Wrapped fluorescents

[Kapt]

I found at Home Depot T-8 Lithonia four tube, four foot fluorescents with a cover around them. They call them wrapped fluorescent lights. I like the clean look, and they are hardwired directly to the ceiling ($63.97). Anyone use these before? I'm concerned about the covers yellowing over time, and weather 4 tubes is a waste vs two tubes. They advertise a commercial grade electronic ballast.

Also, how have the cathedral ceiling guys handled their lighting issues. Has anyone directly mounted these lights to the sloped ceiling, or just hang them with chains? My ceiling follows my roof which is 9/12 pitch. This side of my garage will eventually have a lift, so I was not too keen on the hanging option.

 

[kbs2244]

You can buy the tube separatelys, and slip them over any bulb.
They are pretty common in fab shops and such places where people are lifting things high and may bump a bulb.
The idea is to catch the broken glass before it falls all over everything.
Check Grainger’s or you local electrical supply house.

Most of the cathedral ceilings I see have the tubes going across the slope.
That way they shine straight down.
An important thing about the chains that no one talks about is that they allow some cooling air above the fixture.
If you don’t use the chains, be sure to have at least a ¼ inch of space between the fixture and the ceiling to prevent the ballast from overheating.

 

[e-tek]

If you don’t use the chains, be sure to have at least a ¼ inch of space between the fixture and the ceiling to prevent the ballast from overheating.

Does this apply to all lights? Every flourescent I've ever seen are mounted directly to the Gyproc - no overheating issues that I know of.

 

[kbs2244]

I guess I cannot answer that.
It is a habit I got into after haveing to replace too many burned out fixtures.
I just juse a 3 inch long piece of lath or a 1/4x20 nut between the celing panel and the top of the fixture.
You can hardly see it and it makes me feel better.
If you have any concerns, after the lights have been on a few hours, climb up and see if the are warm around where the ballst is.
If they are, I would space them.
It gives the bugs a place to live to.

 

[Kapt]

You can buy the tube separatelys, and slip them over any bulb.
They are pretty common in fab shops and such places where people are lifting things high and may bump a bulb.
The idea is to catch the broken glass before it falls all over everything.
Check Grainger’s or you local electrical supply house.

Most of the cathedral ceilings I see have the tubes going across the slope.
That way they shine straight down.
An important thing about the chains that no one talks about is that they allow some cooling air above the fixture.
If you don’t use the chains, be sure to have at least a ¼ inch of space between the fixture and the ceiling to prevent the ballast from overheating.

The wraps I'm talking about go around the whole fixture, not the individual fluorescent tubes. It's looks like a lens cover made out of clear plastic with some sort of prismatic pattern molded into it. I see a lot of these in office buildings.

 

[tfi racing]

Nothing wrong with those fixtures except the metal is a bit thin and distorts easily.The mounting bosses on the back allow a slight airgap,however they rarely line up with the rafters you are trying to mount the fixture to!

 

[JohnK007]

I have wrappped two bulb T-12 fixtures in my garage. The reason I used them was because I got them for free when they remodeled at work (great reason!). Anyhow, I found the prismatic cover does diffuse the light but probably at a cost of some brightness. I should take the covers off and compare. l suppose that if you went with 4 bulb fixtures any loss of brightness would be negated. I have no complaints with mine. I think it reduces glare too.

 

[NSXSOON]

I have 14 of those fixtures in my 1400 square foot garage. They are 4 years old now and there is no yellowing at all. I'm now on my second set of bulbs in most of them. They are quiet, come on instantly and there is no radio interference. Good fixture for the money.

 

[Kirby]

I have used these units in both garages... the attached/house garage, for over 10 years...no yellowing. Radio interference in the new detached garage, no interference in the house garage. Must recheck my grounds. Also, you can buy three different temperature bulbs for t-8 units. I like the brightest(whitest) 6500K. They put out a lot more light than the 4100K. Good luck, Kirby

 

[Kapt]

I have used these units in both garages... the attached/house garage, for over 10 years...no yellowing. Radio interference in the new detached garage, no interference in the house garage. Must recheck my grounds. Also, you can buy three different temperature bulbs for t-8 units. I like the brightest(whitest) 6500K. They put out a lot more light than the 4100K. Good luck, Kirby

I bought one unit today as a test light. I temporarily hooked it up with 6500K tubes and mounted it to my 9' ceiling. I like it. Just this one unit puts out a lot more light than I'm used to. I tried it with the cover on and the cover off and noticed no difference in intensity. Glad to hear no yellowing of the cover after ten years.

 

[dwilliams35]

In the business these are called "wraparounds", not "wrapped": good lights, diffusion helps in most cases. They will collect bugs, though. I've got two in my "shop office". There may be some yellowing over time, but in my experience we're talking about fifteen or twenty years unless you use a lot of solvents, etc. that may attack the plastic.

 

[sberry]

and weather 4 tubes is a waste vs two tubes.

4 lamps give twice the light.

 

[Aceman]

In the business these are called "wraparounds", not "wrapped":

Maybe where you're from.

Here, we call them "wrap fixtures." Bottom line, it really doesn't matter, anybody who knows anything about the parts they're selling would know what he's talking about.

When I buy them I ask for a(insert tube quantity here) ___ 4' T8 wrap. 8' wraps are special order.

 

[dwilliams35]

Maybe where you're from.

Here, we call them "wrap fixtures." Bottom line, it really doesn't matter, anybody who knows anything about the parts they're selling would know what he's talking about.

When I buy them I ask for a(insert tube quantity here) ___ 4' T8 wrap. 8' wraps are special order.

Well, I for one took a few moments to determine that he wasn't talking about lamp sleeves: there's somebody else on here that had the same issue. I've probably bought several thousand of them over the years, too. Pretty much all the manufacturers and major distributors call that a wraparound: I guess you could call it a pig in blanket if you want to, but on a national basis, "wraparound" is probably going to get you the best results: that's what's written in the catalog; should be able to get that through the densest home depot employee.