Re: Well, it's official « Reply #2 on: July 01, 2010, 07:15:53 AM »
I'm glad that we can still get magnetic RS ballasts for F32T8 lamps. Now, if we could figure out how to rewire a LPF ballast and convert it to HPF we'd be good. I don't think this should affect us too much though since we can always go down to thrift shops, flea markets or Urban Ore/ReStore type stores and find used fixtures with magnetic ballasts in them.
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David Lay
Administrator, Lighting-Gallery.net

	Re: Well, it's official « Reply #3 on: July 12, 2010, 08:06:15 PM »
I've noticed that in some shops around here, 4" T12 fixtures with bad ballasts are being replaced with T8s, probably because the replacements were being phased out.  So, there will be one or two T8 fixtures in a building otherwise lit with T12.  What's funny is that I can think of four places off the top of my head where whoever installed the new ballast/fixture didn't bother to match the color temperature of the existing T12s, and as a result there are a few T8 fixtures with 3000K or 3500K lamps while all of the rest are T12 with either 4100K, 5000K, or 6500K (depending on the location).  I can actually think of a 5th place, but it already had a mixture of CW and WW T12s in addition to the new 3000K T8s.
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Patrick C., Administrator
Lighting-Gallery.net

	Re: Well, it's official « Reply #4 on: July 14, 2010, 08:34:15 AM »
Quote from: pjc on July 12, 2010, 08:06:15 PM I've noticed that in some shops around here, 4" T12 fixtures with bad ballasts are being replaced with T8s, probably because the replacements were being phased out.  So, there will be one or two T8 fixtures in a building otherwise lit with T12.  What's funny is that I can think of four places off the top of my head where whoever installed the new ballast/fixture didn't bother to match the color temperature of the existing T12s, and as a result there are a few T8 fixtures with 3000K or 3500K lamps while all of the rest are T12 with either 4100K, 5000K, or 6500K (depending on the location).  I can actually think of a 5th place, but it already had a mixture of CW and WW T12s in addition to the new 3000K T8s.  I hate that crap!  There are plenty of times I have replaced bad T12 ballasts with T8, at customer's request, but I always match the color with the existing lamps. I would much rather rewire an existing fixture than to replace it, then have an oddball fixture.  That also looks like crap!
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Preheat Fluorescents forever!

I love fluorescent lighting, especially "old school" technology and I love diesel engines.

	Re: Well, it's official « Reply #5 on: July 14, 2010, 06:24:56 PM »
I see mixed colors all the time & i gotta agree it looks bad ------- I know one place where in a hall they replaced the lights - originals were standard 4'x2' ceiling troffers 4 lamp T12 rapid start, the replacements are the same thing but 3 lamp instant start... but they ran out of 4'x2' fixtures, so instead of getting more they just threw in a couple 2'x2' units LOL those look so out of place! The original lights in that hall were also spaced at random intervals (which looked like crap...they even kept random spacing) Most rooms & halls  in that same building (thats been renovated or lights "upgraded") is done with 3500k, now there's some 4100k and a few 3000k randomly mixed in
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Colored Flourescent's rule, there's nothing like a good F40T12/Red or  F40T12/Green or  F40T12/Blue lamp. Same goes for any Aquarium and/or Gro-Lux lamps.

	Re: Well, it's official « Reply #7 on: July 24, 2010, 12:37:30 PM »
As I understand it, you can still get new fixtures with electronic T12 ballasts and can still get electronic T12 ballasts new.  Only the magnetic ones are banned, so we can still power up F40 lamps, correct?
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Preheat Fluorescents forever!

I love fluorescent lighting, especially "old school" technology and I love diesel engines.

	Re: Well, it's official « Reply #8 on: September 07, 2010, 02:21:17 PM »
I feel sorry for you guys i would be really annoyed if they banned magnetic ballasts here, How come you have so many problems with magnetic ballasts in your T12 fittings? I have old 8' fittings from the late 50s/60s switch start that have never had a ballast change ever! Infact in one of the sports halls i look after they have thorlux 8'125w 1971 fitting used every day not one has had to have a replacement ballast! No electronic ballast would do that!
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Electrical and Lighting Maintenance Engineer. I am not the person sitting in a office reading what manufactures say stuff does...My experience is first hand!!

	Re: Well, it's official « Reply #10 on: September 07, 2010, 05:13:03 PM »
I've noticed magnetic rapid start ballasts are still being sold at Lowe's (in several locations I've seen in my travels, I might add).  Anyone who feels the need to stock up on these should pay his or her local Lowe's store a visit.  (And they're High Power Factor, too...not the inferior LPF or NPF ballasts.)  I think the cost for one is around $20.00, which isn't too steep.  The electronic ones are far more expensive.
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Brian Jacob
Administrator, Lighting-Gallery.net

"Preheat Fluorescent and Mercury Vapor Forever!"

	Re: Well, it's official « Reply #11 on: September 08, 2010, 10:19:47 AM »
Quote from: f36t8 on September 07, 2010, 02:46:56 PM Quote from: kevxsi16v on September 07, 2010, 02:21:17 PM I feel sorry for you guys i would be really annoyed if they banned magnetic ballasts here, Magnetic ballasts will be banned in the EU in 2017, if I remember correctly. Yes it is true they are however transtar make a super low loss ballast i do believe that that one is safe! I will be installing them after 2017 even if they are more expensive over retarded electronic ballasts!
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Electrical and Lighting Maintenance Engineer. I am not the person sitting in a office reading what manufactures say stuff does...My experience is first hand!!