garage lighting question

[DJ_Critterus]

i have two fluorescent light fixtures on my garage ceiling with 2x tubes in each.

Sometimes when i flip the switch, all four tubes light up. Other times on set will light up and the other follows a minute or so later. Sometimes, the farthest one from the panel doesnt light up, but the ends of the tubes glow dim. I can occasionally flip the switch off/on real fast and the lights come on.

Is this simply a need to change the bulbs, are rectifiers going bad, or should I call Father Guido Sarducci to do an excorcism?

[04 commemorative]

Use these...I have one in my attic (Shea Stadium) lol

https://www.amazon.com/Deformable-Ceiling-Adjustable-12000LM-Basement/dp/B091DPJ1R3/ref=asc_df_B091DPJ1R3/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507801848374&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13630606032503432545&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003989&hvtargid=pla-1282315264244&mcid=9ce1095c43553916a955b3b7bbecafb6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-8XCtM_VhAMVmE9HAR17UASHEAQYASABEgIlX_D_BwE&th=1

[Don Rickles]

Possibly ballast are going bad.

[DJ_Critterus]

Use these...I have one in my attic (Shea Stadium) lol

https://www.amazon.com/Deformable-Ceiling-Adjustable-12000LM-Basement/dp/B091DPJ1R3/ref=asc_df_B091DPJ1R3/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507801848374&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13630606032503432545&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003989&hvtargid=pla-1282315264244&mcid=9ce1095c43553916a955b3b7bbecafb6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-8XCtM_VhAMVmE9HAR17UASHEAQYASABEgIlX_D_BwE&th=1
I have one of those in the socket above my washer/dryer space in the garage. I works well, but is not centered in the garage for best lighting or I would ditch the flourescents.
Possibly ballast are going bad.

Is there any way to check without consulting Aero?

[Frankie the Fink]

Possibly ballast are going bad.
This...

Stick LEDs in there..

[Frankie the Fink]

I don't know of a good test for the ballast; but I would swap to LEDs anyway; ones without a ballast. It takes a bit of rewiring the fixtures but not all that hard.

[BayouCountry]

Remove ballast and install LED or install new LED fixtures; whatever is easiest. I did a friend’s kitchen lighting and it was a great improvement over the old lights.

The dimmer switch had to be replaced by the proper type, but that won’t apply to your application.

[Don Rickles]

To change over to LED bulbs, you simply bypass (remove) the ballast, reconnecting black and white wires.

[Rikki Z-06]

To change over to LED bulbs, you simply bypass (remove) the ballast, reconnecting black and white wires.

So, what you're saying is that rewiring these lights is like the Chicago school district, keep the blacks with the blacks and the whites with the whites?

[Don Rickles]

So, what you're saying is that rewiring these lights is like the Chicago school district, keep the blacks with the blacks and the whites with the whites?

I did have something just like that typed up and ready to post but nah.....:yesnod:

[Vandelay Industries]

I can't believe nobody suggested switching to LEDs yet.

[Rikki Z-06]

I can't believe nobody suggested switching to LEDs yet.

Post# 2. :cert:

[Rodnok1]

For the costs of new bulbs and or ballasts it's cheaper to replace with led shop lights.
Bulbs are most likely going bad is all.

[zsr22]

I can't believe nobody suggested switching to LEDs yet.




Stupid idea. Cut some skylights in.

[Vandelay Industries]

Post# 2. :cert:

:skia::D

[Old Ben]

Is the garage heated? They will do what you indicate when cold. :shrug:

[Unsuspicious]

https://hexagongarage.com/cdn/shop/files/hexagon_garage_LED_heexagon_grid_lights_2.png?v=1679774116&width=3840

[04 commemorative]

How long before some ass wipe pulls that down?

[zsr22]

https://hexagongarage.com/cdn/shop/files/hexagon_garage_LED_heexagon_grid_lights_2.png?v=1679774116&width=3840




That is absolutely awful.

