As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

On Apr 23, 1:18*am, "walter" wrote:
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

DO YOUR SHOP LIGHT FIXTURES HAVE ELECTRONIC BALLAST ?
THEN SURE.,
OTHERWISE REPLACE THE BALLAST TOO & SHAZAM, LIKE ALL NU !

PAT ECUM

On Apr 23, 2:52*am, The Ghost in The Machine
wrote:
On Apr 23, 1:18*am, "walter" wrote:

As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

DO YOUR SHOP LIGHT FIXTURES HAVE ELECTRONIC BALLAST ?
THEN SURE.,
OTHERWISE REPLACE THE BALLAST TOO & SHAZAM, LIKE ALL NU !

PAT ECUM

its probably cheaper to replace the fixture than just the ballast for
low cost shop lights, although i havent priced them

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap shop
lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast replacement

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap
shop lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast
replacement
As long as they have the sockets and wires, an electronic ballast can be
added. Though, it might be cheaper to buy a whole fixture than a ballast.

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

An electronic ballast isn't a guaranteed universal lamp ballast, otherwise,
it would most likely have T-8s in them. Double check the ballast to
determine if it's T-8 compatible. If not, then you'll need a T-8 ballast.

"SBH" wrote in message
...

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about
2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap
shop lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast
replacement
As long as they have the sockets and wires, an electronic ballast can be
added. Though, it might be cheaper to buy a whole fixture than a ballast.

** These fixtures are so cheap, there is no chamber to install a standard
ballast, not to mention the wiring for their integral ballast is completely
different. On top of that, a replacement cheap T8 shop fixture costs less
than a standard replacement 2/32 electronic ballast

"walter" wrote:

As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

No- but if you like the T-8s, keep saving the cheap shoplights as they
fail. When you get 6 of them, check ebay for the deals on T8
ballasts. Buy 6 of them and spend a morning doing ballasts.

I did that a couple years ago & I'm happy with the results.

Jim

Right.

Instead of fooling around with potentially incompatible ballasts and tubes,
I will replace all failed fixtures (failed ballasts) with new T-8 shop
lights. They cost only $ 17.98 at Lowes. If a fixture with a failed ballast
has any OK bulbs, I will save them and keep my T-12s going.

Thanks

--
www.rationality.net

"SBH" wrote in message
...

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about
2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap
shop lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast
replacement
As long as they have the sockets and wires, an electronic ballast can be
added. Though, it might be cheaper to buy a whole fixture than a ballast.

On 4/23/2011 12:50 PM, walter wrote:

Right.

Instead of fooling around with potentially incompatible ballasts and
tubes, I will replace all failed fixtures (failed ballasts) with new T-8
shop lights. They cost only $ 17.98 at Lowes. If a fixture with a failed
ballast has any OK bulbs, I will save them and keep my T-12s going.


I put 12 of them in my garage when they were only about $10. a piece and
the energy saver bulbs come bulk packaged for about $1.07 a piece. It's
nice to be rid of the hum of ballasts.

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"SBH" wrote in message
...

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I
replace them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have
electronic ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package
about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap
shop lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast
replacement
As long as they have the sockets and wires, an electronic ballast can be
added. Though, it might be cheaper to buy a whole fixture than a ballast.

** These fixtures are so cheap, there is no chamber to install a standard
ballast, not to mention the wiring for their integral ballast is
completely different. On top of that, a replacement cheap T8 shop fixture
costs less than a standard replacement 2/32 electronic ballast


I don't dispute the cost of a fixture compared to the cost of a ballast. I
am indicating ANY fluorescent fixture containing tube sockets can be easily
wired into any ballast regardless of the stock wiring layout. A simple
universal T8 ballast contains two blue wires, one red wire and a black and
white (hot and neutral). The wiring diagram is located on the ballast as
well.

As for a slot or fastener for the ballast, I agree most cheap fixtures will
not have a pre-made fastening area for the bigger electronic ballast.
Though, most fixtures (even the cheap ones) have holes on top, one can be
used for a screw, and electronic ballasts are much smaller than their
megnetic parents. Otherwise, it still doesn't mean a simple drill bit and
machine screws can't hold it in place.

