Overdrive T8 Question

12 years ago

Ok, so I get the basic premise for overdriving a fixture. I have two 2 bulb fixtures I could break one down and add it's ballast to the other and run both wires from each ballast to one bulb. And then both wire sets from the other ballast to the other bulb. Giving higher light output in the same footprint.

However, that now leaves me with an empty fixture. Considering cost, to continue to buy cheap $10-$15 fixtures and piling up fixture carcases once I remove the guts, could I just buy a 4 bulb T8 ballast and overdrive it to the empty 2 bulb fixture? I see some online for as little as $4 and it would eliminate my extra fixture carcas problem.

I certainly have more room, but essentially for $4 I can increase the power of my current 4 bulb setup by 50%. Seems worthwile to me. Do I run the risk of having the ballast not fit in my current fixture? Are they all pretty much the same uniform size?

Matt

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

coconut_head
Original Author
12 years ago
Disregard my previous comment about a $4 4 bulb T8 ballast. It seems like that was incorrect info. Looks like they start at around $17 bucks. Still, that is cheaper than buying two more 2 bulb fixtures and I would not have the extra carcases lying around.
klinko16
11 years ago
i overdrive using 4 lamp ballast to run 2 x t8. make sure the ballast will fit the case - i am using a nice Sasi ballast from ebay, but my lamp case is big enough to hold it, because the fixture was originally for the t12 40 watt x 2, and the 40 watt magnetic ballast is quite big, so lots of room for the 4 lamp t8 ballast.
Related Discussions
simple question about using t8 tubes for vegetable seedliings
Q
Comments (7)
I know you need to replace the tubes every saeson to start the vegetables Not necessarily, but probably. Post exactly what ballast or shoplight you have and the exact make and model of tube. Then we'll let you know whether you need to throw it away. A 20% light decrease would not be noticeable to your eyes but is significant to a plant. You'd be able to see the difference side by side with a new tube but not to the extent that you'd throw your hands up in horror. The light output of all plant lights decreases the longer they are run, also each time they are switched. Historically, as in 20 years ago, every single light lost so much light that it was more cost effective to buy new bulbs or tubes every 6 months than to run old lamps putting out less light. This is no longer true. Modern triphosphor fluorescents (but not the $1 tubes from China) running on electronic ballasts lose about 5% of their output even after 20,000 hours operation, so run them to failure which will be several years even running every day. Cheaper tubes, specialist tubes (wide spectrum, plant spectrum, actinics, etc.), compact fluorescents (the more compact, the worse), and anything on a magnetic ballast still loses a lot of light and should be replaced frequently. The best pulse start metal halides on exactly the right electronic ballast lose about 10% of their light output. Again, not worth throwing them away every 6 months. Probe start (ie. anything that doesn't say pulse start) bulbs and most bulbs on magnetic ballasts still lose enough light to need frequent replacement, and many metal halide systems still sold today are so horrible that you absolutely need to replace them every 6 months. HPS bulbs still lose something like 20% of their output relatively quickly. You should probably replace them every few thousand hours, but check exact specs on any bulb and ballast you have since I haven't looked at the latest data in detail. Lights which have been stored in sensible conditions will keep for years without problems. Excessive temperature variations can cause them to degrade.
...See More
WallyWorld shoplight overdrive-able??
Q
Comments (21)
Many (most?) electronic ballasts will correctly operate fluorescent tubes in many different lengths, therefore it wouldn't be surprising for a 32W ballast to operate a 18W tube at normal brightness. It sounds pretty "smart" but most T8 tubes run on exactly the same current (265mA) and the ballast must regulate this current over a wide range of voltages even for a single 4' tube. Not a big step to build it to regulate exactly the same current over a slightly wider range of voltages and operate many different tube lengths. There is a slight wrinkle when it comes to running T8 or T12 tubes. T12 (normal output) tubes throughout the world run on 430mA, while most T8 tubes in North America