work on stock cars and always using a drop light any one have them mounted in this way?

 

[cybrdyke]

You could do that if that suits your needs. Be aware that they will shine into your eyes alot more when you're not working on your cars. You will be looking right into them as you move around the space. It's not good for that.
CD