Looking for electricians knowledge on 4’ Florissant bulbs

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SGBARRACUDA

SGBARRACUDA

ROY
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When I built my shop 6-7 years ago in installed 12 2 bulb 4’ T-8 Florissant fixtures. I noticed yesterday that I have one set that is out. My question is what bulb can I start replacing them with that are the brightest available? Thanks
 
have you looked at LED's? most of the retrofit ones cut clear the ballast and just get wired directly
 
If you're not looking to do led conversion, get the daylight bulbs. Also, there is a lumen rating on the bulbs. Higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb.
 
if you want a blueish hue, get the 6000K. Want something more natural light get 4000Kish led.
 
LED replacement all the way

Takes 5 minutes to rewire the housing so you get the full 110 to the base and you'll have brighter lights and save some money in the long run
 
Do the LED 4 footers fire right up in the wintertime when the garage temp goes below 20 degrees? My old ones flicker and sometimes don't come on when the temp drops below 40.
 
pt70 said:
Do the LED 4 footers fire right up in the wintertime when the garage temp goes below 20 degrees? My old ones flicker and sometimes don't come on when the temp drops below 40.
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All my LEDs fire up immediately. No delay at all. Seldom gets below 20 here but I'm betting they fire up at any temp.
 
LED’s sound like the way to go but they are 13’ in the air. I really not wanting to bypass 12 fixtures. But we will see. Thanks for all the replies.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
When I built my shop 6-7 years ago in installed 12 2 bulb 4’ T-8 Florissant fixtures. I noticed yesterday that I have one set that is out. My question is what bulb can I start replacing them with that are the brightest available? Thanks
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We use mostly 4 ft t8s at work. Without changing ballasts, I recommend 5000k bulbs. That's what we use in 'work' areas. Warehouse areas I run the slightly warmer 4100k. And office areas get 3500k. Bulbs lose a lot of lumens over their lifespan So even using the same as you had - new bulb is going to give more light.
 
pt70 said:
Do the LED 4 footers fire right up in the wintertime when the garage temp goes below 20 degrees? My old ones flicker and sometimes don't come on when the temp drops below 40.
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Are you saying LED's or Flourescents flicker? I had experimented with some LED's in -20 freezer warehouse and most were instant on full brightness. We ran mostly 4ft T5s there. Not sure how much is due to bulb size, but in my experience T12s have trouble in lower temps. But that may also be cause they are more likely to have ancient magnetic ballasts in them. T8 with an electronic ballast should be good down to 20F or even lower. They may not come on at full brightness, but should have no problem firing.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
My T-8’s have always turned right on. But then I live in Fl.
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Yeh I saw where you are. My sister in law and family are in Spring Hill. When we went to Disney years ago Christmas week, it was getting too chilly for Tshirts later in the day and we got Mickey sweatshirts, LOL
I started to combine my replies in one answer and realized you would not have any of the starting or warm up issues we deal with up here. I just have screw in bulb sockets in the garage. Used to have the fluorescent pigtail bulbs. If I when out there for something in the winter they were usually just starting to get bright by the time I was done. :BangHead: Have LEDs in now.
 
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All I can add is that if you see cheap LED replacements, LOOK at the claimed lumens before buying.
Some don't even claim to have the same output as a typical T8.
I noticed that when looking in the box stores and ended up just buying some T8s.
Also if you are sensitive to glare and contrast, sometimes the LEDs - depending on how they are placed - are worse in that respect than flourescents.
 
This is what I have in there now.

C4FC1BAB-243C-456A-90BC-E7B87BFF5EFA.jpeg
 
Roy I just bought a new house in my Garage I wanted LED's I went to Rural King and they had 4Ft I believe 5000K I put 3 of them in Junctioned them off the original Light. Man what a difference. I'll take a pic.
 
This is what I’m dealing with. I’m not able to climb a latter 12 times and work overhead that much. Hell I’ll get dizzy and fall. Probably break a perfectly good neck.

C6D5FB48-5F1A-4BAE-A336-2A72EB2273E1.jpeg
 
I bought these 2 years ago, work great, great lighting.
They come with 2 cords, direct plug in or junction off the last light. I ran 8 total, 4 each off 1 outlet.
At first, the light bothered my eyes, but within a few minutes that was gone.
What a gigantic difference, light everywhere.
1 didn't work right out of the box, summit sent me another, about 3 months later one side of one died, they sent me a replacement. They day after I called it worked fine and has since.

I think harbour freight sells similar lights.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-902003-k
 
Put a single gang box and recep on the run that goes to the fixture, then get a Rural King 4500/5000 lumen LED fixture.

20 min.

$22-$25 and sometimes on sale for $17.

You will notice a drop in your electric bill if you swap them all out.

...but you can just do as needed...for just a tad more than buying new fluorescent bulbs.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
This is what I’m dealing with. I’m not able to climb a latter 12 times and work overhead that much. Hell I’ll get dizzy and fall. Probably break a perfectly good neck.

View attachment 1715568385
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sounds like either way someone is going up a ladder, to at least change out the burned out one. just swap em' out as need be
 
kursplat said:
sounds like either way someone is going up a ladder, to at least change out the burned out one. just swap em' out as need be
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Well I figure after 6-7 years they’re going to start burning out. So I’m going to replace them.
 
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