used light fixtures

[boat2230]

I have been reading thru the great info on here but have a question as I am getting close to pulling the trigger on my lighting for my 36x40 12ft ceiling. I have come across some fixtures 15 of them for 25 this is description

USED(With Lamps) Genlyte 277 Volt T-8 lamps 2x4 60 cycle AC

I am not familiar with the 277 volt can i use these or adapt them to 120. also came across some 4 bulb fixtures that were real cheap but again they were 277 volt are they a deal or am I getting in over my head trying to make them work with led bulbs that have been discussed here?

 

[Norcal]

If they have a single voltage ballast then replacing the ballast would have to be done, most current fixtures use a 120-277V ballast that can be run on any voltage from 120 to 277 volts, unless your getting those 277V fixtures for nothing or close to nothing they are not worth messing with.

 

[cybrdyke]

Since they're described as 2x4, that means that they are designed to be recessed in a drop ceiling. You can still use them, but you'll have to find some way to hang them. They aren't meant to be hung by chain. But, other people have figured out ways to use them.
If you are thinking of using LED tubes, it doesn't matter what ballast is in them, just bypass it.
If you are thinking of putting in T8 lamps, then the ballast needs to be rated for 120 or 277, not just 277. (I assume you dont have 277 at your place).
Good luck.
CD

 

[boat2230]

thanks for the information and replies gentlemen i appreciate it I will keep looking, leaning towards doing the James stuff led ready fixture and driver bulbs.

 

[zendriver]

I have been reading thru the great info on here but have a question as I am getting close to pulling the trigger on my lighting for my 36x40 12ft ceiling. I have come across some fixtures 15 of them for 25 this is description

USED(With Lamps) Genlyte 277 Volt T-8 lamps 2x4 60 cycle AC

I am not familiar with the 277 volt can i use these or adapt them to 120. also came across some 4 bulb fixtures that were real cheap but again they were 277 volt are they a deal or am I getting in over my head trying to make them work with led bulbs that have been discussed here?

Since you are doing new lighting, why not do it right and just go with LEDs? The rest of the world is.

Get the fixtures and use retrofit LED tubes, ones that can be wired directly. That way, The voltage of the fixtures will not matter, because you will be removing the ballast and wiring the tombstones (tube connectors) directly, to 120v.

FWIW, for my recent LED install, I converted and used older quad fixtures, that were designed to be recessed, but I just drilled a couple of holes in the center and screwed them directly into the ceiling.

I thought the edges might look too rough (since they are designed to be recessed) and was considering cutting and boxing (putting) "4 wood trim around then, but the edges are hardly noticeable, once installed, so I'm leaving them as is.

$40 in each quad fixture (for the LED tubes) Try to get good diffusers, if possible. they make the light look much nicer, but are expensive, to purchase afterwards

 

[LS6 Tommy]

For anyone considering screwing troffers directly to the ceiling like zendriver did, keep in mind they are not rated for direct surface mount for cooling reasons. With his LED retrofit it probably isn't an issue because the ballasts have been eliminated and the heat from the LED drivers is radiated into the air around the tubes, whereas the original ballasts directly transferred heat to the sheet metal, so surface mounting may have caused overheating. If you space the troffers off the ceiling about a 1/2"-3/4"' you should be OK.

Tommy