I have a chance to obtain a number of used GE ballasts for F96T8 bulbs.
Most of my fixtures are 48inch T12...
What are the consequences of running these ballasts with 48 inch T12 bulbs?
If I convert to T8 can I wire 2 fixtures together to get a 96 T8 equivalent?
If a ballast is rated for 59W and I only use 32 will the bulbs be brighter? Or will they just fail sooner?
Ant one have any experiance with these?
henry
Consequences, burning down your house! Use the ballasts for what they were intended.
Think about for a bit. If the lamp is rated for 32 Watts, and subjected to a current level corresponding to nearly double that, what might the result be?
I haven't tried it in the combination you suggest, but with HO tubes in fixtures with VHO ballasts, the result is extremely short lamp life, not much of an increase in light output, and very hot lamps.
Ballasts for 96" tubes tend to be rather noisy, and depending on the wattage can consume a fair amount of power in relation to the light output. There are T8 retro fit kits available for 8' fixtures that result in similar light levels, reduced noise levels, and greatly reduced energy costs. In some areas there are also credits available from utilities for installing them.
Of the options you've presented the T8 path will produce a much better result.
Louis
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