johno
Well-known member
Is the T8 a different fixture than a standard flourescent light or is it just a different tube?
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T8 question
- Thread starter johno
- Start date
Gary S
Well-known member
My new fixtures accept either T8 or T10 lamps. They have electronic ballasts. I have a few older fixtures with the magnetic ballasts that take only T10 lamps.
I believe the ballast dictates what lamps work.
I believe the ballast dictates what lamps work.
My new fixtures accept either T8 or T10 lamps. They have electronic ballasts. I have a few older fixtures with the magnetic ballasts that take only T10 lamps.
I believe the ballast dictates what lamps work.
T10 lamps are a oddity T12's are a lot more common.
Gary S
Well-known member
You are right. I meant T12, not T10.
tfi racing
Well-known member
Physically,all the dimensions and sockets are pretty much the same.The differences are the tube itself,the ballast and depending on the age of the ballast perhaps a slight difference in wiring.
Mr_fixit
Well-known member
t-8's are usually wired differently that t-12's . You can replace an old t-12 ballast with a t-8 ballast if you rewire the sockets correctly. .
t-8's are usually wired differently that t-12's . You can replace an old t-12 ballast with a t-8 ballast if you rewire the sockets correctly. .
I found some T-8 ballasts (made by GE) at Home Depot and replaced my T-12 fixture's ballasts with them. The wiring changes were minimal, and very obvious based on the diagram on the new ballast. Yours may be different, as stated above based on the age of the T12s.
The T8 ballasts cost about $17 ea, and the difference in my "new" fixtures is dramatic. The T8 bulbs turn on far quicker than the T12s, and the light output appears to be significantly brighter (although I did change color temp to be a bit cooler, so this may also be part of the appearance FWIW).
It took me about 25 minutes for the first fixture, then 15-20 min for the subsequent ones, so for the price and time invested I'm very happy. The upgrade was well worth it.
I found some T-8 ballasts (made by GE) at Home Depot and replaced my T-12 fixture's ballasts with them. The wiring changes were minimal, and very obvious based on the diagram on the new ballast. Yours may be different, as stated above based on the age of the T12s.
The T8 ballasts cost about $17 ea, and the difference in my "new" fixtures is dramatic.
.
The dramatic change you are seeing is most likely the difference is going from magnetic to electronic ballasts.
T12s with new electronic, not magnetic ballasts look brilliant and snap on just as fast as T8s. Very few of the cheap light fixtures sold at HD and Lowes have high quality ballasts. There are many factors that make ballasts great or ****.
New fluorescent bulbs always look brighter than 2 week old bulbs in any style.
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Ironcouch
New member
I have been told by several people here in Oklahoma that they have had trouble with even the new t8's in an unheated building and would suggest going incandescent. Anyone else have issues or suggestions? I don't want to waste my $
Mr_fixit
Well-known member
I have been told by several people here in Oklahoma that they have had trouble with even the new t8's in an unheated building and would suggest going incandescent. Anyone else have issues or suggestions? I don't want to waste my $
Nope, T-8 electronic ballast usually light down to zero degrees. Maybe they have some really cheap home depot or lowes lights. I'd stay away from them.
Gary S
Well-known member
I have been told by several people here in Oklahoma that they have had trouble with even the new t8's in an unheated building and would suggest going incandescent. Anyone else have issues or suggestions? I don't want to waste my $
You shouldn't be having problems getting good T8 equipped fixtures to light in your warm climate. Mine light all the time in my unheated garage at much colder temps than you will ever see.
Like many consumer goods. there are some operating temperature ranges associated with T8s and others. Doesn't mean they won't work or will fail. They may not start as quick or reach full brightness in freezing temps. You should do some research on those operating ranges of any lights you are considering using and fear they will need to operate in extreme cold temps. Try calling the factory help line of some makers.