[Shop-talk] Shop light sweet spot?

[David Scheidt]

On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 5:27 PM, Doug Braun <doug at dougbraun.com> wrote:
> My garage has twof 8-foot long fixtures (from Home Depot) that each have a
> pair ofT12 HO bulbs, which are pretty bright.  The fixtures
> originally came with magnetic ballasts, which ran hot, and hummed and
> flickered a lot in the cold.  Then about a year ago I
> found (again at Home Depot) compatible GE-brand electronic ballasts, which
> were reasonably-priced.  Now the lights work
> fine even below freezing.  They also use significantly less electricity than
> before.
>
> The moral of the story is, I guess, that electronic ballasts are the way to
> go.
>

Oh, definitely.  In addition to the benefits you mention, there are
others.  Electronic "instant start" ballasts are easier to wire
(Usually two wires to each tube, one at each end, no shared wires),
and the nicer ballasts can run 120, 240,  and 277.  Most can deal with
being wired for any number of supported tubes, and they deal with
failed or failing tubes well (shut the flickering tube off, let the
others run).  Instant start ballasts (which use a high (>1000V)
Voltage to start the tube, without preheating) are bad for tube life
if they're turned on and off all the time.  Rapid start and programed
start bulbs heat the cathodes, so they're better for tube life.  they
cost a bit more, and have more wires, but if you're flipping the
lights on all the time, they're worth it.



-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com