Fluorescent Tubes

Recently one of the fluor lights in the basement went out so I bought some replacements. The tubes are 4 ft long and first time around I bout 30W tubes (each light takes two tubes). Well, this was too dim so I went to look at the tubes I took out to try to get the exact thing.

The tubes I took out say "Value Bright - 400W". Home Depot doesn't sell Value Bright and HD's tubes are 30w and 40w, I believe.

Is there REALLY a 400W 4 ft tube?????? Where can I find Value Bright brand?

 

Is there a code on the old bulbs?
F40CW for example
40 = 40 watts
CW = cool white

F40CW/ES ES= energy saver (34w, for T12 4ft tube)
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correction, HD has the
traditional 1 1/4" (T12) diameter bulbs
they are 40w, 34w (ES)
and the newer 1" (T8) diameter bulbs, 32W
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Would you be able to open the ficture and look at the ballast (black box with transformer inside)? It will list the bulbs it is compatible with. (which sizes, wattages, etc.)
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there is no 400 W 4ft tube relivant to your fixture.-ValueBright is probably a house brand of a local hardware store, back when the fixture was installed.

 

I DO apologize! The code is F40CW not F400W <grin>. I didn't know the CW meant clear white so thanks for telling me this.

I don't recall seeing a clear white at Home Depot but they had all sorts of variations and I wasn't sure at all which to choose. I want a good strong light, energy efficient if possible, and not a harsh light or one that distorts color. Which would be the best to choose based on that criteria?

Also, you mention 1" tubes. Would those fit in the same sockets?

Do these fluor tubes use much energy? I usually keep the lights on for the cats. I have two lights down there with two tubes in each.

 

The tubes use 40 watts each, plus the ballast isn't 100 % efficient. So you have probably close to 100 watts being consumed whenever the lights are on. Have you ever tried the compact fluorescents. They are fluorescent lights that screw into a standard incandescent fixture. I've been using some that are 13 watts each and produce roughly the same amount of light as a 60 watt bulb. If these lights are just so the cats can get around, you might consider replacing them with one or two compact fluorescents and take advantage of the power savings.

 

By "incandescent" do you mean regular light bulbs?

I don't think I can use anything other than the fluor tube in the ceiling, though, because the fitting is for tubes. There is no regular electric bulb socket there.

I do have electrical sockets for plugs in the walls in the basement, though. One is two feet off the ground so if it is possible to put a fitting in the plug to house one of those fixtures you mentioned, I could do that. Would that be possible?

I have seen those small circular fluor tubes and wondered how I could use those, too. My electric bills are high so any savings would be welcomed.

 

The smaller T8 lamp won't work in your existing fixture unless you change the ballest also. When you get new lamps a CW which is cool white <it gives off a bluish light> or a WW which is a warm white <more closely matches incandisent lamps.

 

Yes, by incandescent I mean like a standard light bulb that you would screw into a regular lamp or ceiling fixture. A compact fluorescent is a small fluorescent light that combines both the bulb and ballast into a tiny package. If you've got the wiring at the fluorescent tube fixture already, you could always disconnect it and mount an electrical box to which you would fit a $2 plastic or ceramic screw in lamp socket and screw in your new CF bulb. Or you could just plug in a simple table/floor lamp to the receptacle on the wall and use that to run the compact fluorescent. Either way you will be saving quite a bit compared to those 4 foot tubes.

 

Re the energy-saving fluor fittings, on the other side of the basement in the laundry area I use a table lamp in an electric socket (without a lampshade) for additional light. (I need to get the fittings in the ceiling in that area changed - they presently take electric light bulbs but they are very old).

Are you saying I could use one of those new fluor lights you mentioned in that lamp socket instead of the electric bulb?

I am presently using tons of light bulbs in the laundry area - between the lamp fitting and the two electric sockets in the ceiling (one of which no longer works). I have to change both light bulbs every two weeks.

Re the new fluor light you mentioned, what would I look for at HD? Are they round? Is there a glare from them that would require something similar to a lampshade?

 

Re replacing the current fluor fittings that take tubes -

Are you saying to remove the entire fitting that is in the basement ceiling and replace with the new fitting? I assume an electrician would have to do that. The plastic piece over the tubes is approx. 4 ft by 2 ft (spans two ceiling tiles). I take it I could replace that plastic piece with one regular ceiling tile and a new plastic piece half the size. Is that correct?

 

Sounds like you have a drop ceiling in your basement. Metal gridwork with acoustical tiles? I was thinking there was no ceiling, just the floor framing above. Well, yes you could remove the whole 2x4 fixture assembly and replace it with a single round box and lampholder like you probably have in the other part of the basement. This would then allow you to use the compact fluorescent bulbs. The space vacated by the old 2x4 tube fixture could be filled in with a new tile. However, in my opinion, drop ceilings look best with recessed lighting like you've presently got. So if you really wanted to ditch the 4 foot tubes and go with the compact fluorescents, for the best appearance, you would want to install recessed can lights. These will accept both a standard light bulb or a compact fluorescent. An easier, better solution might just be to leave the existing fixtures in place and put a couple of table lamps around the room with the CF bulbs installed.

In the other room, yes you can use the table lamp with the compact fluorescents. They look similar to a regular light bulb, except they have a bigger plastic base and the glass "bulb" portion is often twisted. If you look in the light bulb section at Home Depot you will see these bulbs. They are a bit more expensive, but they last a long time and save a lot of energy. A lampshade would be desirable if you were using these in your livingroom, but in a utility area the extra light is probably worth a little glare when you look right at the bulb.

 

Can you tell me how long these new bulbs last if I keep them on? I am so tired of changing light bulbs every two weeks.

Also, can I use them in the light bulb sockets in the ceiling of the laundry area? There is a cover panel that I pull down to change the light bulb and the bulb is positioned horizontally.

 

They should last for months or more left burning continuously. You can put one in the enclosed fixture, but you need to look for one that is listed for use in an enclosed fixture.

 

Then they will definitely be worth the price. I have seen those twisted looking bulbs but didn't know what they were. I hope I can find one that is of a shape that will fit in the enclosed unit.

And, yes, the bulk of the ceiling in the basement is a drop ceiling.