Fluorescent light ballast replacement?

[zenwhipper]

My garage has 8' fluorescent lights and I believe the ballast may be going bad. I put new bulbs in and the light still does not work. It kind of flickers and then poops out.

The current ballast it a Universal 806-BR-TC-P. To replace this - do I need to find the same manufacture and model? Or are ballasts more generic and I just need to find "X" equivalent ballast?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Scott

 

[HotRodZilla]

Just find an equivelant. The brand is nothing special. Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart all have them. Easy to replace.

 

[Wlfman]

Check you prices, in some cases its cheaper to just buy a whole new light.

 

[bwv]

Do your self a favor and replace it with a couple 4' T8 fixtures (~$16each) or an 8' (~$40) You will save a lot of electricity (about half), and have better startup on cold days.

T12's are on thier way out (hehe.. shoulda been gone by now, but grandfathered in), ineficient, and temperature sensative.

t5's are an awesome light source, and very efficient.. but more expensive.

You might be able to retrofit your existing fixture with a t8 ballast(~$25) and a couple t 8 bulbs(~15)... I dont know your skill level, how much of a shopper you are, or how your fixtures are mounted. if you can follow the diagram on the ballast.. you will be all set. Ballasts can be had on ebay for cheap... real cheap.

I took 6) 4 foot, 4 bulb, t12 fixtures out of a dumpster... bought 10 ballasts for them on ebay for 40 bucks, and a contractor pack of 30 bulbs (~$50).. pretty good deal.. but it was a new garage, so i had them on the ground, not installed yet... rewired em on the bench and hung em...easier than if they are up there on the ceiling if you dont have practice

thoughts

I like Advance ballasts..good documentation right on em.. efficient... flexible.. reliable.

do not work on them "hot" as there is higher than line level voltage at the bulb holders and you will be on a ladder (experience)

if you do have to work on them hot.. the new ones will require you turn the power off an back on before they will light..

 

[Fly Bye]

Check you prices, in some cases its cheaper to just buy a whole new light.

This is true in most cases.

 

[RaYzerman19]

I just bought a few 4' fixtures for the shop, T8...... Walmart $10.97. Bulbs extra. Look for Sylvania bulbs, have more lumen output than GE that Wallymart sells.

 

[zenwhipper]

The ballast was $38 bucks at Lowes. Brought it home and took a long look at the light and the new ballast and said - nope. The ballast is going back. A new fixture at Lowes is about $40 bucks, plus it will be easier to put in than the ballast. The fixture is hard wired, but still must be easier than replacing the ballast.

Scott

 

[bwv]

Smart move.

Try to avoid the t12 stuff if you can.

 

[Streethawk]

Smart move.Try to avoid the t12 stuff if you can.

But what if you bought a whole box of T12's!?

I have two T12 fixtures left... one also needs a ballast. Dang bulbs last a while!

Sigh..... note to self: Be careful what you stock up on!