I have 2 standard incandescent receptacles in the garage that are extremely lacking with 2 CFL bulbs... i'm considering moving to 2x4' fluorescent tube lights. Can someone familiar with this tell me the pros and cons of getting T12 bulbs vs. T8 vs. T5, high output, etc?

Also, I don't want to spend too much on the ballast/fixture itself. I'd like something that mounts flush or close-to-flush with the ceiling, but also plugs in (thinking about replacing the old light fixture with an electrical outlet). Any suggestions? Pics would be welcomed.

4/8/2014 2:28:00 PM

I installed (2) 2x4 plain-Jane fixtures in my basement... not sure about their bulbs but the entire fixture was <$30ea.

4/8/2014 3:00:04 PM

T12 lamps are being phased out (they may already be gone, i don't remember), so go with T8

4/8/2014 5:22:51 PM

I have some 2 and 4 bulb 2'x4' fixtures that i'd sell for $10 each. I'll throw in bulbs (T8) too. I think I have 4 or 5 total. I'd prefer you take them all. Bunch of bulbs. Trying to get rid of a bunch of stuff.

You can get the bulb base to socket converters and wire them up to a standard plug. Just attach to ceiling and go!

[Edited on April 8, 2014 at 7:21 PM. Reason : d]

4/8/2014 7:19:26 PM

If you have room for T8s and don't need a whole lot of light I would go with those over T5s. The hardware should be cheaper. Just in case you see any, LEDs are starting to make headway into general lighting and you can get kits for converting flush-mount fluorescent fixtures into LED fixtures. I would stay away from those for a few more years though. The pay back is still long enough the lamp may fail before it has paid for itself. (especially if it is a cheap Chinese knock-off)

Just a fyi, florescent lamps are often rated by hours but its usually more accurate to rate the number of starts (unless the light is never switched off). Therefore, switching a fluorescent light off when you walk out for a few minutes, then back on will make the lamps (and ballast) fail faster. If you think this will be a problem, consider at paying a little extra for a "programmed start" ballast.

4/8/2014 9:19:41 PM

I just realized my previous post is a little broken... I have 4 or 5 fixtures, and 20+ bulbs.

4/9/2014 3:36:26 PM

T12s waste 12% more power than t8s and t8s waste 12% more power than t5s.


T5 ballasts burn out 30% more frequently than t8.

Trust me I manage 4.8million square feet. Go t8 or commercial grade LED the middle ground is worthless.

4/9/2014 7:23:02 PM

so I have a couple of T12 fixtures in my garage. I bought new bulbs when an old set went out, but one of the new ones has a really bad pulsing problem until it "warms up"

is this a ballast thing? bad bulb?

2/12/2015 11:10:24 AM

^^ I, too, have heard that T8 or LED is the way to go.

2/12/2015 12:25:47 PM

^^ Switch it with a different one and see if the problem follows the lamp or socket. I would guess it's the ballast.

2/12/2015 5:40:33 PM