question about flourescent shop lamps buzzing

[Honkylips]

A buddy of mine just scored a bunch of 8', dual lamp flourescents from a demo job. I wired up 8 of them in my garage and noticed some don't buzz, some buzz a bit, and some buzz a lot. I'm assuming that the louder the buzz, the more "worn out" the ballast is. I'm also assuming it's not hurting anything, or is there potential for fire or whatnot with the loud buzzing ones? My last assumption is that the buzzinng ones will work fine till the ballast dies.

Are these assumptions correct, or do I need to change the ballasts or just get new fixtures?

[Aces'n'8s]

Replace your ballasts.

A tired, old ballast will cause any newly installed bulbs to prematurely fail.

I think you can get new "regular" FL ballasts at Lowes/HD for $12-$15. Or you could even install some instant start ones for $30+.

[Gummi Bear]

Chances are that the ballasts pre-date the 'sound rating' that is on modern ballasts. It's also indicative that they're on the downhill side of their life.

When you change some of them out, look at the date code stamped on the back. The oldest one I can remember changing was over 30 years old.





If you can swing it, go ahead and get the new electronic ballasts. They fire quicker, are less impacted by climactic changes (they will glow dim if it's really cold until they warm up), they're nearly silent, they weigh less, and they don't stink or ooze icky black stuff when they eventually fail.

[puppy]

I would opt for new fixtures. You have the older style T12 fixtures, which are starting to be phased out of production as we speak. At some point the lamps will no longer be available. Some of the buzzing sound you might be hearing is that the are not high output fixtures and don't deal with cold weather start-up as well. I would get some 8' 4 lamp T8 fixtures with newer electronic ballast, they will put our more lumens and start better in cold weather. I think they usally run around $45/fixture. I just installed 6 in my garage.

[cybergeek23851]

I Some of the buzzing sound you might be hearing is that the are not high output fixtures and don't deal with cold weather start-up as well.

Bingo! x2

http://www.servicelighting.com/library/high_output_fluorescent_ballasts_from_service_ligh ting.cfm

[alk1174]

I dont know what brand or type of flourescents are in my garage but they are slightly dim and buzz when cold but after the air warms up everythings fine. Never had to replace a bulb and they have been that way for 4 years.

[johnrv4]

I bought 12 new 8' lights with the cold start ballasts, and it pissed me off after I got them all installed and turned them on.... They all buzz bad. I'm thinking that all the ballasts are going to have to be replaced. I wish I would have known that when I bought them, but I had them sitting around for quite a while before I got them put up.

[lal357]

check some construction sites mainly the ones that are remodels/demo .i am always giving away stuff like that to a electrician they are a dime a dozen the new electronics are the way to go .you'd be suprised at what is thown out i built my home shop(12x16 witha 3 sided add on 9x16) for 152.00 total .
stuff like plugs,switches,panelsand lights are givien away or tossed out every day