T8 failed search

[chris kennedy]

I have 1500 luminaries to retro-fit T12-T8. We bid it as ballasts, lamps and disposal only. Just found out about this today and remember threads about using T12 tombstones with T8 lamps. Little help please.

Thanks

 

[jumper]

T8 lamps fit into T12 tombstones. They are the same AFAIK.

 

[Jljohnson]

We do this all the time Chris, no issue until you try to retro-fit to T-5.

 

[iwire]

It depends on the ballast type.

We did about 5000 - 6000 in a warehouse and with the ballasts we used the lamp sockets would have to be changed if they where 'internally shunted'

This means one conductor would supply both pins, the ballasts we were using required two separate conductors from the ballasts to the pins.

This explains it in detail

http://www.gelighting.com/na/busine...white_papers/download/121878_lamp_holders.pdf

 

[chris kennedy]

Good link and good info all.

Bob, may I ask how long it took to do each fixture? I realize every application is different. I our case I am told this is an occupied jail. All tools must be accounted for in and out and we will be accompanied by a guard. Our office originally bid it at one hour per fixture, came in over budget so I reduced it to ?hr per. No high ceilings. Also don't know the age of existing so figuring on a broken or burnt tombstone here and there.

 

[DAWGS]

I would think you would be safe with that labor unit. That many fixtures you can usually come up with time saving methods.

 

[chris kennedy]

I would think you would be safe with that labor unit. That many fixtures you can usually come up with time saving methods.

No doubt, after the first few you get on a roll.

 

[iwire]

Good link and good info all.

Bob, may I ask how long it took to do each fixture? I realize every application is different. I our case I am told this is an occupied jail. All tools must be accounted for in and out and we will be accompanied by a guard. Our office originally bid it at one hour per fixture, came in over budget so I reduced it to ?hr per. No high ceilings. Also don't know the age of existing so figuring on a broken or burnt tombstone here and there.

OK in our case, 12' height, all ladder work.

The large majority of original fixtures were 2 lamp 8' HO fixtures with magnetic ballasts

We had to strip these down to just the 'C' shaped main part of the fixture, tek screw in new end and center brackets, new ballasts, sockets, wires, reflectors, lamps.

Around 45 minutes each.

 

[chris kennedy]

OK in our case, 12' height, all ladder work.

The large majority of original fixtures were 2 lamp 8' HO fixtures with magnetic ballasts

We had to strip these down to just the 'C' shaped main part of the fixture, tek screw in new end and center brackets, new ballasts, sockets, wires, reflectors, lamps.

Around 45 minutes each.

Yeah, that sounds much more complicated than my scenario. Thanks.

 

[laketime]

Not to high jack the thread but what is the wattage on an 8' T12 lamp (not HO)?

 

[ceb58]

Good link and good info all.

Bob, may I ask how long it took to do each fixture? I realize every application is different. I our case I am told this is an occupied jail. All tools must be accounted for in and out and we will be accompanied by a guard. Our office originally bid it at one hour per fixture, came in over budget so I reduced it to ?hr per. No high ceilings. Also don't know the age of existing so figuring on a broken or burnt tombstone here and there.

You may have screwed your self on the time. Nothing moves fast in a jail. Even when I worked for the DOC and did not need an escort things moved slow. People in the way, bunks, tables and chairs to move. You may as well get used to 1 hour getting in and 1 hour getting out. Then the work will probably stop during count time which can take around 30min. IF they dont screw up the count. Look for this about twice per shift. Also the fixtures may have security screws in the lens so be prepared for that.

 

[hurk27]

If these are T-8/32 watt (48") As far as the ballast go, if you get the 3-wire Motorola electronic ones, there a snap to change out, old wiring has two yellows to both ears on one end, and two reds to to one ear and two blues to the other, the new electronic ballast will have a red which just gets connected to both yellow wires to the two ears on the one end, and two boles which one will go to the two reds on one ear, and one will go the the two blues on the other ear, very simple.

but like was mentioned getting into these fixtures might be a problem if you don't have a security bit set, and clear access, some of these fixture can be a pain to get apart just because there design this way.

Motorola I guess sold out to Sylvania?

Anyway here is the link to the ones I use, its the same 3-wire version:

QUICKTRONIC? T8 Instant Start UNIVERSAL VOLTAGE

 

[hurk27]

To add to above, I keep the two lamp ones in stock and the 4 lamp ones, as they allow one or two lamp operation by capping off one of the blue wires, and the 4-lamp version will work for 3 lamps by doing the same thing, also the voltage rating is 120-277 not 120/277 which means it will work from 120 to 277 volts, so there a handy ballast to have for fast change outs on the fly.

 

[ceb58]

One other thing Chris, don't drop the soap

 

[LarryFine]

Anyway here is the link to the ones I use, its the same 3-wire version:

QUICKTRONIC? T8 Instant Start UNIVERSAL VOLTAGE

That ballast wires just like a sign ballast.

 

[hurk27]

Not to high jack the thread but what is the wattage on an 8' T12 lamp (not HO)?

single pin 8' T-12 is around 96 watts
8' T-8 is around 59 watts depending upon which lamp you use.

QUICKTRONIC? T8 59 Instant Start UNIVERSAL VOLTAGE

 

[hurk27]

That ballast wires just like a sign ballast.

We don't see many single pins used in signs here unless there inside, most outdoor signs here used double pin base HO or VHO type lamps, VHO are getting very rare, and I suspect the same for HO's in the near future