[Prev][Next][Index]
RE: Shop Lights
>
<snip>
> I use a lot of shop lights. I have found that the cheapest ones
> (the $10 or less variety) do wear out bulbs much too fast. You
> can get better ones for about $30 though, that have a better
> reflector, are a little more "finished" looking and less flimsy.
> These seem to be equivalent to aquarium strip lights, hold two
> bulbs, and are _much_ less expensive. That said, these days, I
> replace _all_ ballasts with electronic ballasts and use T-8 SPX50
> bulbs.
I have been using some of the $7 dual light strips as well as the
more expensive $15 dual 4' light fixtures; however, I have not been
real happy with my results todate. Exactly what ballasts have you
been using and what T8 bulbs? I received a GRAINGER catalog recently
and was overwhelmed by the number of ballast choices. The only T8
Philips bulb they list that has a Color Temp of 5000K is the following:
Bulb: F32T8/TL850 (Philips)
Temp: 5000K
Life: 20000 Hrs
Lumens: 2950 (init)
CRI: 85
Price: $4.64
The Ultralumes I am currently using spec out as:
Bulb: F40/50U (Philips)
Temp: 5000K
Life: 20000 Hrs
Lumens: 3280 (init)
CRI: 85
Price: $10.02
Looks to me that changing to the T8's would cut some lumens, but not
much. Will the T8's fit the existing T12 fixtures with only a ballast
change ?
>
> Water resistance is not an issue if you use them over a glass
> canopy. If you don't, you'll probably need waterproof end caps no
> matter what kind of fixture you buy.
Anyone have any experience using the various endcaps and light holders?
Thanks,
Ted.