On Sat, 15 Mar 2014 12:05:54 -0000, "Andrew Mawson"
wrote:

"Bill" wrote in message ...

In message , Adrian C
writes

I'd change that fitting for a "Viper HF" from TLC.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind.../Lighting_Fluo
rescent_Index/Fluorescent_Batten_Fittings/index.html#HF_Batten_Fittings

Instant on, great light, not expensive. I've got one in the kitchen.
Can't get these from DIY sheds yet which is a shame on them ...


+1

I replaced 4 twin fittings around the house with similar HF fittings
from TLC and they made a big difference. They appear to come on at full
brightness instantly, although using a light meter they do take a couple
of minutes, but this isn't actually noticeable to the naked eye. Much
more friendly than the older style of fluorescent. I was expecting
more RF interference from them, but this hasn't been the case, if
anything they are quieter. The only slight issue was having to go and
collect the tubes, for some reason they will not courier these! :-)


There a 36 twin 6 foot fittings so they won't be changed !


A few years ago, after goggling (_not_ googling, in case you
wondered) at the eyewatering price of 5 foot tubes on Tool Station's
web site, I came across a company that would ship tubes at about a
tenth of Tool Station's one off price of 10 quid but only in unit
quantities of 25!

Not really a sensible option when all I wanted was a replacement plus
a spare or two (I'd be dead and buried long before I even got halfway
through that lot!). In the end I bought three tubes from my local CEF
for just less than a tenner.

If you were planning on a complete re-lamping exercise for that lot,
you could certainly have them shipped (72 tubes) as 3 packs of 25
leaving you with 3 spares.

The electronic ballasts (either retro fit kits or complete batten
fittings) just don't make economic sense when it comes to upgrading an
existing installation. They'd never last long enough to realise any
ROI value (never mind the ballast's service life, _you'd_ never live
long enough to see a positive ROI even if the parts could last that
long!). They barely make sense on new build installations as it is.
They need to drop in price by a good 70% before they become a viable
retro fit option.
--
Regards, J B Good