[Frank4]

I was going to replace T-12 bulbs in girlfriend's shop. I would really prefer to just replace all the fixtures with LEDs but we are stuck with T-12s for now.



Usually with T-12s you have the two prongs on the bulb and you turn and twist. She has one where it looks like turn and twist but there is no opening. The other ones look like they have a gray round rubber connector? I have no idea how to replace them. I have never seen anything like them and have checked youtube too.



Thanks for any help.

 

[jmon]

Are they push-in type? Post a close up picture of the socket/tombstone. Thank you.

 

[rjniles]

Does one look like this?

It is a tombstone for a HO (High Output) T12. One end should be a plunger type.

You would be better to replace with direct wire LEDs. If the ballast is bad they are expensive to replace.

 

[Frank4]

Does one look like this?

It is a tombstone for a HO (High Output) T12. One end should be a plunger type.

You would be better to replace with direct wire LEDs. If the ballast is bad they are expensive to replace.

Checking on it I found this video and it looks pretty easy to do the conversion.

 

[seharper]

Usually with T-12s you have the two prongs on the bulb and you turn and twist. She has one where it looks like turn and twist but there is no opening.

That only applies to the <= 4 foot long fluorescent tubes.

The >= 4 foot long tubes have a spring loaded plunger connector at one end, and a rigid connector at the other. You must push the tube about 1/2" toward the plunger end, and that frees the other end. While standing on a chair and holding an 8' tube and resisting the urge to use it as a balance beam and smash it into furniture lol. But LEDs have the same problem

Yes, exactly-4-foot fluorescents can be EITHER kind but usually the kind you are familiar with. Be aware that a few of those drop straight down, though twisting won't hurt them.

Checking on it I found this video and it looks pretty easy to do the conversion.

Yeah it's not bad with longer >4' fluorescents, because almost all of them have 1-pin "nubs" anyway. Hot on one end, neutral on the other.

I am renowned around here for continuing to embrace real fluorescent technology. I do that because of a technology sweet spot: the 21st century electronic ballasts are *extremely good*, and the tubes are >=90 CRI at your color temp of choice. Between the two, they correct every traditional problem. And also a price sweet-spot: LEDs are a goldrush and we get the cheap Chinese dregs. But fluorescent is a firesale: you can get Tier 1 stuff - GE, Sylvania, Philips, for nothin' - and it's rock solid gear that'll last. LEDs should last in theory, but not with Chinese capacitors in their drivers, they won't.

Those economics don't work *quite* as well for 8' tubes, but I am buying used 8' fixtures. Honestly I am at sixes and sevens about whether to modernize to T8 fluorescent or go LED. We'll see.

 

[Frank4]

That only applies to the <= 4 foot long fluorescent tubes.

The >= 4 foot long tubes have a spring loaded plunger connector at one end, and a rigid connector at the other. You must push the tube about 1/2" toward the plunger end, and that frees the other end. While standing on a chair and holding an 8' tube and resisting the urge to use it as a balance beam and smash it into furniture lol. But LEDs have the same problem

Yes, exactly-4-foot fluorescents can be EITHER kind but usually the kind you are familiar with. Be aware that a few of those drop straight down, though twisting won't hurt them.




Yeah it's not bad with longer >4' fluorescents, because almost all of them have 1-pin "nubs" anyway. Hot on one end, neutral on the other.

I am renowned around here for continuing to embrace real fluorescent technology. I do that because of a technology sweet spot: the 21st century electronic ballasts are *extremely good*, and the tubes are >=90 CRI at your color temp of choice. Between the two, they correct every traditional problem. And also a price sweet-spot: LEDs are a goldrush and we get the cheap Chinese dregs. But fluorescent is a firesale: you can get Tier 1 stuff - GE, Sylvania, Philips, for nothin' - and it's rock solid gear that'll last. LEDs should last in theory, but not with Chinese capacitors in their drivers, they won't.

Those economics don't work *quite* as well for 8' tubes, but I am buying used 8' fixtures. Honestly I am at sixes and sevens about whether to modernize to T8 fluorescent or go LED. We'll see.

I apologize and forgot to mention that these are 8 foot long T-12s.