T8 Troubles

[Bull]

I have three dual-bulb cheap T8 fixtures in my basement and also three T12 fixtures. The T8s consistently have issues where one of the two bulbs will not be lit. If I wiggle/twist it, most often it will then light up. But, if I turn the lights off and return later, the same bulb will be out. Today, twisting the non-functional bulb made the second bulb go out as well, but after some time passed and I turned it back on, one bulb would light again.

I have never had one single problem with the equally cheap T12 fixtures.

Do T8s suffer from this problem, or do I just have bad enough luck to have three different T8 units that have this same problem? Is there anything I can check or tweak, or am I better off just replacing the lights?

 

[Aceman]

You bought cheap piece of **** fixtures and now you're wondering why they're acting like cheap pieces of ****?

I've NEVER had to twist lamps in a T8 fixture. I have had to twist lamps in a T12 fixture though, it was the newer T12 lamps with the green ends that always give me trouble. The old silver tipped style would always light. Just so I'm clear I'm referring to the 4' bipin lamps...

 

[Bull]

You bought cheap piece of **** fixtures and now you're wondering why they're acting like cheap pieces of ****?

Yes, I am. I think that's clearly what I am doing. The T12 fixtures are equally cheap, and have given me no problem, ever. I believe I mentioned that above.

I've NEVER had to twist lamps in a T8 fixture. I have had to twist lamps in a T12 fixture though, it was the newer T12 lamps with the green ends that always give me trouble. The old silver tipped style would always light. Just so I'm clear I'm referring to the 4' bipin lamps...

The T8s in question have green tips.

 

[walrus]

Yes, I am. I think that's clearly what I am doing. The T12 fixtures are equally cheap, and have given me no problem, ever. I believe I mentioned that above.



The T8s in question have green tips.

I've never had an issue with the green tipped bulbs, they're Phillips and I use them all the time. As far as the fixtures go, who knows but I'd suspect bad sockets, vibrations from walking over head may jar the bulbs causing a bad connection

 

[mg67rt]

I recently puchased the 6 bulb units from home depot, 4 of them, and hung them about 8' from the floor and my 14x20 garage is as bright as daylight with no shadows. I really enjoy being able to see what I'm working on.

 

[jay50]

I recently puchased the 6 bulb units from home depot, 4 of them, and hung them about 8' from the floor and my 14x20 garage is as bright as daylight with no shadows. I really enjoy being able to see what I'm working on.

you remember the part number of that unit?