run on 265mA. Therefore many ballasts will not correctly operate the two types of tube, or they may normally operate a T12 and overdrive a T8. In Europe, T8 tubes also run on 430mA and these tubes can also sometimes be found in the US. Any T8 marked as 36W will be a 430mA tube, whereas the standard 32W T8 runs at 265mA. Confused yet? Just for completeness, there are T8 HO tubes, rarely seen that run at 380mA typically in a 44W power. T12 HO tubes run at 800mA and 60W in a 4' length. T12 VHO tubes run at 1500mA and 116W at 4' long but usually supplied as longer tubes. T5 tubes run at 460mA and are often called High Output (HO) but that is somewhat meaningless since there is only one kind.
...See More
T5 vs T8 and equivalent
Q
Comments (23)
OK, I'm just going to throw these out there. Forgive me. I haven't sorted them yet and I have a terrible awful hateful cold. At my age a cold is just not the same experience it used to be, LOL! So here are ALL my links, in no particular order, and probably some repeats, in a giant noodly mess. http://www.tomorrowsgarden.net/node/22 http://reocities.com/heartland/pines/7557/overdrv1.html http://www.buylighting.com/T8-Fluorescent-Ballasts-s/616.htm http://www.fatalii.net/Articles/Customized_fluorescent_lamp_system http://www.acuitybrandslighting.com/library/ll/documents/specsheets/td-100.pdf http://www.standardpro.com/ballasts-info/fluorescent-ballasts/faq#crest-factor http://www.irf.com/technical-info/designtp/temp004.pdf http://www.lightingassociates.org/i/u/2127806/f/tech_sheets/Basics_of_Ballasts.pdf http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/t8/03-t8-power.asp http://forum.grasscity.com/absolute-beginners/564033-lighting-guide.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lights/msg1023085115379.html?21 http://web.archive.org/web/20040629124310/http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lights/msg111229472000.html http://www.geocities.ws/overdrive_lights/ http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lights/msg0200530730707.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lights/msg0213125528645.html http://web.archive.org/web/20060102052948/http://www.plantedtank.net/odno.html http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=21257 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/t8/03-t8-power.asp http://web.archive.org/web/20080103183037/http://www.geocities.com/teeley2/overdrv1.html http://web.archive.org/web/20080223040411/http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/21257-odno-measurements-power-consumption-vs-light.html http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/DIY-Light-Hood-Fan/10/ http://web.archive.org/web/20080220090814/http://www.lightsearch.com/resources/lightguides/ballasts.html http://web.archive.org/web/20080223040411/http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/21052-comparison-lighting-types-lumens-watts.html http://assets.sylvania.com/assets/documents/faq0042-0700.4cdec34c-d464-4f9e-a6cf-0b6ec9a934c0.pdf http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/d.pl/initial_lumens.html http://reocities.com/Heartland/Pines/7557/overdrv1.html https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=17260 http://www.oocities.org/teeley2/overdrv1.html http://www.acuitybrandslighting.com/library/ll/documents/specsheets/td-100.pdf http://www.standardpro.com/ballasts-info/fluorescent-ballasts/faq#crest-factor http://www.irf.com/technical-info/designtp/temp004.pdf http://www.lightingassociates.org/i/u/2127806/f/tech_sheets/Basics_of_Ballasts.pdf http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/t8/03-t8-power.asp Parts and supplies: https://p11.secure.hostingprod.com/@nextechlighting.com/ssl/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=93&osCsid=759ef60819b0f4e334968e847d419dc0 http://www.lowes.com/pd_420867-43921-MXL-103_4294565967__?productId=4013485&Ns=p_product_price:0&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0%26page%3D1&facetInfo= http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=163719-337-SNF232RC&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3335372&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1 http://www.amazon.com/Sunpark-SL15T-electronic-multiple-fluorescent/dp/B005HQL0KQ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ER7NYDM/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944579862&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005HQL0KQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1512MJV7X1SG1RSWWFBD