Any Electricians on the board?

[customtouch]

I have to replace a bunch of the ballasts in the shop (like 18-20 of them) and there is a huge difference in price between the "residential" at $15.00 and the "commercial" grade ballast at $25.00. I think I only paid $8-10 for the whole fixtures when I bought them 16 or so years ago. I could buy complete fixtures for about $15.00 but they would not match what I have up now. Is there really that big of a difference between the "residential" and "commercial" ballasts. If so what is it and is it worth the price difference. These are the standard 2 lamp, 4', F40, T12 fixtures. Prices are at Lowes & Home Depot.

 

[HellinnFrnt]

It would be cheaper in the long run to replace them with new.More efficient than 16 years ago so less electric bill. How many are we talking about?

 

[customtouch]

Nope. That would not be over all cost effective for no more than what my electric bill is now. I counted and will only need to change out 12 out of 36 at this time. Just trying to figure out why the same "looking" ballast cost $10.00 more. There must be a difference but the people at Lowes and HD couldn't really tell me anything.

 

[ChryslerJet]

Nope. That would not be over all cost effective for no more than what my electric bill is now. I counted and will only need to change out 12 out of 36 at this time. Just trying to figure out why the same "looking" ballast cost $10.00 more. There must be a difference but the people at Lowes and HD couldn't really tell me anything.

David I'll look at the specs but basic principal they both put out the same voltage and amperage.  The commercial ones may use heavier duty components to withstand long periods of use.  Ie thicker copper wire in the transfomer, larger heatsinks.  You probably could use the residential but may end up replacing them more often.  Might be able to get the same units less expensive elsewhere.  Those are the types of things they markup extra.

Chris

 

[customtouch]

I have been doing some research and so far the only difference I have found is in the high dollar commercial grade. They have a colder minimum start up temp which would be nice but they are $40-60 each and I am not doing that. Both of the ones I was looking at have a 50 degree min start up so I really didn't see any difference. I bought three of the Philips model RELB-2S40-N to try them out. Lots of people sell them but I have not found any feed back on the net yet. They are the cheapo's but so were the ones I have that lasted 16yrs. If anyone has info or advise it would be appreciated.

 

[KONA77]

I've installed a many of fluorescent fixtures and ballasts,  granted the commercial grade ballast maybe somewhat better,  but most of the time the problem is not the ballast but the bulb themselves,    i would not pay for the commercial,  we always use the residential,  and in 8',  the 4' foot fixtures give more problems for some reason. 

if the pins or the sockets of the slightest bit of corrosion,  the will not fire,  also i had discovered that dust will cause them not to fire also,    i have to clean mine ever so often, and i use rubbing alcohol

Q.  have you replaced your bulbs in the old fixtures?,

 

[KONA77]

let me say this,  the main problem,  with fluorescents firing is the humidity,  not the temp,  it can be 32* and low humidity they come right on,  90* and high humidity no go.

thats why i use the rubbing alcohol to clean them,  helps dry out the rubber seals on the ends,

 

[Crusader]

I do know for a fact that if you bump a fluorescent light bulb with a broom stick, it will fall out, hit the ground and break.....rendering it useless. 

 

[Patchman]

I do know for a fact that if you bump a fluorescent light bulb with a broom stick, it will fall out, hit the ground and break.....rendering it useless.

Just watch out for the mercury! :smile20:

 

[HellinnFrnt]

I do know for a fact that if you bump a fluorescent light bulb with a broom stick, it will fall out, hit the ground and break.....rendering it useless.

well there you go

 

[customtouch]

I've installed a many of fluorescent fixtures and ballasts,  granted the commercial grade ballast maybe somewhat better,  but most of the time the problem is not the ballast but the bulb themselves,    i would not pay for the commercial,  we always use the residential,  and in 8',  the 4' foot fixtures give more problems for some reason. 

if the pins or the sockets of the slightest bit of corrosion,  the will not fire,  also i had discovered that dust will cause them not to fire also,    i have to clean mine ever so often, and i use rubbing alcohol

Q.  have you replaced your bulbs in the old fixtures?,

What I discovered about the fixtures that I have (a little too late) is that you need to stay on top of replacing the bulbs as soon as they burn out. If you leave a burned out bulb in for any amount of time it burns out that side of the fixture. I suppose it could have corroded the contacts and I will try cleaning them before I replace the ballast, it can't hurt to try. Thanks.

 

[KONA77]

yep,  if you leave a bad bulb in for any length of time,  you will have ballast problems

 

[jimsplace]

I do know for a fact that if you bump a fluorescent light bulb with a broom stick, it will fall out, hit the ground and break.....rendering it useless.

Good information to know.
I prefer to learn from others mistakes.

I learned a long time ago that I don't subscribe to, "Experience being the best teacher". 
I support the idea that I would learn from others "experience".

 

[customtouch]

I do know for a fact that if you bump a fluorescent light bulb with a broom stick, it will fall out, hit the ground and break.....rendering it useless.

Good information to know.
I prefer to learn from others mistakes.

I learned a long time ago that I don't subscribe to, "Experience being the best teacher". 
I support the idea that I would learn from others "experience".

Actually the definition of experience is the "ability to recognize a mistake when you make it AGAIN!!!"  :grin:

 

[Crusader]

I do know for a fact that if you bump a fluorescent light bulb with a broom stick, it will fall out, hit the ground and break.....rendering it useless.

Good information to know.
I prefer to learn from others mistakes.

I learned a long time ago that I don't subscribe to, "Experience being the best teacher". 
I support the idea that I would learn from others "experience".

Actually the definition of experience is the "ability to recognize a mistake when you make it AGAIN!!!"  :grin:

Exactly Custom...I've learned to not raise a broom handle in the vicinity of my garage lights......lol.

 

[customtouch]

Well I just found out another interesting factoid. As of July of 2012 the government stopped the production of T-12 bulbs so in the near future it is going to get harder and more expensive to find them forcing everyone to go to the new T-8 fixtures & bulbs. FRICKING MARVELOUS!!!!!

 

[Devilman]

I remember Oldbuck talking about that here awhile back. Think it was when he was getting his shop built & were discussing lighting options.

 

[KONA77]

Well I just found out another interesting factoid. As of July of 2012 the government stopped the production of T-12 bulbs so in the near future it is going to get harder and more expensive to find them forcing everyone to go to the new T-8 fixtures & bulbs. MARVELOUS!!!!!

i knew the t12s were being faded out,  but didn't know the Gov was befind it,  guess it has to do with the mercury, 

 

[oldbuck40]

I remember Oldbuck talking about that here awhile back. Think it was when he was getting his shop built & were discussing lighting options.

Right you are! yea and since we have pulled all the 12's out of the shop here at work and replaced with T8's  And yes they come on when its cold or humid just as soon as you flip the switch. Plus it lowered the shops elec. bill about 100 bucks a month.

 

[Devilman]

Right you are! yea and since we have pulled all the 12's out of the shop here at work and replaced with T8's  And yes they come on when its cold or humid just as soon as you flip the switch. Plus it lowered the shops elec. bill about 100 bucks a month.

well lookee here you lurkin mofo you, lol.... :cheesy: