Electricial Question

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Getting ready to change out a bunch of 48" lights in my office. At Lowes I noticed that they come in 1" diameters and 11/4" diameters. I have 11/4" in my fixtures but it looks like the prongs in the 1" are the same size as the 1 1/4". Can I use the 1" in my fixtures?? They are cheaper and have the same lumens.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Took me a minute to find a page explaining this better than I can. Scroll down to "Size" and read from there. The wattage of the bulb also has to match the fixture. You will likely need new fixtures but they will save you the bucks on the electric bill in the long run.

Fluorescent T8 vs. T12 Bulbs | eHow.com

 

[gunlovingirl]

They are cheaper and have the same lumens.

What a question from a man of your wealth and taste.

 

[29aholic]

Eventually T12's will be phased out anyway, so by changing your fixtures to T8's will be the way to go

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

What a question from a man of your wealth and taste.

Homey don't dop lightbulbs That's why I have my minions

Eventually T12's will be phased out anyway, so by changing your fixtures to T8's will be the way to go

Right you are-however I think I'll just slog on with my old T12's for another 7-8 years and by then, I'll be retired. Like that guy that wanted me to get a 50 year roof on my house! Told him that I wasn't planning to be around that long and that a 20 year roof was just fine

 

[Maximumbob54]

Most of the Home Depot's will take your old bulbs. I would think sLowes will do the same thing.

 

[Onomea]

... Like that guy that wanted me to get a 50 year roof on my house! Told him that I wasn't planning to be around that long and that a 20 year roof was just fine

That's good! I am looking at a quote like that right now.

 

[1 old 0311]

Homey don't dop lightbulbs That's why I have my minions


Right you are-however I think I'll just slog on with my old T12's for another 7-8 years and by then, I'll be retired. Like that guy that wanted me to get a 50 year roof on my house! Told him that I wasn't planning to be around that long and that a 20 year roof was just fine

Heck. Last time I went to the Doctor he wanted me to pay BEFORE I left. I think that was a hint.

 

[mudcat100]

You will also need to change the ballast.The fixtures you have are probably the older magnetic type which are being phased out. The T8 lamps used with the newer electronic ballasts are more energy efficient. If you have a lot of the fixtures,some of the power companies are giving incentives ($$$) to change them out.We do make service calls.Thanks.

 

[35Rem]

Yep, have to change the ballast to use the T-8's. Most are 32 watts, as opposed the the 40 watts of the T-12. For a 4 lamp fixture, that's 32 watts of energy savings alone. Also, the electronic ballasts are cooler operating = less work for your A/C unit.

The T-8's usually produce more lumens than the T-12 = More Light

 

[enfield]

T8 (1" diameter) bulbs have the same pin spacing as the T12 ( 1-1/2") bulbs, but they're not interchangeable. The T12 bulbs are probably 40 watt and the T8's are probably 32 watt. The ballast resistor is the difference, and it's probably cheaper to replace the light fixtures than to replace the ballast. If you're currently using 40W T12, stick with them.

My retirement job is in the Electrical department at Lowe's.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I thought you had a coal oil lamp.

 

[CelticSire]

I thought you had a coal oil lamp.

I thought all lawyers did their work with charcoal on the back of a shovel by the light of the fireplace.

 

[red14]

T8 (1" diameter) bulbs have the same pin spacing as the T12 ( 1 1/4") bulbs, but they're not interchangeable. The T12 bulbs are probably 40 watt and the T8's are probably 32 watt. The ballast resistor is the difference, and it's probably cheaper to replace the light fixtures than to replace the ballast. If you're currently using 40W T12, stick with them.

My retirement job is in the Electrical department at Lowe's.

The older t-12s last longer than the new ones. Just like everything else.

 

[Andy Griffith]

This light bulb stuff is a racket.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I thought you had a coal oil lamp.

How 'bout I come over and do that prostate operation for ya????

 

[bobelk99]

What a question from a man of your wealth and taste.

I have heard that savings can increase ones wealth .

 

[Pete99004]

If it makes you feel any better, your computer is probably in need of upgrading as well! Can't take it with you, might as well spend some of it now. Your country needs your input!

Pete

 

[gregintenn]

Homey don't dop lightbulbs That's why I have my minions


Right you are-however I think I'll just slog on with my old T12's for another 7-8 years and by then, I'll be retired. Like that guy that wanted me to get a 50 year roof on my house! Told him that I wasn't planning to be around that long and that a 20 year roof was just fine

I work with a guy who is in his mid 70's, A few years back, he was bragging about the new 50 year roof he'd had installed. Wasn't long before a tornado leveled his house. I didn't have the heart to ask him how good that warranty was.

