My barn was built in the 1970s and the overhead light fixtures (96" T12 florescent tubes) appear to be giving out. I’ve replaced the bulbs but they still don’t always turn on, especially when it’s wet out.
Rather than replacing ballasts, considering replacing the entire fixtures. Anything specific I should look for? I’m assuming LED will be the recommendation?
Go with LED. Check with your electric company. Here in Maine they used have a service to help analyze what works best in commercial establishments to change over with a subsidy. That ended years ago, but there is an organization called Efficiency Maine that works with some electricians to help with the cost. BO had some of the lighting done, but the guy hasn’t come back to do the arena lighting yet.
There is a store, Batteries Plus Bulbs, that has the ultimate bargain. Duracell will have rebates on 3-packs of LEDs and Efficiency Maine has a subsidy that wipes out the rest of the cost. Most of the time you can get them free and just pay the sales tax. I’ve had to pay 50 cents/box a few times. I got a dozen boxes for the office, classroom, bathroom, tack rooms, etc. Much better lighting and cheap. I get daylight or cool for the barn, soft for the house. That store has every kind of battery you can imagine and a great selection of LED flashlights. I revived my HP 12C calculator. It is a franchise company.
I recently had the same issue with some of my fluorescent lights. My lights are approximately 10 years old. Rather than replace the entire light fixture, we replaced the fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs and disconnected the ballast. It’s only been a few months but they’re working just fine and so much brighter than they were.
We went with smaller new LED fixtures and it is SO bright now! Easy changeover. Got them at Lowes on sale.
I’m about to jump into a similar project right now! By my dads recommendation, I purchased some LED tube lights from Costco for about $22 a piece. He used his for his garage, and they are BRIGHT. Each is 48" long and you can literally link them together end to end. They plug in to normal outlets and appear to be super easy to hang.
I recently put 4 of these in my little barn (4000K, 5000 lumens, 4 ft LEDs, vapor sealed). One each over the 2 12’x12’ stalls and 2 along the aisle. If anything it’s too bright, literally instant on daylight even on cold nights/mornings. I added a 100W incandescent for night check because I got tired of the dirty looks from the disturbed equines. Electrician initially suggested 6. That would have been crazy bright. Barn is 24’x24’ inside dimensions and the lights are hung at 10’, roughly.
I also switch to the LED But kept a few compact fluorescent lamps to use for the early morning feedings…the LED lights made the horses squint as the bright light nearly blinded them.
The compact fluorescent slowly come on
Definitely switch to the LED. Turning the lights on in the barn is pretty much a religious moment for me now that I have made this switch.
:eek::eek::eek:
That’s a spiritual moment right there for sure.
The cardiologist called that a handy stress test.
He has a twisted sense of humor.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
