T12/T8 to T5 Conversion kits

[hbendillo]

Has anybody had any experience with the kits that convert T12 or T8 lamp fixtures to T5? I am talking about the kits that connect directly into T8 or T12 lamp sockets with T5 self-ballasted assembly. It's like replacing a lamp but most of the ones I've seen you have to do some rewiring first. You bypass the existing ballasts and rewire the sockets so that they have line voltage across each set.

I want to know the true cost of these kits and the pro and cons of using them on a large scale.

 

[Electric-Light]

I don't recommend it unless you could get the supplier to provide free testing on fixture you'll be using it on to prove that it will improve luminaire efficacy.

You will have to get inside and bypass the ballast. Depending on the conversion kit, you will then have to install current limiting block, so that full fault current isn't available at the tombstones. Not only are these kits expensive, they're quite laborious. There are some drop-in junk that works with MAGNETIC ballast still in place, however that ballast will eat some power and you will suffer efficacy.

T5 lamp-ballast system do not offer higher efficacy over good T8 system. F54T5/HO high output lamps are used in commercial setup and non HO T5s are only used where T8s can not be used to make the fixture thin enough.

I would look into CEE1 and/or NEMA premium ballast with RE80 T8 lamps. Specify standard lamps if maintenance is easy. Extra long life lamps if re-lamping process interferes with site operation or the lamps are difficult to replace.

Whatever you do, don't use anything other than F54T5/HO, F32T8 or its U equivalent. The most advanced technology is put into these lamps and their ballasts and they're the cheapest and most readily available.

 

[srasbury]

T5 kits

T5 kits

The specs I have seen on the T5 kits aren't very good.
1. There is very little lumen per watt advantage with these vs T8 .
2. The ballast life is only 40000 hours before you trash it and start over- thats only 2 lamp changes.
3. Since install requires you to open and basically rewire the fixture you might as well just do a regular ballast change and use the newer 28w extended life lamps 30-40,000 hours)
4. The T5 one I looked at burned 32 watts Green Savings I think was the name. Sold by a major national electrical distributor.