T5 Feedback

[Mac]

I put up a 40x60x16 shop and am considering using 6 tube reflectored T5 High Bays. Anyone have any experiance with light output from these guys? They're 54 watts each and I would expect near daylight with 8 fixtures but wanna get my moneys worth and would use more if needed. They come with tubes and a 5 year warranty and look hard to beat.

 

[jefflips]

We are replacing all of our High output shop lights with T5 fixtures at work. They are great. The T5 fixture is a dual input 120/208. They put out alot more light and use less electricity, so much so that the pay back will be within one year. We have had 2 new lights not work when installed, called the company and they sent us new lights within a week. Cant beat it. Check with you local power company to see if there are any rebates for installing the T5 fixtures. Saved alot of money off the price of a new fixture.
Good suggestion if you work in a shop with high output lights.

 

[Norcal]

We are replacing all of our High output shop lights with T5 fixtures at work. They are great. The T5 fixture is a dual input 120/208. They put out alot more light and use less electricity, so much so that the pay back will be within one year. We have had 2 new lights not work when installed, called the company and they sent us new lights within a week. Cant beat it. Check with you local power company to see if there are any rebates for installing the T5 fixtures. Saved alot of money off the price of a new fixture.
Good suggestion if you work in a shop with high output lights.

Input voltages are usally 120/277, since 120 volts & 277 volts are the most common voltages for lighting.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

T5's are getting better every day. Early versions had lots of heating problems and ballast failures from everything I read, new versions are apparently much more durable and they have versions designed to operate in high heat environments (way up high in non-airconditioned warehouses, etc). A 6 tube T5 fixture will provide about the same light as a 400 watt MH, probably a little more. The 400 watt MH draws 4 amps at 120 volts or 480 watts. A 6 tube T5 draws about 3.1 or so amps at 120 volts, 372 watts or thereabouts. Yes, the savings is there, but not as much as the "cutting energy savings in half" that some of the lighting manufactures would have you think from their claims.

I noticed the Lowes in the area removed their 400w MH and installed 6 tube T8 fixtures. Sounds like they didn't want to take a chance on the T5's, or didn't want to spend the money up front. Dunno.

If you have the money, go for it. A 6 tube T5 fixture is about $200. I would still be without lights if I had to use them. I ended up using used probe start 400 watt MH fixtures with acrylic reflectors, bought used for $40 each. If I get rich later on, I'll change them out. Mine are all plug and cord and hanging on a hook, easy swap.

Charles

 

[jefflips]

Norcal you are correct it is 120-277.

 

[Aceman]

A 6 tube T5 fixture is about $200.

I priced a 6 lamp T5HO ballast the other day=$98.
Add six lamps at about $5 apiece and it's $130 to repair one fixture. I was a little surprised it was so high. I think I can do a lowbay for about $100 with ballast and lamp.

They do seem to be all the rage now, we have one dairy that has several hundred 400w MH lowbays in it that's looking to changeover. With the government rebates and tax incentives, they say the payoff is pretty quick. I have a hard time believing they'll be as durable as a MH, I'm worried the first lightening strike/power surge is going to smoke a bunch of those electronic ballasts. Where as the MH seem to just take it and keep on going.

 

[HIRISC]

I have nine, 4 bulb T5 fixtures in my garage. 3 wide - 3 deep configuration

18' high, 24 x 40 coverage area.. It's like daytime in there.

 

[Mac]

I have six, 6 bulb T5 fixtures in my garage. 2 wide - 3 deep configuration

18' high, 24 x 40 coverage area.. It's like daytime in there.

Thanks for the comeback

If you could do it over again, would you stick with the T5's?

 

[T VETTE]

I have six, 6 bulb T5 fixtures in my garage. 2 wide - 3 deep configuration

18' high, 24 x 40 coverage area.. It's like daytime in there.

 

[Vinko]

T5's are getting better every day. Early versions had lots of heating problems and ballast failures from everything I read, new versions are apparently much more durable and they have versions designed to operate in high heat environments (way up high in non-airconditioned warehouses, etc). A 6 tube T5 fixture will provide about the same light as a 400 watt MH, probably a little more. The 400 watt MH draws 4 amps at 120 volts or 480 watts. A 6 tube T5 draws about 3.1 or so amps at 120 volts, 372 watts or thereabouts. Yes, the savings is there, but not as much as the "cutting energy savings in half" that some of the lighting manufactures would have you think from their claims.

Thanks for the info. Speaking of cutting light bill in half, I've almost done so by use of skylights in a warehouse with 40' ceilings. Painted white walls in strategic areas, windows put into walls in hallways and rooms and ceilings.

I've changed a few T8 over to T5.

I did wonder the other day, how effective the bent sheet metal reflecting the light downward is. That is, how much more light and savings I get. I've got a lot of housings from the 50's that I've been repairing (unbending) and painting a gloss white. Another topic I suppose.

 

[hyvolt]

Check out e-conolight.com. They have some of the best pricing out there. All the t-5ho fixtures are made in america.

 

[HIRISC]

My T-5 fixtures are actually 4 bulb versions, not 6. Plenty bright.

As you can see, when it comes to light, more is more for me

 

[HIRISC]

Thanks for the comeback

If you could do it over again, would you stick with the T5's?

