T8 versus T12 fluorescent lighting, which one is the best. T8s are the newer, "more efficient" lights, and they are supposed to light at lower temperature.
I was utterly disappointed the other day going into my shop, wired with three new T8 fixtures and an old salvaged T12, none of them lit up. The temperature was only -30 deg C, and I can still expect it to go down to -40 ish before winter ends. It has warmed up to -20 deg C today, and only one of my 3 T8s lit up, I almost got more flickering light out of the T12.
Recently I found they started making the mini fluorescent lights in 42 watts, equivalent to the 150 watt incandescents. 23 watts used to be the biggest minis you could buy. If I did it all again, in the shop, I would do all 42 watt mini fluorescents in the standard porcelain base. I don't expect them to light in -30 to -40 either, but I can just unscrew them in Winter and screw in some warm incandescents for the winter. Plus the installation and fixture costs, are way down.
That is my two bits, for a more detailed comparison of T8 vs T12 go here.
I also have about 20 used T12 4', 4 tube, ceiling tile fixtures for sale. Completely working, tubes and all were $80 new, selling them for $20 each, but if you found them here I will let you have some for $10 each. They make great summer shop lights.
No comments:
Post a Comment