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

Those were kerosene lamps at one time. I see a filler cap on one of the bowls. The slotted metal part on top of the bowl is the wick and chimney holder. Under the wick holder would have been a shaft with small thumb wheel for raising and lowerering the wick. (The flame size is adjusted by raising and lowering the wick. The lamp is extinguished by lowering the wick to a small flame and then a gentle puff down the chimney puts out the light. (One has to be careful, though. A tiny amount of spittle hitting a hot chimney will shatter the glass.) The original wick holders have been highly modified to accept electric lamp sockets. The center has been machined away to make room for the socket. The wick elevator has been cut away or removed. The original flame/wick slot would have been about 1/2 to 3/8 inch wide. The wick was a flat woven piece about 1 inch wide. Excess wick lay in the fuel bowl. Occasionaly, the wick was trimmed to true its profile and to remove carbonized material. One wick could last a year or more due to the extra length stored in the bowl. This appears to be a lmap for use over a dining table. As such, it was not at great height and was within reach for lighting. If there was no table under the lamp, it would have to have been hung above head height for safety sake. Bumpinig a lamp assenbly when lighted could be disasterous. For rooms with 8 ft ceilings, one stood on a stool or chair to light the lamps. Taller ceilings required a lowering mechanism and that mechanism was ceiling mounted, not on the lamp assembly. When used as a dining lamp, the assembly may have been lowered to within a couple of feet above the table to provide good lighting. These lamps did not have powerful light output, but were much better than candles. Nothing was ever placed on the chimneys of kerosene lamps of this style because those got very hot. Lamp shades were not necessary since the light produced was yellow and not harsh. If a decorative shade existed, it would have had supports separate from the hot lamp parts. Shades may have been added when the lamp was electrified. In your photos, I see no provision for gas lighting. If it was ever used a a gas lamp, it was first a kerosene lamp converted to gas. The burners for gas and kerosene are vastly different. I don't think its a good idea to mix the two. Each lamp needed a valve for gas lighting. But wait! is that a valve at the bottom of the U shaped support tubing?

Gardenburgher - thanks. Glad things have gone well for you so far with BC Stone. I think you will be pleased - I know we were. Kompy - thank you. Its really nice to hear good comments like this from someone in the business - I really appreciate it. And yes, too bad the BS tile is not Dal-Tile (it would have been a whole lot cheaper - LOL). I really like Dal-Tile products alas, they didn't have anything we strongly liked for the BS. And given the size, it was the one area of tile I wasn't afraid to pay a higher per sq ft cost pluckymama, yvette and maydl - thanks for your kind comments

Thought I would update the thread I started when I was trying to figure out what type of light to get for above the island with an 8 foot ceiling. Well here are some pics. We chose a pendant light we found (Juno onyx) at Design Expo. With our GC's help we got a flat ceiling mount/transformer (the one at the store was more conical) We wanted something with a low profile, because of the 8 ft ceiling. We love it. Thanks to all of you for your invaluable help. Here are some close up pics of the lights.