flourescent ballast

[Jimmy Buffett]

I need to order some ballasts for my vac stations. I am using T12 bulbs and am in Ky. Some of them are rated for 50-60 degrees faranheit. Are they talking about outside ait temp? It occaisionally gets below 0 here. What do I need? I'm looking on 1000bulbs.com (Lowe's is about triple the price!).
Thanks

 

[soapy]

Now would be a great time to get a T8 retrofit kit. It will replace your T12 8 foot bulbs with 4- 4 foot T8 bulbs. You will get more light at a lower cost. You keep the metal fixture that the T12s use.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Hell Soapy I'm likely not smart enough to change the ballasts!

 

[washnvac]

Actually, you can also change to (2) t-8 ho. It uses the same ends as the t-12, so all you do it switch the ballasts and bulbs. I get both from 1000bulbls.com. The ballast is about $45 and the bulbs are about $8 each. (F96T8HO) $61 for total change out. These bulbs are 86 watts each versus 110 for the t12. So you save 48 watts per fixture, plus get a brighter and better light output. I have been swithcing out all the units at on location in a municipality where I am paying 18 cents/kWh. Then any replacements at my other locations will be t-8s.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I just added 12 new T-12 bulbs yesterday that I can't return. Maybe I can consider the change over next time. Now I just need new ballasts for the T-12's.