4x4 North

Currently I have 3 of the 8' style 4 bulb T5HO fixtures in my shop, plus some cheap Amazon LEDs around the perimeter. The bulbs in the T5HO fixtures are original and have hit the end of their effective life.

Is there any affordable LED fixtures that actually perform the same or better than the T5HOs? I've been holding off buying new bulbs in hope there is, but it seems nothing actually touches the T5HO for total lumens, plus the spectrum on the T5HO is pretty decent (maybe LEDs are better in that regard?)

For anyone that's never seen a T5HO, they're nothing like a T8 or T12 fixture as far as brightness and spectrum goes.

good because T8's suck absolute dick.

our shop has finally switched all the way over to 4' LED bulbs. the only thing weird about them, maybe just ours particularly, is that they are only half lit. the back half is for the wire/cruicuit/whatever. but because they are in the same flourescent fixtures, the pins are sideways so we point some left, some right and try to balance it out.

anyways, they work and are decent but not what i would call great unless the only concern is wattage used

Yeah, any of the drop in replacement LED "bulbs" are crap from a performance standpoint. I have no interest in that.

A LED is only a little more efficient than the T5HO, but they do make more light in colder temperatures. I have to keep the shop above 60* F for them to work right. Which isn't a big deal normally, it's only annoying if I'm leaving it cold and just go out for the odd job and don't have the heat on.

interesting to hear that they are sensitive to the cold and 60* doesn't even sound particularly cold especially from an electronics stance.

i'm interested to see what you come up with and how it works out.

I’ve got the Nightrider LEDs jk coming in for another round of upgrades soon. I could ask them for info n upgrades. I know they sell tube lighting but you to modify your fixtures


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Provience wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:41 am interesting to hear that they are sensitive to the cold and 60* doesn't even sound particularly cold especially from an electronics stance.

i'm interested to see what you come up with and how it works out.

The gas in them runs a lot higher temperature than the older T8s or T12s. The problem is that they're really efficient, so they don't make enough heat to warm the gas up if it's cold. It's not like the annoying flicker bullshit or complete failure to start, like you'd get with other fluorescent lights, but they're just not as bright as normal or it may take some time (15+ minutes) to get up to full brightness.

I bought a few of those pannel lights from Costco the thin flat ones they are the tits but about 100 per light. I have 3 above the bay door as clearance is tight when it's up. Debating on changing the others out for them as well

Scott Cee AKA 2drx4 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:43 am

Provience wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:41 am interesting to hear that they are sensitive to the cold and 60* doesn't even sound particularly cold especially from an electronics stance.

i'm interested to see what you come up with and how it works out.

The gas in them runs a lot higher temperature than the older T8s or T12s. The problem is that they're really efficient, so they don't make enough heat to warm the gas up if it's cold. It's not like the annoying flicker bullshit or complete failure to start, like you'd get with other fluorescent lights, but they're just not as bright as normal or it may take some time (15+ minutes) to get up to full brightness.

oh hell, that sounds like a deal that is worthwhile.

I don't even shut off the lights in my garage they are shit ass old flouressencets and take a while to do anything, if they do anything, so i just leave those fuckers on.