Got a T5 HO light for free what to do?

For some reason they threw this light in the scrap hopper at work. They normally replace the ballast but one of the higher ups said get rid of it even though the maintenance guy told me it needs a ballast(s). It would be going in my garage that has 8ft high ceilings.


It is a high bay lithonia (specs from homedepots website):
"The T5 I-Beam Fluorescent High Bay from Lithonia Lighting is ideal for manufacturing, warehousing, commercial facilities and retail. This fixture is an ideal one-for-one replacement of common metal halide high bay systems. It is a model combination of rugged fixture construction with excellent fixture performance.

Narrow distribution ideal for narrow or aisle lighting applications
Specular aluminum reflectors provide 95% reflectivity"

I have 4 - 4' t8 cheapos out in the garage now that were already there from the previous owner. This is a 24x24' pole building where I want it very bright. My dad has 5 8ft nice t12 fixtures and a box of new bulbs that he no longer needs as most of his lights are now T8. I planned on installing those 8ft fixtures and using this over my primary work bench.

I have heard these can be way to intense when mounted on an 8ft ceiling. I can buy both ballast on eBay new for around 60$ (this is about a 200$ light new). I can buy one ballast and run 4 bulbs for 30$, or I can buy a different T5 ballast and switch to the non HO bulbs and have a dimmer light in a fixture that is made to be mounted high. Or of course I can take it back to the scrap hopper. Which would you do? Is it worth messing with?

Here are a few pics.

 

I can say that there is no way I would waste any time or money installing the older T-12 even if they were free. The bulbs are being phased out and you get more lumens out of the more efficient T-8.

I might order a ballast and one set of bulbs to see if I liked the light given off. Perhaps wherever the fixture came from would have a working fixture you could view to see if you like the light.

 

I would put that over my workbench in a heartbeat. Yes...... they are very bright. Awesome to work under. I don't think those tubes would dim very well though.

If it was mine..... I'd put in both ballasts with a switch where you can run one or both ballasts.


A little off topic..............
Over my bench now I use an 8' four tube fixture. I have two F96T12D and two F96T12CW tubes.
I have one daylight and one cool white lamp on each ballast. I have a pull chain to activate the second ballast as needed.

 

It's hard to argue with free so I would disagree with PC and install these lamps, maybe even buying another box of tubes for the distant future.

I do agree with PJ that one can never have too much light over a workbench. The plan on using two, 2-tube ballasts with two switches rather than having all four tubes light together is also a good one.

 

I decided to buy a ballast and use the light to run 4 T5 HO 54 watt bulbs(if I want more light I can buy the other ballast which I doubt I will want more light). And as far as the fixtures go I spoke with my dad he is "buying" new ballast and converting his fixtures over to 8FT T8 bulbs. These are nice older fixtures, and like the one replier said it is hard to beat free. Free lights and bulbs will work great especially because as ballast fail I can upgrade to T8. Thanks for the advice. This is a pic I took of the 8Ft fixture I will be getting more of.


I just put the OSB in the attic space of the garage, first major thing I have done out there besides installing an electric panel. Running more outlets for the lights this week and next weekend will be ceiling insulation. After that lights and insulation on the walls. Thank god the weather is breaking, hard to keep a building warm with no insulation or ceiling.