Shop lights?

[koop171]

I am looking at getting some hanging shop lights for my new 585 and I was looking at the dual 4' lights and they say they are T8 lights.

Now here is the questions.

What is the T ratings?

If the fixture is for T8 can I put other lights that are say T12 in it?

 

[Bderick67]

T ratings are the diameter of the tube in 1/8s of inch. You will need to look at the ballast to see whay lamps it will accept.

 

[koop171]

T ratings are the diameter of the tube in 1/8s of inch. You will need to look at the ballast to see whay lamps it will accept.

Nice info So if the lights are for T8s then they just may not fit the T12s.

 

[Alan Russell]

Nice info So if the lights are for T8s then they just may not fit the T12s.

There is no "may". T8 WILL NOT fit a T12. The T is not a rating it refers to the size of the bulb as Bderick just said. The diameter not length. The T8 is the smallest and the T12 I believe is the biggest. Trying to use a T12 bulb on a T8 fixture would be like playing putt putt with a softball.
It won't work the other way around either. If you have a T12 fixture you will have to buy T12 bulbs. No way around it. If you don't like the T12s you will have to buy a fixture that is made to use the bulbs you do want.

 

[turtle_girl]

There are shop light fixtures that are made for T8 & T12s. I bought one today, from Walmart and mounted it over my turtle tank. See pic below...

 

[Tongue33]

T ratings are the diameter of the tube in 1/8s of inch. You will need to look at the ballast to see whay lamps it will accept.

Key word Ballast

There is no "may". T8 WILL NOT fit a T12. The T is not a rating it refers to the size of the bulb as Bderick just said. The diameter not length. The T8 is the smallest and the T12 I believe is the biggest. Trying to use a T12 bulb on a T8 fixture would be like playing putt putt with a softball.
It won't work the other way around either. If you have a T12 fixture you will have to buy T12 bulbs. No way around it. If you don't like the T12s you will have to buy a fixture that is made to use the bulbs you do want.

Actually they will work and they will fit How long a T8 will work on a T12 ballast is another story.. And vise versa.. T12 ballast will likely burn out faster if using T8's and same with T8 using a T12. BUT.. They will work... And they can will likely work for a long time.

And T8 is not the smallest

There are shop light fixtures that are made for T8 & T12s. I bought one today, from Walmart and mounted it over my turtle tank. See pic below...

Yes..

It is still a good idea to check and see what the ballast is rated at.

 

[Bud8Fan]

There are shop light fixtures that are made for T8 & T12s.

You are correct. The two I bought from Menards are designed for either T8 or T12 bulbs.

Most newer ones will run both. When in doubt check the label on the ballast.

 

[FSM]

The light I had worked with T8 and 12 bulbs. It broke though, so I bought a $9 dollar shop light from Home Depot. It only works with T12. The T8 fixture they had only took 32 watt bulbs, so there wasn't really another option.

T8 is just a thinner diameter, which is good because it blocks less of its own light. More energy efficient too, I think.


The connector things on the end don't change, so either bulb will fit, it just may not light up. The T8 bulb I have just lights up dimly at the ends if I try that.

 

[koop171]

good info guys thanks alot. When I was looking at good ole wally world last night they only had one type of T18 bulb and LOTS of T12s and the fixtures were made for T8 that's why I asked. I guess ill be making a trip to lowes or menards this weekend and see what they got