Updating old Fluorescent lights? (T12?)

[Yak22]

Hey all. Im going though a big garage remodel and I have a question about updating some old light fixtures I have. Sorry if this has been covered already, I couldn't find anything by searching due to the 3 letter search limitations.

I have maybe 8 8' dual bulb fluorescent fixtures that I inherited a while ago, and while they have worked fine for the most part, Im considering new lighting as I continue to update the garage. With that said, is there a way to do a ballast change or something to allow the use of more efficient and better quality bulbs/ballasts with these old fixtures?

I think they are T12, they are 8' with one post on each end. Feel free to correct me if Im wrong about the designation.

I just feel like it may be cheaper to buy upgrade parts than all new fixtures.

Thanks!

 

[pattenp]

Do you know if the fixtures are T12HO or standard T12?

 

[Yak22]

I don't know for sure that T12 is even the correct style... But I would imagine they are not HO. How can one tell? On the ballast? the bulbs?

 

[pattenp]

T12HO lamps have one flat pin on each end whereas standard have 2 small pins or 1 large round pin on each end. If the lamp is 1-1/2 inch in diameter it's T12.

 

[b-body-bob]

FWIW, I ran into a situation with an 8' light here where the new ballast requires me to change the wiring to the bulb connectors, so it's not as simple as the 4 footers I've been bring back to life that way. On those you just snip snip and wire nut the new ballast right in to the same colored wires.

<vent>The rewiring's not a big deal except in my case the light is nailed up in a little recess to where I can't get the bulb connectors disconnected from the housing, and since it's nailed I can't get it down to work on it without wrecking it.</vent>

 

[Yak22]

T12HO lamps have one flat pin on each end whereas standard have 2 small pins or 1 large round pin on each end. If the lamp is 1-1/2 inch in diameter it's T12.

Then mine must be standard. They have one round 'nub' pin on each end.

 

[pattenp]

You can change out the ballast and sockets and update to 8' T8's. You may save a few $$, but if you are remodeling I'd switch to 4 lamp fixtures that use the 4' T8 lamps.

 

[Yak22]

Yeah, Thats pretty much what I keep thinking. Its just such a shame to toss the fixtures. I guess I need to do a cost analysis. I have been looking around and there seems to be a few kits to run 4X 4' T8 bulbs in these old 8' fixtures, but Im not sure if it actually balances out cost-wise.