http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HR0FPG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944579862&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005HQL0KQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1512MJV7X1SG1RSWWFBD http://www.panbo.com/archives/2013/12/3m_scotchloks_is_my_love_so_wrong.html http://www.goodmart.com/products/halco-lighting-e232is-120-r-sl-50118.htm http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-2-Light-White-T8-Fluorescent-Residential-Shop-Light-1233-RE/202994372 http://www.lowes.com/pd_245546-58659-NXU-6001-B_4294857041__?productId=3168049&Ns=p_product_price:0&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0%26page%3D2&facetInfo= http://www.lowes.com/pd_420867-43921-MXL-103_4294857041__?productId=4013485&Ns=p_product_price:0&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0%26page%3D2&facetInfo= http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-Rugged-2-Lamp-Hanging-Fluorescent-Gray-ShopLight-CESL402-27/203725928 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-All-Season-Shop-Light-4-ft-2-Light-Grey-T8-Strip-Fluorescent-1242ZG-RE/202052422 http://www.lowes.com/pd_163719-337-SNF232RC_1z0vgb3+1z0vjm2__?productId=3335372&Ns=p_product_price:0&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0%26page%3D1&facetInfo=In Store http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-2-Light-White-Electronic-Channel-Fluorescent-Strip-Light-C-2-32-120-GESB/100543144 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-Super-Bright-3-Lamp-Hanging-Fluorescent-Silver-Black-ShopLight-CESL404-05/203725921 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-2-Light-High-Output-Multi-Volt-T5-Compact-White-Fluorescent-Strip-Light-ZR-2-54T5HO-MVOLT-GEB10PS/203137160 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-4-Light-Grey-Heavy-Duty-Fluorescent-Shoplight-1284GRD-RE/202968125 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-4-ft-T8-32-Watt-Daylight-Deluxe-6500K-ALTO-Linear-Fluorescent-Light-Bulb-10-Pack-422949/203466585?N=5yc1vZbm3zZ1z0twpmZ1z0vvri http://www.homedepot.com/p/ViaVolt-54-Watt-4-ft-T5-Fluorescent-Replacement-Lamp-10-Pack-VT54B-10/203891792#customer_reviews http://www.homedepot.com/p/ViaVolt-4-ft-T5-865-High-Output-6500K-Fluorescent-Grow-Light-Replacement-Bulb-VT54B/203124383 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-4-ft-T8-32-Watt-Daylight-Deluxe-6500K-ALTO-II-Linear-Fluorescent-Light-Bulb-2-Pack-422963/203466587?N=5yc1vZbm3zZ2bcoyeZ1z0twpmZ1z0vvri http://www.homedepot.com/p/Halex-3-8-in-Twin-Screw-Non-Metallic-Cable-Clamp-Connectors-5-Pack-20511/100133208 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051QKTRC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=15S72TD6TYB1N&coliid=I2UG7LD6N0IEB8 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CYVGX2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=15S72TD6TYB1N&coliid=I1BMFTJI3E3ISE http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CJBIPA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=15S72TD6TYB1N&coliid=I214UIEMT2RDC0&psc=1 Here is a link that might be useful: Pulley system to raise and lower fluorescent strip lights This post was edited by zensojourner on Thu, Nov 20, 14 at 2:02
...See More
converting t8 shoplight with 4 lamp ballast
Q
Comments (0)
I bought some of those shop lights from walmart, And most of the ballasts didn,t even last 3 months. I want to overdrive 2 bulbs with a 4 lamp ballast. What would be a good ballast for this that I could get online?
...See More
zen_man
11 years ago
You don't have to cannibalize ballasts from fixtures to overdrive. You can simply buy extra ballasts to do the overdriving. And when the ballast in a fixture goes bad, you can simply replace the ballast, and not the fixture.
ngrrsn
11 years ago
I hope this doesn't sound ignorant, but I am and ignorance is curable...You are talking about overdriving T8 light fixtures (mine are 4', 2 bulb units; bulbs are 32 watts each). So, if I add a ballast (not sure how to do this) how much does this increase lumen output, and what is the impact on the electric bill? Does it double? Instead of adding a ballast, why not just buy a larger ballast and replace the one in the unit? One more questions; if you overdrive a PC (computer), you can overheat it and fry it. What is the fire risk for overdriving you T8 fixtures?
project_gardener
11 years ago
I made a video that shows exactly how to do this. It's cheaper to buy 2 fixtures at Walmart for $10 each than buy a $10 fixture plus a $22 ballast. There is no fire hazard. In the video I hook it up to a Killawatt to show electrical use.