Absolutely, I don't believe T8's would be nearly as bright at that height.

BTW, my fixtures are actually 4 bulbs each and there are 9 of them, not 6.. (editing original post).

I guess I don't look up very much - LOL

Right before sheetrock went up - from my neighbors unit.

 

[Mac]

Looks like a "Garage Town " unit ..... Nice !!

 

[DURAMAT]

Talked with my wifes boss (lighting engineer) not to long ago regarding T8's and T5's. T8's do better in cold temps then the T5's. Both put out about the same lumens the kicker is that there is a big push to go greener and by going T5's you use less phospher and glass material in the manufacturing of them.

Aceman I wouldn't worry to much about the spikes affecting T8's more than the MH setups. Your MH fixtures still have a ballast and starter/capacitors that burn up as well.

Vinko the reflectors would help in a high ceiling application, but if they are surfaced mounted on the ceiling and it's painted white then they're not going to do much given white is over 90% reflective for light and it's doing the same thing. Any dust/dirt/dark floor or walls (darker interior paints) will take away lighting. Many don't know that

We recommended HO T12's back in the day for garages and and cold enviroments but anymore the T8'/T5's with electronic ballasts make do just as well and better (cheaper) they'll be the way I'll go when I build my shop (I hope soon)

 

[HIRISC]

Looks like a "Garage Town " unit ..... Nice !!

Similar:
www.automotorplex.com

 

[Furious D]

We have seem to have a high rate of failures with the T5's at work. Over our weld shop around 60 fixtures were installed and within a year I had to replace around 20 ballast and a case of lamps. Those twist-lock lamp holders used on the t5's can be a pain also, they tend to jam up and you end up breaking the lampholder to get the bulb out.

I'd guess a lot of these failures are due to heat. It usually runs around 120 degrees in the summer there. I do like the light output however. Changing from the old 400 Watt Metal Halides to the T5's really made an old dreary shop a friendlier place to work.

 

[Vinko]

Vinko the reflectors would help in a high ceiling application, but if they are surfaced mounted on the ceiling and it's painted white then they're not going to do much given white is over 90% reflective for light and it's doing the same thing. Any dust/dirt/dark floor or walls (darker interior paints) will take away lighting. Many don't know that

Thanks. I started cleaning most of the fixtures themselves as well as the ceilings, and some of the walls, and I'm amazed how much brighter everything is.

I've got another question, and maybe I should start another thread about it, or do a search , but: the clear or clear-patterned acrylic (and other material) panels that go over my T-5 and T-8's in some of the dropped ceiling areas: they're necessary to help dissipate the heat during the summer, and seem not to prohibit too much light (as far as I can see), but I've been wondering, given all the diff. materials out there, and patterns (some of which seem to "magnify" the light), if one was more desirable than others. I personally don't like them, or the added expense of having to replace them when the start to "yellow" but my father likes them, so I've got little choice. McMaster-Carr's catalog has a 1/2 page write up on the differences among them, so I'm going through that right now, but since I need at least 20 new ones, I've found HD has slightly better prices. According to McMaster, the newer Acrylic panels won't yellow. But we'll see...

 

[Flathead Youngin']

Well, ****, after the other thread I had decided on the T8's. I called a buddy, that called a buddy and lined up what could be a smokin' deal on T8 fixtures and bulbs....not sure if they are used take outs or not....even then, it doesn't matter. They're cheap.

Are there Federal tax rebates on the T5's? If so, that could be a game changer. How much less electricity do the T5's use compared to the T8's?

I stopped past my local supply shop and they quoted me $156 per 6 bulb fixture and with the bulbs you'd be pushing a tad over $200 each!

They had them installed in their back warehouse and the lighting was pretty good considering how large the space was. They had them spaced, I was just guess, about 12' a part.....longitudinal and latitudinal.....

Like I said, tax rebates may change the game and I might ask my smokin' good deal guy if he can get T5's. I'd say the T8's he offered were removed for an upgrade to T8's......just guessing....

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'd guess a lot of these failures are due to heat. It usually runs around 120 degrees in the summer there. I do like the light output however.

There is a newer T5 ballast that is designed to operate in a high temp environment. You would want to be sure and get it for any future replacements.

Charles

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Well, ****, after the other thread I had decided on the T8's. I called a buddy, that called a buddy and lined up what could be a smokin' deal on T8 fixtures and bulbs....not sure if they are used take outs or not....even then, it doesn't matter. They're cheap.

Are there Federal tax rebates on the T5's? If so, that could be a game changer. How much less electricity do the T5's use compared to the T8's?

For a home shop you wouldn't go wrong with T8's, especially if the price is right. T8's are the "defacto standard" and you wouldn't like the price of T5 bulbs when the time comes to change them.

Tax rebates off of full priced new ones will not come close to what used cheap ones will be.

Charles

 

[malibutwins]

I have 10ft ceilings my friend just gave me a great deal on 4- 4 bulb t5 fixtures the garage is 26x28 will this be to much light?

 

[kleinergti1]

I just moved into a newer shop that had poor lighting. So i bought 15 t-5 high-bay 6bulb units with the higher Kelvin bulbs from contractor lighting dot com. It is daylight in there now.