T12 to T8 problem??

[homebuilt burner]

I am building a shed/garage/wood shop. I have a set of T12 lights that I got free from a take out years ago. I thought I would use those and not have to buy lights. So I install and turn the switch on and 1 out of 4 works so I decide must be ballasts and as long as I'm changing might as well change to T8s and do all 4(since T8 are supposed to be cheaper to run). Now to last night, I hooked up 4 new ballasts and 8 new bulbs throw the switch and they light up but I don't think they are right but it was only @35 degrees in the shop as the heat isn't on yet. The lights have one wire from each bulb on one end and two wires for each bulb on the other. I hooked the two wires from one bulb end to one of the blue wires from the ballast and the two wires from the other bulb holder on the same end to the other blue wire of the ballast. On the other end I hooked both single wires from each bulb together with the red wire from the ballast. Did I hook them up wrong? That seemed to be the wiring schem. Or did I miss something else.

The lights did come on right away, but not very bright and some had that purple haze running around inside. I shut it down turned the breaker off and went in the house for a beer.

 

[94EG8]

Were they brand new tubes? They take a little while, to burn in, I never actually stood and watched, but within half an hour, probably significantly less they'll come up to full brightness.

 

[ExxWhy]

The ballast should have a wiring diagram and it won't necessarily be the same as the way the fixtures are wired. Double check.

 

[YeahPete]

Take out ballast and convert to LED

 

[Mustang51js]

Give them time to warm up

 

[nadogail]

Cold starts can be a real problem with fluorescents. Particularly with brand new tubes.

Give them a little more time. I have rubbed fluorescents with my hand to help them warm up and get going.

 

[rockwithjason]

The ballast should have a wiring diagram and it won't necessarily be the same as the way the fixtures are wired. Double check.

this. you have to follow the diagram on the ballast. if you are converting from t12 lamps this will require changing the way the tomb stones are wired

 

[homebuilt burner]

Thanks guys. I actually changed the wiring around last night and they are better but I haven't had time to leave them on and let the really warm up.