On Apr 23, 6:52*am, bob haller wrote:
On Apr 23, 2:52*am, The Ghost in The Machine
wrote:

On Apr 23, 1:18*am, "walter" wrote:

As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

DO YOUR SHOP LIGHT FIXTURES HAVE ELECTRONIC BALLAST ?
THEN SURE.,
OTHERWISE REPLACE THE BALLAST TOO & SHAZAM, LIKE ALL NU !

PAT ECUM

its probably cheaper to replace the fixture than just the ballast for
low cost shop lights, although i havent priced them

NOT ITS NOT - YOU BETTER SHOP AROUND

On Apr 25, 7:39*pm, "SBH" wrote:
"RBM" wrote in message

...







"SBH" wrote in message
.. .

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I
replace them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have
electronic ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package
about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap
shop lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast
replacement
As long as they have the sockets and wires, an electronic ballast can be
added. Though, it might be cheaper to buy a whole fixture than a ballast.

** These fixtures are so cheap, there is no chamber to install a standard
ballast, not to mention the wiring for their integral ballast is
completely different. On top of that, a replacement cheap T8 shop fixture
costs less than a standard replacement 2/32 electronic ballast

I don't dispute the cost of a fixture compared to the cost of a ballast. I
am *indicating ANY fluorescent fixture containing tube sockets can be easily
wired into any ballast regardless of the stock wiring layout. A simple
universal T8 ballast contains two blue wires, one red wire and a black and
white (hot and neutral). The wiring diagram is located on the ballast as
well.

As for a slot or fastener for the ballast, I agree most cheap fixtures will
not have a pre-made fastening area for the bigger electronic ballast.
Though, most fixtures (even the cheap ones) have holes on top, one can be
used for a screw, and electronic ballasts are much smaller than their
megnetic parents. Otherwise, it still doesn't mean a simple drill bit and
machine screws can't hold it in place.



YOU USE ONE SET SCREW SIDE OR THE SLOT, & ON THE OTHER ODD SIDE YOU
CAN USE SELF TAPPING SCREWS, ALSO CALLED ZIPPIES.
YOU CAN FIT THE BALLAST IN ANYWHERE WITH A ST SCREW.
SHEESH!!!
PAT ECUM

"SBH" wrote in message
news

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"SBH" wrote in message
...

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I
replace them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have
electronic ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package
about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap
shop lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast
replacement
As long as they have the sockets and wires, an electronic ballast can be
added. Though, it might be cheaper to buy a whole fixture than a
ballast.

** These fixtures are so cheap, there is no chamber to install a standard
ballast, not to mention the wiring for their integral ballast is
completely different. On top of that, a replacement cheap T8 shop fixture
costs less than a standard replacement 2/32 electronic ballast


I don't dispute the cost of a fixture compared to the cost of a ballast. I
am indicating ANY fluorescent fixture containing tube sockets can be
easily wired into any ballast regardless of the stock wiring layout. A
simple universal T8 ballast contains two blue wires, one red wire and a
black and white (hot and neutral). The wiring diagram is located on the
ballast as well.

As for a slot or fastener for the ballast, I agree most cheap fixtures
will not have a pre-made fastening area for the bigger electronic ballast.
Though, most fixtures (even the cheap ones) have holes on top, one can be
used for a screw, and electronic ballasts are much smaller than their
megnetic parents. Otherwise, it still doesn't mean a simple drill bit and
machine screws can't hold it in place.


**And I'm not saying it can't be done, just that the design of these really
cheap shop fixtures makes it impractical from every conceivable point of
view

On Apr 25, 8:47*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"SBH" wrote in message

news






"RBM" wrote in message
...

"SBH" wrote in message
. ..

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"walter" wrote in message
...
As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I
replace them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have
electronic ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package
about 2"x2"x1/2".

Thanks

Walter

** No, the 32 watt T8 lamps use a different ballast. Those really cheap
shop lights with the integral ballast, aren't designed for ballast
replacement
As long as they have the sockets and wires, an electronic ballast can be
added. Though, it might be cheaper to buy a whole fixture than a
ballast.

** These fixtures are so cheap, there is no chamber to install a standard
ballast, not to mention the wiring for their integral ballast is
completely different. On top of that, a replacement cheap T8 shop fixture
costs less than a standard replacement 2/32 electronic ballast

I don't dispute the cost of a fixture compared to the cost of a ballast.. I
am *indicating ANY fluorescent fixture containing tube sockets can be
easily wired into any ballast regardless of the stock wiring layout. A
simple universal T8 ballast contains two blue wires, one red wire and a
black and white (hot and neutral). The wiring diagram is located on the
ballast as well.

