T8 Fixture Differences?

[nwav8tor]

Looking to buy 17 or so two-bulb 4' T8 wrap fixtures for the garage. Looking at Lowes and HD I've found three candidates:

Lowes $21 unit with a ballast rated at .65A

Lowes $30 unit with a .80A ballast

HD $32 unit with a .50A ballast


Why the difference in ballast ratings if they all power two 32W T8 bulbs?

Would a higher ballast rating mean the bulbs will be brighter or just that it's a less efficient ballast?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[forced induction]

I will be looking to buy a bunch of these also and I am looking forward to some expert opinions on these.

 

[Norcal]

I am partial to Lithonia LB series wraparounds.

 

[Steevo]

I agree with gerorjying . . .

 

[frankush]

I'll answer with a question. Why don't all 32" LED TV's draw the same amperage? Probably different ballast manufacturer for each fixture or a different ballast model. The one with the lowest "amperage" should be the cheapest to operate. Light output or lumens is more closely tied to the actual lamp you'll be using. Since you're looking at wrapaounds, I'd be more concerned with the thickness and quality of the plastic lense and the ease of finding a new replacement lense when it breaks.

 

[Greatbear]

A lot of the difference is due to the quality of electronics used in the ballast. Since nearly all T-8 ballasts are electronic, there are lots more components used together to make a ballast that need to be of high quality, and the design plays a big part as well. Many cheaper ballasts have a low power factor circuit design that draws more real-world power than one rated as high power factor. Commercial fixtures used in settings that include a large number of lights (think office spaces, stores, etc) are often high power factor.

 

[Random Guy]

Are all the ballasts high power factor?

 

[Familyof8kids]

No.

Ballast are rated in 3 types but there is always difference of opinions. It typically takes twice as many HPF ballast to equal one LPF Low Power Factor ballast. Using HPF High Power Factor ballast will allow you to have more fixtures on a circuit.

Low -Low Power Factor (LPF) typically have a power of .4 -.5 - 40% to 59%
Normal -Normal Power Factor (LPF) typically have a power of .6 -.8 - 60% to 89%
High - High Power Factor (HPF) must have a power of .9 - 90% or greater.

 

[nwav8tor]

I am partial to Lithonia LB series wraparounds.

any

Any major differences to the SB series? I didn't find much except the LB is about 2" wider and the shape of the diffuser.

SB 2-32 is $33 at HD, while the only LB 2-32 I could find was $50 for a multivolt unit. Anyone have a ballpark price for a 120v LB 2-32?

Paul