 

[tyusclan]

The older t-12s last longer than the new ones. Just like everything else.

Gotta disagree here. I detest government mandates making us change out bulbs, but the T-8s are an improvement over the T-12s.

Just as an FYI, I talked with my electrical supply salesman yesterday, and T-12 bulbs will no longer be manufactured after December 31. After that, once the supplies on hand are exhausted they will be gone for good.

 

[Babalooie]

Gotta disagree here. I detest government mandates making us change out bulbs, but the T-8s are an improvement over the T-12s.

Just as an FYI, I talked with my electrical supply salesman yesterday, and T-12 bulbs will no longer be manufactured after December 31. After that, once the supplies on hand are exhausted they will be gone for good.

If they stop making the T12's in December, wait a while. Manufacturers will be gearing up for the T8's and will glut the market with fixtures and lamps. Save your T12 bulbs and sell them at an outrageous price to someone who doesn't want to make the change.

 

[tyusclan]

If they stop making the T12's in December, wait a while. Manufacturers will be gearing up for the T8's and will glut the market with fixtures and lamps. Save your T12 bulbs and sell them at an outrageous price to someone who doesn't want to make the change.

New fixtures have been coming with T-8s for 2 years or longer. I've been buying extra T-12s for a while in order to change bulbs when only the bulbs were bad. For over 2 years I've been converting the fixture to T-8 any time a ballast went bad. Once the T-12 bulbs are gone, I'll have to change a ballast and convert to T-8, even if the current ballast is still good and only the bulbs are bad.

 

[mtheo]

When you switch over to electronic ballasts you can kiss your FM radio reception good bye, except for very close and strong stations.

 

[enfield]

Most broadcast receivers have a passband as broad as a barn door and will attempt to capture every signal within the passband. That's probably why your radio has problems with electronic ballasts. A different radio may give you different results.

 

[mtheo]

Most broadcast receivers have a passband as broad as a barn door and will attempt to capture every signal within the passband. That's probably why your radio has problems with electronic ballasts. A different radio may give you different results.

Sounds like useful knowledge........ is there anything I should look for on the back of the receiver or on the spec sheets...If I go into Best Buy asking such questions I'll just get a bovine stare and some useless yikkitty yak sales talk .
I d hate to ditch this receiver..paid a pretty penny for it.
On the other hand, I hadn't thought about emailing Crane Radio!

Thanks

 

[enfield]

Google "fm selectivity".

 

[wraco]

Eventually T12's will be phased out anyway, so by changing your fixtures to T8's will be the way to go

I've heard tell that in some areas of Canada and the USA, T12 tubes are no longer available and have surfaced on the black market.

Since 2008 most commercial ugrades and tenant improvements I've done, T8 lighting has been included. The HVAC systems were at the end of their lifespan and were in the scope of upgrade which meant the T-bar ceilings and lighting had to be removed to change out the HVAC fan coils.

My electrical contractor clued me into to available government grants and rebates involving T12 to T-8 upgrades. Factoring these grants and rebates into the equation allowed for complete change out of the light fixtures apposed to changing only the ballists and tubes. The reflector shields on the T-8 fixtures greatly improve the efficiency of the fixtures as also the light grilles have a reflective quality. The T-8 fixtures required only two tubes to equal and surpass the existing four tube T-12 fixtures. These were bid on jobs and every dollar counted.

I did the same with the washrooms; changed out the older toilets for dual flush low volume units. My plumber arranged a City rebate. It was around $50 to $75 per toilet. (forget exactly). I sent the Plumbers invoice in to City along with a recyling receipt for the old toilets and they sent me the rebate.

Rod

 

[DOEBOY1]

The t-8 fixture will be better for you. The bulbs are not dependant on each other to work, in other words when you have one bulb go out in a 2 bulb fixture the good bulb will stay on unlike the t12. Also the t-8s are cost less to run and give off more light. Another advantage is they work so much better in the cold weather. If I were you I would get an electrician in the office and change the ballasts out because you will have to have one to put the new lights in. It only takes about 15 mins to change the ballast out. You would save so much more in the long run, plus you can write it all off your taxes. I don't even think you have to have a permit for it at least you don't in NC. Service work. Good luck! Doeboy