Utility strip light fixture OK for LEDs?

[Polymath]

New here - but have been checking out this excellent forum and decided to join!

I am going to re-do the lighting in my 2 stall garage and have been looking at the thread "The Best Light Fixture Ever!" and getting a lot of information. I have a local store that has a 4' fluorescent shop light fixture for only $11 each.

Here is a link: https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/designers-edge-4-ft-fluorescent-shop-light/0000000229902

Is there any disadvantage to using these and bypassing the ballast rather than using the fixtures suggested in the lighting thread?

Any disadvantage to using the Phillips Cool White or Daylight LED bulbs at Home Depot that are meant for use with ballasts (my local store has these for $50 / 10 pack)? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...inear-LED-Light-Bulb-10-Pack-456590/206402867

Thanks for your help!

 

[cybrdyke]

Here is a link: https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/designers-edge-4-ft-fluorescent-shop-light/0000000229902

Is there any disadvantage to using these and bypassing the ballast rather than using the fixtures suggested in the lighting thread?

The product description of this fixture is incomplete, which makes it hard to say for certain. I googled the fixture and it's available on other sites, as well, but the information is shoddy there as well. The issue is which sockets the fixture uses, shunted or unshunted, and if they are replaceable. If the fixture has unshunted sockets, you can use a single-end or double-end bypass tube. If the fixture has shunted sockets, you can only use a double-end bypass tube.
Unless you can determine which kind of sockets it has, you'll need to order a double-end tube.

Any disadvantage to using the Phillips Cool White or Daylight LED bulbs at Home Depot that are meant for use with ballasts (my local store has these for $50 / 10 pack)? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...inear-LED-Light-Bulb-10-Pack-456590/206402867

The Philips lamp is not compatible with the ballast in this fixture.

 

[Polymath]

Thanks for the help!

From what I can see in the pictures, the sockets don't look standard / replaceable (the whole end appears to be molded as one assembly). Is the best way to tell if they are shunted or not to bring my meter into the store and see if the two contacts on the same socket are shorted? Does it matter that the online description says they will run either T12 or T8 lamps?

I'm a noob at this, how can you tell if the ballast is compatible with the bulbs? Magnetic vs electronic ballast? I've seen some websites stating these have electronic ballast, other sites saying magnetic ballast, and even one that states electronic in one place and magnetic in another. You're right in that the descriptions online are not very accurate! The list of compatible ballasts for these bulbs is here https://www.platt.com/CutSheets/Philips/InstantFit_Ballast-Compatibility-Guide_10_14[1].pdf Is there a way to tell what model ballast these fixtures have?

 

[cybrdyke]

Thanks for the help!

From what I can see in the pictures, the sockets don't look standard / replaceable (the whole end appears to be molded as one assembly). Is the best way to tell if they are shunted or not to bring my meter into the store and see if the two contacts on the same socket are shorted? That would be one way to do it. Another way is to look at the socket. A typical shunted socket will have 2 stab-in ports for wire and a non-shunted socket will have 4. Does it matter that the online description says they will run either T12 or T8 lamps?This confusing description is evidence that the manufacturer used the cheapest kind of ballast that they could find. At the price point that's listed, I guess that's expected.

I'm a noob at this, how can you tell if the ballast is compatible with the bulbs? Magnetic vs electronic ballast?Those lamps are only compatible with electronic, instant start ballasts for T8 lamps. Since the confusing information says both T12 and T8 lamps, and magnetic ballast,
it means that the lamps wont work with that ballast. Here is Philips' webpage for that lamp. There's a compatibility chart there. www.philips.com/instantfit I've seen some websites stating these have electronic ballast, other sites saying magnetic ballast, and even one that states electronic in one place and magnetic in another. You're right in that the descriptions online are not very accurate! The list of compatible ballasts for these bulbs is here https://www.platt.com/CutSheets/Philips/InstantFit_Ballast-Compatibility-Guide_10_14[1].pdf Is there a way to tell what model ballast these fixtures have?You would have to tear one apart to find the ballast. Not sure if they'd let you do that in the store. I'd be very surprised if there was a legitimate ballast in there.

Normally, if there's a T8 ballast in the fixture, it will have shunted sockets. If there's a T12 ballast in there, it will have unshunted sockets. Since it says that the ballast will run T8's or T12's and since some info says it's electronic and some says it's magnetic, there's no way to actually know what ballast is in there or what sockets you have.
Since the double-end bypass tubes will work with either type of socket, a bypass would probably be the easiest solution. I'm pretty sure that you wont find a plug&play tube that will run on the ballast that's in there.
Good luck,
CD

 

[Polymath]

Thanks again for your help!

I was hoping the locally available Designers Edge fixture and Phillips lamps would be compatible, it provided a more economical solution and would be quicker to get. Sounds like I might just be better off buying the fixtures and lamps in "The Best Light Fixture Ever!" thread and wait for them to come.