T-12 to T-8 retrofit kits

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arnettda

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What is easier to do when changing from a 8ft two lamp T-12 fixture to a 8ft four lamp T-8 fixtue. The retrofit kits where you replace and add the thombstones and mounting plates plus the ballast. Or installing a new four lamp fixture? Most fixtures only have one pipe comming into them.
Thanks
 
OK, everyone who's said 'phooey' to 'listing' and 'just done it' raise your hands! :)

What's the fuss? Change tombstones? Why? Add reflectors? Why? Changing over the fixture is no harder than changing the ballast. Indeed, that's all there is to it- at least, from a technical perspective. The existing tombstones work just fine; for all but the oldest fixtures there's not even any need to rewire the tombstones. The ballasts are direct swap-outs.

Ease? If you change the fixtures you get to fuss with ceiling tie wires, replacing ceiling tiles, etc.

Now for the bad news ....
Our friends at UL have understandably taken the position that they 'don't know' if the fixture would still meet their listing criteria. Therefore, UL wants you to use a listed 'conversion kit.' Just swapping ballasts isn't enough for them.

I'll admit that many fixtures - especially the cheapest ones - are not designed for your being able to replace the ballasts, and for those you need to replace the whole thing. Others can have weird wiring arrangements to the tombstones.

The biggest arguments in favor of changing fixtures is that T-8's are a LOT brighter, and the existing lenses have yellowed with age.
Three T-8's more than equal four T-12's in brightness, so there's additional energy savings to harvest.
With decent lenses going for $30, the price of 'changover' starts approaching that of 'replacement.'
 
renosteinke said:
OK, everyone who's said 'phooey' to 'listing' and 'just done it' raise your hands! :)

What's the fuss? Change tombstones? Why? Add reflectors? Why? Changing over the fixture is no harder than changing the ballast. Indeed, that's all there is to it- at least, from a technical perspective. The existing tombstones work just fine; for all but the oldest fixtures there's not even any need to rewire the tombstones. The ballasts are direct swap-outs.

Ease? If you change the fixtures you get to fuss with ceiling tie wires, replacing ceiling tiles, etc.

Now for the bad news ....
Our friends at UL have understandably taken the position that they 'don't know' if the fixture would still meet their listing criteria. Therefore, UL wants you to use a listed 'conversion kit.' Just swapping ballasts isn't enough for them.

I'll admit that many fixtures - especially the cheapest ones - are not designed for your being able to replace the ballasts, and for those you need to replace the whole thing. Others can have weird wiring arrangements to the tombstones.

The biggest arguments in favor of changing fixtures is that T-8's are a LOT brighter, and the existing lenses have yellowed with age.
Three T-8's more than equal four T-12's in brightness, so there's additional energy savings to harvest.
With decent lenses going for $30, the price of 'changover' starts approaching that of 'replacement.'
Click to expand...

The OP is asking about converting 8 foot 2 lamp fixtures into tandem 4 lamp fixtures or replacing.

I would think it is a case by case decision. Every location will have its own set of circumstances that dictates what is easy or not, what is being used to reach the fixtures? What is in the way for accessibility? What is the condition of existing?
 
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