Florescent Gurus???

[KaiserSousay]

Has anyone ever added a switch to an end cap on a multi tube fixture?
I have a twin tube, T8 shop light, running a pair of 6500K bulbs.
I would like to be able to shut one bulb off for evening/night viewing.

 

[Clay]

Shouldn't be that hard to do, but the wiring depends on your particular fixture. Adding a switch could be as simple as purchasing the switch, some electrical tape, some xx guage wire (because I'm sure you don't have enough slack in the housing), a few wire nuts (or solder - I prefer solder and shrink wrap), and a half hour of time.

 

[dawnmarie]

Clay is on the right track. You will need a wiring schematic for the ballast to determine if the bulbs are wired in series or parrallel.
If all else fails add a separate ballast for the light you want to control and switch the supply side.

 

[KaiserSousay]

Thanks for the replies.
Sheesh, just looked at how I spelled fluorescent….???
Wonder what I was thinking.
The way the ballast changes voltage for igniting the bulb`s gas is what has me concerned.
Pretty sure it boosts house current to, I don`t know what level.
Whatever the level it goes to, could cause some real excitement when the switch gets thrown.
I can`t be the only one who thought of this.
Leaning towards, this will not work.
I can not recall seeing any posts about modding a multi tube light fixture so you could control each bulb independently.
Just guessing, but would probably need a separate ballast for each bulb, or set of bulbs, you want to control.
Will watch for any definitive answer from any “Wire Wizards” out there.

 

[KaiserSousay]

OK, thought this over.
I will get another $10 shop light, rob the ballast and run each light off of it`s own ballast.
Simple....
Plus I don`t have to worry about a mini lightining storm when turning a switch.

 

[dawnmarie]

Better safe than sorry.
They sell replacement ballasts at Home Depot.
This might be cheaper than buying a light.

 

[nes999]

why not just use the new light?

 

[KaiserSousay]

why not just use the new light?

Tank top real estate...
Do not want to shift light fixtures around every water change, pooh cleanings, or up to my elbows general mucking around.
Twin tube, T8 shop lights are around 5 inches wide, so a pair would eat up too much space.
I could use a pair of single tube T5, but they cost $20 or so each. Add in the limited(next to none)local availabilty of different spectrum bulbs for the T5 so they are out.
I can get a wide assortment of T8 bulbs at HD/Lowes/WalMart for not much $.
Ballasts have shrunk to 3/4 the size of the older units, so there is plenty of space for 2 in the fixture.
Cheaper to buy the whole fixture than just a ballast..go figure.