Can't buy T-12 light bulbs

[murphy1244]

Well new goverment regs have outlawed the manufactoring of T-12 fluoresent bulbs as of last Saturday. Buy them up now cause the new bulbs won't work with the old ballast. See New light bulb rules go into effect Saturday - KansasCity.com

 

[podagrower]

2 lamp 4' T8 ballasts can be had for less than $20. Instant start, so when you flick on the switch the light comes on, and if one bulb is bad, the other will still light, no more trying to figure out if it's a bad bulb or a bad ballast.

I stopped buying T12 ballasts 5 or 6 years ago. They get an automatic upgrade nowadays.

BUT, I did rip down 75 light fixtures installed in 1971 that still had their original, PCB using T12 ballasts, and I don't think you will ever get that kind of life out of any new ballast.

 

[murphy1244]

I got my barn done with 6- 8 foot t-12s. wonder if they are going to stop making those also.

 

[oldnslo]

I believe all T-12 bulbs are being obsoleted. You might get lucky if the fixtures are new enough that the electronic ballast will work with either T-12 or T-8 bulbs.

Note: The new electronic ballasts frequently interfere with radio reception.

 

[kenmac]

I replaced my T12,s with T8's in my shop. I love the T 8's instant light even in cold weather. On T 8's the larger the # on the bulb = brighter light. I bought the highest # they had & they put out more light than the T12's

 

[WilliamBos]

You can buy the new ballasts and retro the old fixtures! Also a good idea to buy the cover guard bulbs, the bulb itself is laminated, so if it gets hit or dropped, no glass to clean up.

 

[rekees4300]

My shed has 16 dual-lamp fixtures using 8 foot T12's. 5 fixtures stopped working so figured it was time to fix the problem. Have spent hours trying to figure what to order and where to order it. Old ballasts are obsolete and the recommended replacements have replacements. :confused2: Now even the T12s are becoming obsolete! Need a scorecard to keep up with the EPA edicts! The local hardware stores are clueless and/or without inventory. Ordered 15 lamps and 6 ballasts from 1000bulbs.com. Recommend them highly. :thumbsup:

 

[sdb]

If you are looking to buy T-12's you may want to try lightbulbsdirect.com They currently still have some bulbs and ballasts available.

 

[k0ua]

I bought 20 of them today., should last a good long while. I have a lot of t12 fixtures.

James K0UA