Lighting Question about T-10 and T-8 Bulbs

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SeverumSeeker

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 25, 2008
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Tennessee
I just recieved my two Twin tube Light kits from Home Depot.
On the Box, it says to use two 32 watt T-8 bulbs only.

My problem is, I got a really good deal on 4 Aqua Glow bulbs at
Petsmart for $25.00 out the door.
They are 48" 40 watt bulbs and they are T-10. Not T-8

I love the Aqua Glow bulbs. I have been using them for years.
But I am concerned about using these T-10's in a T-8 fixture that
does not call for them.

Am I being over cautious? Is there any harm in using a T-10 40watt bulb
in a T-8 32 watt fixture?
Or should I return my great deal and pay $70.00 for the T-8's?

Thanks
 
In a short answer you will be perfectly fine.

Since you are running electronic ballast shop lights when you have some time look into ODNO. It is a cheap easy way to almost double the light output.
 
The only problem is they might not fit. Remember, the "t" number refers to the diameter of the bulb.
 
Yes the "t" number is the diameter of the lamp in 1/8ths of an inch. Never heard of T10s though, sure they are not T12s? Either way the pin configuration is the same for both. Nowadays most electronic ballast can do either, if you look at the ballast lable you can tell for sure. There is no danger in trying these lamps, worse that can happen is they just don't work.
 
The lights do fit the fixture. So thats good.
I was mainly worried about the warning on the fixture that says only use T-8 bulbs to prevent possible fire.

Here is a few pics of the warning and the lable that says T-10 on it.

Light.jpg

light 1.jpg

light 2.jpg

light 3.jpg
 
You need to look on the ballast label to see if it will handle the higher wattage bulbs. You may have to remove a couple of screws to find it.

If it is not rated for bulbs above T-8 wattage I would NOT use them. There would be a chance of fire from overloading the ballast. As stated previously a lot of newer ballast can run T-8 through T-12 with no problems but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Especially when we are talking about (worst case scenario) burning down a house and possibly killing people.
 
Bud8Fan;2652293; said:
You need to look on the ballast label to see if it will handle the higher wattage bulbs. You may have to remove a couple of screws to find it.

If it is not rated for bulbs above T-8 wattage I would NOT use them. There would be a chance of fire from overloading the ballast. As stated previously a lot of newer ballast can run T-8 through T-12 with no problems but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Especially when we are talking about (worst case scenario) burning down a house and possibly killing people.
Click to expand...

Putting a T-12 bulb or T10 in this case in a T8 fixture with a T8 rated ballast isn't going to over load the ballast the same amount of electricity is still being consumed by the ballast. What it will do though is under power the bulbs pushing 32 watts into a 40 watt bulb. The 40W bulbs aren't going to put out as much light as they are capable of.
 
Good point. Still doesn't sound very safe to me.

But I have babies at home so I don't like to take risks like that. :)
 
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