[LATB]

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjTpre1-NWEAxUKgloFHUbTCUgYABAKGgJ2dQ&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAiAuYuvBhApEiwAzq_YiYRrD5RgwQKBRjINuQ4o8BDfqKJUa1yLAmq6EJq4VsJUeSQDQ3M_rhoCU3kQAvD_BwE&sig=AOD64_2_TpDm2GV3ki8lIiwTd3RXXAWpVQ&ctype=5&q=&nis=4&ved=2ahUKEwj6mbK1-NWEAxWokIQIHYboCXQQ9aACKAB6BAgFEA8&adurl=

97761

[zsr22]

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjTpre1-NWEAxUKgloFHUbTCUgYABAKGgJ2dQ&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAiAuYuvBhApEiwAzq_YiYRrD5RgwQKBRjINuQ4o8BDfqKJUa1yLAmq6EJq4VsJUeSQDQ3M_rhoCU3kQAvD_BwE&sig=AOD64_2_TpDm2GV3ki8lIiwTd3RXXAWpVQ&ctype=5&q=&nis=4&ved=2ahUKEwj6mbK1-NWEAxWokIQIHYboCXQQ9aACKAB6BAgFEA8&adurl=

97761




DJ's not trying to do surgery. That high bay light 8' from the floor will be blinding.

[DJ_Critterus]

This...

Stick LEDs in there..

i just bought them with 3 different light settings. $20/2-pack at Lowes. Will let ya'll know how well they work. :thumbs:

packaging says theres no need to remove ballast but i will anyway

edit: I did something men rarely do and read the instructions. It said not to remove ballast as the lights were made to work with or without it. No biggie. Replaced all 4 and bam.... let there be light!

[Swany00]

Use these...I have one in my attic (Shea Stadium) lol

https://www.amazon.com/Deformable-Ceiling-Adjustable-12000LM-Basement/dp/B091DPJ1R3/ref=asc_df_B091DPJ1R3/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507801848374&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13630606032503432545&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003989&hvtargid=pla-1282315264244&mcid=9ce1095c43553916a955b3b7bbecafb6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-8XCtM_VhAMVmE9HAR17UASHEAQYASABEgIlX_D_BwE&th=1

those lights are great, i've bought several of them

[Aerovette]

I had this same issue in my garage.

It was a reasonably easy fix. I would flip the switch on and off really fast and hopefully stop while all the lights were on. I used this method for a couple years until the long term fix...I sold the house.

Moral of the story...If your lights act strange, move.

I'm on my 15th house now. I'm not about to be changing any lightbulbs.

[SurfnSun]

I’m in the process of replacing my old florescent garage lights with these. First one is in and I’m happy with it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-1-ft-x-4-ft-50-Watt-Dimmable-White-Integrated-LED-4000-Lumens-Flat-Panel-Ceiling-Flush-Mount-with-Color-Change-5CCT-FP1X4-6WY-WH-HDT/320358738

[KenHorse]

After years of my garage fluorescents not always starting when it was really cold, I changed them out for LED replacements (same form factor - 4' long. Just had to remove the ballast and rewire the connectors.)

2nd best thing I ever did out there :thumbs:

[Unsuspicious]

https://www.amazon.com/Barrina-Integrated-Fixture-Utility-Electric/dp/B01HBT3BVM?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

I went with these, straight rows for even lighting, motion sensor wall switch. Motion sensor unfortunately doesn't pick up a car coming in (tuned to human infrared I guess) so I ran 2 tubes out of the garage opener's bulb socket turned into receptacle.

Those 3 panel bulbs are bright af and hurt the eyes with afterimages if you glance at them so you should find ones with diffusers

[GTOguy]

i have two fluorescent light fixtures on my garage ceiling with 2x tubes in each.

Sometimes when i flip the switch, all four tubes light up. Other times on set will light up and the other follows a minute or so later. Sometimes, the farthest one from the panel doesnt light up, but the ends of the tubes glow dim. I can occasionally flip the switch off/on real fast and the lights come on.

Is this simply a need to change the bulbs, are rectifiers going bad, or should I call Father Guido Sarducci to do an excorcism?
Buy the LED conversion bulbs, delete the ballasts, and enjoy bright, flicker-free light for years. You're welcome.

[Bill]

Do the lights dim when you charge the Volt? Actually it's a serious question.

[Don Rickles]

Is the garage heated? They will do what you indicate when cold. :shrug:

:kick:
Florida

[DJ_Critterus]

Do the lights dim when you charge the Volt? Actually it's a serious question.

No. Charging outlet is on a dedicated circuit with nothing else on it.

[SurfnSun]

I still have to patch the hole from the old light but here what it looks like.

[Rob]

Remove ballast and install LED or install new LED fixtures; whatever is easiest. I did a friend’s kitchen lighting and it was a great improvement over the old lights.



The dimmer switch had to be replaced by the proper type, but that won’t apply to your application.



That’s what I did