OT T8 Tubes

woodchucker · 2016-04-22T17:03:26+00:00

I am having a problem with some T8's that I bought from HD. They are Phillips Altos. I have two boxes, of 10 one is daylight, one is for home and office (not sure of K). Anyway they keep burning out in 3 months. I have tried replacing the ballast, I have tried other fixtures, I started dating them in marker on the bulbs. They never are great, when they come on they are bright, but over a few minutes they get darker and zebra lines (best way to describe the pulsing) start appearing. Any idea why this is happening? What would make one brand of tube behave so poorly?

Apr 22, 2016 27 Replies

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woodchucker 10 years ago

Yep, The units required that. I thought I had chosen rapid start. But found out Friday that they were instant start. Surprise, surprise. But they are wired correctly.

When I looked up the model # of the ballast.

I don't know what the 3 bulb drop ceiling units in the basement are. I didn't build them, just installed them.

The stripes have disappeared after the gases stabilized in a couple of hours. New bulbs they told me (Philips) will do that.

At any rate they recommended I try other brands, which I have explained I have, and they did work well. It's the phillips bulbs that are not working well, and providing short life.

So, I think I've got to be tough and not take the easy way out while at HD. I've got to either go to Lowe's or a supplier, or online.

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Spalted Walt 10 years ago

I'm curious as to how those Feit A19 LEDs are doing for you now. I remember you had a couple that flickered right out of the box. Did you end up returning them all, or are you still using them. If so, do you like them?

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woodchucker 10 years ago

I kept them, I like what I see so far. HD by work no longer carries the Feits, and neither does my other store by my home. Now they carry the ECO line (if I remember).

I would like some brighter bulbs 60w equiv is ok, but I want 75 and 100, and those are still very , very pricey.

I'm considering what to do when I redo the bathroom. I haven't decided, but the Vermont style ceilings are going away, which means fixtures or recessed. Not sure I want recessed due to heat loss, and the bathroom is where the roof comes down, so it's tight to work in; for insulating that is.

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Electric Comet 10 years ago

do not know what they are but you may have a problem with your electrical

have you ever checked your lines for excessive noise and other anomalies

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notbob 10 years ago

One might try yer local hydroponics grow store. Yes, living in CO, I know what hydro grow stores are for. Regardless, T8 bulbs and fixtures play a huge part in indoor hydro grow lighting. I know growers who use T8's exclusively. May be more costly than HD and Lowe's, but yer not likely to get flakey flickers from grow-light T8's.

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Puckdropper 10 years ago

woodchucker wrote in news:rN6dnZ0e snipped-for-privacy@ptd.net:

Have you looked at Home Depot's site to see if they're available online? Sometimes you get free "ship to store" or "ship to home" (I think it's $45 for Home Depot) shipping as well as more product availability.

Puckdropper

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