As for a slot or fastener for the ballast, I agree most cheap fixtures
will not have a pre-made fastening area for the bigger electronic ballast.
Though, most fixtures (even the cheap ones) have holes on top, one can be
used for a screw, and electronic ballasts are much smaller than their
megnetic parents. Otherwise, it still doesn't mean a simple drill bit and
machine screws can't hold it in place.

**And I'm not saying it can't be done, just that the design of these really
cheap shop fixtures makes it impractical from every conceivable point of
view


NO? A SIMPLE SELF TAPPING SCREW MAKES IT NOT ONLY PRACTICAL BUT
SIMPLE.

IF YOU WANT EVEN MORE PRACTICAL, WATCH YOUR LOCAL STORES, WHEN THEY
LOOSE THEIR LEASE MANY NEW COMMERCIAL RENTERS REMODEL AMD DISCARD EVEN
NEW FIXTURES FOR THEIR VERY OWN DESIGN.....FIND THEM AND REMOVE THE
VIRTUALLY NEW T8 ELECTRONIC BALLAST BEFORE THE SALVAGE TRUCK TAKES
THEM AWAY AND SAVE A BUNDLE.

PAT ECUM

"RBM" wrote:


"SBH" wrote in message
news

-snip-
As for a slot or fastener for the ballast, I agree most cheap fixtures
will not have a pre-made fastening area for the bigger electronic ballast.
Though, most fixtures (even the cheap ones) have holes on top, one can be
used for a screw, and electronic ballasts are much smaller than their
megnetic parents. Otherwise, it still doesn't mean a simple drill bit and
machine screws can't hold it in place.


**And I'm not saying it can't be done, just that the design of these really
cheap shop fixtures makes it impractical from every conceivable point of
view

I guess 'impractical ' is an objective observation. Worked for me.
In one morning, for about $6 per fixture I converted a pile of junk in
the corner of my garage to 6 functioning T8 lights with electronic
ballasts.

Along with that, I got a bit of an education in the different ways
manufacturer's can come up with to join things together & I learned a
tiny bit about how ballasts are wired.

If I saw a pile of 6 broken lights at a garage sale, I'd be tempted to
do it all over again.

Jim

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...
"RBM" wrote:


"SBH" wrote in message
news

-snip-
As for a slot or fastener for the ballast, I agree most cheap fixtures
will not have a pre-made fastening area for the bigger electronic
ballast.
Though, most fixtures (even the cheap ones) have holes on top, one can
be
used for a screw, and electronic ballasts are much smaller than their
megnetic parents. Otherwise, it still doesn't mean a simple drill bit
and
machine screws can't hold it in place.


**And I'm not saying it can't be done, just that the design of these
really
cheap shop fixtures makes it impractical from every conceivable point of
view

I guess 'impractical ' is an objective observation. Worked for me.
In one morning, for about $6 per fixture I converted a pile of junk in
the corner of my garage to 6 functioning T8 lights with electronic
ballasts.

Along with that, I got a bit of an education in the different ways
manufacturer's can come up with to join things together & I learned a
tiny bit about how ballasts are wired.

If I saw a pile of 6 broken lights at a garage sale, I'd be tempted to
do it all over again.

Jim

You are obviously not talking about the same $10 shop fixtures. These
fixtures have an integral ballast built into the ends of the fixtures. They
don't even have a ballast chamber running down the center of the fixture or
any other location that a 2/32 ballast can be properly located

In article , walter wrote:

As my 4 foot T12 fluorescent lights in my shoplights fail, can I replace
them with 4' T8 tubes? These shoplights all seem to have electronic
ballasts, consisting of a small, sealed plastic package about 2"x2"x1/2".

A T12 ballast may fail to start T8 tubes. If the T8 tubes start on the
T12 ballast, they will very likely be overpowered.

If you are going to use T8 tubes, then you need to replace the ballasts
- or, maybe more easily, the whole fixtures.

Then again, T12 full-40-watt tubes are not being completely banned.
There is an exception for ones with color rendering index above some
certain amount.

The only exempt-on-CRI ones that I know of, without compromise in light
output, are Philips "Ultralume" series. Last time I checked, Home Depot
had those. The 4100 color one is the same color as regular cool white.
--
- Don Klipstein )

......FTS.....