Fluorescent T8 Ballasts

[ultrarunner]

Glad it worked out and thanks for taking the time to post the pictures...

 

[EddieWalker]

I have T12's in my shop and after about nine months, they started flickering and burning out bulbs. I changed the bulbs without any improvement. So I figured it was the ballast.

I bought them at Lowes, and this was the first time I've bought Lowes flourecent lights. When I looked at there replacement ballasts, I had a feeling that they were junk and I didn't want to replace junk with junk. I can't tell you for sure what it was, but I decided to go to Home Depot instead.

I've bought quite a few flourecent lights from Home Depot and never had a problem with them. I bought 4 new T12 ballasts there, put them in and haven't had any problems in over a year with them.

Eddie

 

[Bird]

I've still not really solved the problem I posted in this thread, but I guess I should replace the ballasts. I've replaced everything else, but from what I've seen at Lowe's and Home Depot, you can buy an entire new fixture for about the same price as a ballast. I've just kind of gotten used to the fact that some lights come on and others do not when I turn the switches on, and it's not the same ones that do or do not each time. But usually, just give them 5 to 10 minutes and the rest will come on.

 

[dfkrug]

. I liked the idea of using two ballasts for two bulbs each. Went out and bought two higher quality (industrial) ballasts and installed them both. No more cheap ballast for me. We'll see how long they last.

I have 8 of the electronic ballast 4-ft 2-bulb T8 units. They have been
great and trouble-free for 8+ years. I bought them from an industrial
lighting shop, special ordered. The first ones I tried were the best ones
available at Home Depot, which flickered at lower temps. Ripped them out
and paid $50ea for my current units. I don't know the brand. The
industrial lighting supplier also offered 4 different colors of bulbs.

As for the electronic-ballast dual bulb round units I use in the house,
I have had numerous ballast failures. These are Chinese-made units
and the ballasts are not replaceable. :-(