Overdrive T8 Instructions

Here is a link that might be useful: Overdrive T8 Instructions
mandolls
11 years ago
I want to tack on to this thread and ask a question about overdriven lamps.

The standard fluorescents have done just fine for me for growing seeds (veg & Flowers) to transplant size - so why bother overdriving them? Will the stronger light make healthier plants? Or are these used more for growing full size and tropical plants? I know there will be more light, but I won't be able to fit any additional plants in the space, so I am not sure that I am understanding the point.
overdrive
11 years ago
bushier more husky plants with bigger leaves, very squat and stout, short internodes. just like a plant on steroids
zen_man
11 years ago
MD,

"Will the stronger light make healthier plants? Or are these used more for growing full size and tropical plants?"

Like OverDrive said, the greater light intensity will produce better seedlings. I grow a lot of zinnias, and zinnias have a big appetite for light, and will stretch and become somewhat leggy or spindly under regular fluorescent lighting. This is an example of zinnia seedlings that were staying compact and healthy under overdriven T8s.

{{gwi:4096}}

The strategy for providing fluorescent lights to your seedlings is first, hang as many regular fluorescent fixtures over them as will physically fit. Then continue to increase the light on those plants by overdriving those fixtures.

If you have two two-bulb T8 fixtures and you cannibalize one to get a second ballast for the other, you will only get about 70% more light from the single overdriven fixture as compared with 100% more light if you simply hang the second fixture over your seedlings. So it doesn't make sense to overdrive your fixtures until you have hung as many of them as you can over your seedlings.

In "the good old days" when you could get a bargain two-bulb T8 shoplight fixture from Home Depot for $4, it did make sense to buy fixtures and cannibalize them, because then most sources of T8 ballasts cost more than $4 per ballast. I continued to buy and cannibalize 2-bulb T8 shoplights from Home Depot up until a few years ago when the price of a fixture went over $8.

At that time I quit cannibalizing T8 ballasts and started buying separate ballasts for two reasons. First, the ballasts in the cheap shoplights were themselves cheap and they didn't last very long. Typically, my T8 bulbs would outlast my cheap cannibalized T8 ballasts. And second, I found a source of reasonably priced higher quality 2-bulb T8 ballasts that I could use to overdrive my existing fixtures and replace the rapidly failing ballasts in my original overdriven fixtures.

So I now have a supply of better T8 ballasts that I use to replace my cheaper T8 ballasts as they fail. I am still a big fan of overdriving. The next step up from overdriving T8s (and possibly T5s) is HID lighting, and that costs considerably more money.

ZM
hardclay7a
11 years ago
Thanks Zenman,
I never quite could concieve the concept of taking two 2 bulb fixtures and creating One 2 bulb fixture to come up with something that puts out 30% less lumens than the two 2 bulb fixtures mounted closely side by side.
My local wallymart sells these fixtures for about 11 bucks, but the ballasts that come with them look like junk, and are probably the cheapest made component in the entire 11 dollar assembly.
~Ken~
mori1
11 years ago
Wow, didn't know you could this. I got 4 (T8) two bulb fixtures and 2 (T12) that I would like to overdrive. The T12 can use T8 bulbs. ZM where do you get your ballasts from?
zen_man
11 years ago
Mori,

I got my ballasts from the Nextech Lighting online site.

ZM

Overdrive T8 Question

Comments (11)

coconut_head
Original Author

klinko16

Related Discussions

zen_man

ngrrsn

project_gardener

mandolls

overdrive

zen_man

hardclay7a

mori1

zen_man

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Overdrive T8 Question

Comments (11)

coconut_headOriginal Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

coconut_head
Original Author