8' H.O. shop lights

[Snowboy]

I was thinking of putting in a set of 8' fluorescent lights the 2 tube system T12 high output so they can start in the cold. The circuit I want to run them off of runs my single door garage door opener and that’s all that on there. I'll bet the opener is less then 1/2 HP. Each tube is 90 watts. I wouldnt mind running T8's but not sure if they will start in the cold and or if i can just get a ballast that will power them. T8's are the thin like 1/2" round tubes's.
This do able?

Dave.

[Pickering Snow]

I wont buy t-12s anymore all my fixtures run the new small 8fters one they are brighter 2 they use less elec and no problems starting in cold weather the old shop down the road from my house i just changed over to new style there about 80 bucks per fixture but well worth the money. At one time the shop behind the house had twevle 4fters lighting it [i love light] i pulled them all out and run 6 t-8s just has bright and half the cost to operate.

Because of the size of the new shop the contracter installed the what i call merc vapor style lights there bright but take awhile to warm up in the morning during the winter even with the stat left at 50

[wyldman]

I have the 8 foot high output,and they work great.I also have a bunch of the 4 foot reg fixtures (the ones that have the cold start ballasts),and they work fine in the cold,but they don't put out a lot of light.One 8 foot high output will do the work of 5-6 4 footers.They also cast light a lot further down,so it's not dark down at the floor area.They little 4 footers don't.This means you can hang them higher,up and out of the way.

[Snowboy]

Fred,

I wouldn’t mind installing a merc vap light in the garage either but they run 220 don’t they? They suck allot more electricity then the T12's. Have to look into the cost of the T8's and merc vap.

1 Merc light or 1 set of either 8' T12 or T8 fixtures should be good for a 2 car garage eh?

Dave.

[Joey D]

I was thinking of putting in a set of 8' fluorescent lights the 2 tube system T12 high output so they can start in the cold. The circuit I want to run them off of runs my single door garage door opener and that’s all that on there. I'll bet the opener is less then 1/2 HP. Each tube is 90 watts. I wouldnt mind running T8's but not sure if they will start in the cold and or if i can just get a ballast that will power them. T8's are the thin like 1/2" round tubes's.
This do able?

Dave.
I think most 8' HO fixtures draw around 2.1 amps each. How big is the garage? How high are the ceilings? How often are you in there?
The flourecent fixtures are nice but you don't want to be turning them on and off every time you go into the garage, same with the high bays.
The high bay gas fixtures are nice for a shop where the lights are on all day and you have the ceiling height. They do make a low bay fixture as well.

[cat320]

I Was at a Lowes in Florida a few weeks ago and they has those new 2x4 fixture with 6 mini bulbs and they were extremely bright and I'll bet very cost efficent to run .They lit every thing up very bright with a white light .

[Ole JIM]

I DONO? I have tried THEM ALL!..Here in MAINE..I use HO Clear Bulbs..12 ft Ceiling & Tube type just don*t work all that great in COLD Weather..Since fuel oil has reached over $2.00 a gallon..WE schedule a full days of garage work & try to get every.thing Done?..& We all know!..theres allways? some.thing We forgot??..HEY MURPHYS LAW?..in my 70s I*M getting tired of busting My Hump outside!..& for what its Worth?..Mother Nature & "I" are going to have avery Long & Detailed Talk on this Weather ISSUE!..when I finally get UP there?..I personally Think?? She needs?..Well YOU all know!..so in a few yrs?..if You guys in the NORTH!..See Palm trees starting to Grow in your back Yard?..You will Know!.. I found HER & DID My THING!..I DONO? what? She looks Like?? Probably 10ft tall?..& Green? & coverd w/ Oak tree bark? but I*LL give IT a SHOT!..Any..WAY!..as I Figure She Peeeed On ME ENOUGH..My turn NOW!..Take CARE!..Ole JIM..