Kitchen ceiling light fixture and flourescent
#1
09-01-18, 09:15 PM
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 106
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Kitchen ceiling light fixture and flourescent
I am having a problem finding bulbs for a ceiling light fixture.
The bulbs are: Philips FB34T12/CW/6/EW
They are bent or U shaped 34 watt Alto collection.
I have purchased them at Home Depot Lowes for many years but can't find any this year. I have read that they would stop manufacturing them in 2012 due to federal refilations.
But the stores had them last year so guess they were able to sell the remaining inventory. I have not been able to find a replacement but they do have some other sizes and not sure if they would work in those fixtures. The sizes have seen are:
32 & 40 watts but I dont have the other specifications right now. I will post pictures of the fixture with the bulbs in there-both light are out now. And will add the label from the light fixture if that will help.
I would appreciate any suggestions to deal with this issue-thanks so much!
The bulbs are: Philips FB34T12/CW/6/EW
They are bent or U shaped 34 watt Alto collection.
I have purchased them at Home Depot Lowes for many years but can't find any this year. I have read that they would stop manufacturing them in 2012 due to federal refilations.
But the stores had them last year so guess they were able to sell the remaining inventory. I have not been able to find a replacement but they do have some other sizes and not sure if they would work in those fixtures. The sizes have seen are:
32 & 40 watts but I dont have the other specifications right now. I will post pictures of the fixture with the bulbs in there-both light are out now. And will add the label from the light fixture if that will help.
I would appreciate any suggestions to deal with this issue-thanks so much!
Last edited by Jerry32; 09-01-18 at 09:33 PM. Reason: wasnt finished
#2
09-01-18, 09:27 PM
Group Moderator
If you are stuck using that fixture then replace the ballast for a new style electronic ballast and then you can run any T8 U tube. The ballast may run around $15-20. The T8 tubes will fit in the T12 sockets.
#3
09-01-18, 09:28 PM
T12 has phased out and your lamp is T12. However, T8 U-Bent lamps are still available. Often T8 lamps works just fine with T12 ballast, but not guaranteed.
You could replace your existing ballast with T8 type and use T8 lamp, or get a LED retrofit for it.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...9411/301154651
May require bypassing the ballast depending on how your existing ballast is wired. (Especially if you have a magnetic ballast)
Do some research on correct type of LED lamp you need before purchasing.
Unless you really like your existing light fixture, it might be the best to just replace whole light fixture.
You could replace your existing ballast with T8 type and use T8 lamp, or get a LED retrofit for it.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...9411/301154651
May require bypassing the ballast depending on how your existing ballast is wired. (Especially if you have a magnetic ballast)
Do some research on correct type of LED lamp you need before purchasing.
Unless you really like your existing light fixture, it might be the best to just replace whole light fixture.
#4
09-02-18, 12:27 PM
Member
Here ya go, these will be available for years to come.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/SYLVANIA-22...t-Bulb/3745629
Each manufacturer had their own name for their 34 watt energy saving fluorescent lamps back 35 to 40 years ago. Your Phillips lamps were Econo-Watt (EW), GE had their Watt-Miser (WM) and Sylvania had their Super-Saver (SS). They were basically all the same. Phillips Alto lamps have the green end caps and that simply means they are low mercury lamps. You could also use the 40 watt T-12 U Lamps as well without changing the ballast.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/SYLVANIA-22...t-Bulb/3745629
Each manufacturer had their own name for their 34 watt energy saving fluorescent lamps back 35 to 40 years ago. Your Phillips lamps were Econo-Watt (EW), GE had their Watt-Miser (WM) and Sylvania had their Super-Saver (SS). They were basically all the same. Phillips Alto lamps have the green end caps and that simply means they are low mercury lamps. You could also use the 40 watt T-12 U Lamps as well without changing the ballast.
#5
09-10-18, 11:57 PM
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 106
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Thanks to all
My apologies for this slow reply. When I was originally trying to post this I couldn't find the Go Advanced mode and hadn't posted pics in a while and it somehow posted without my previewing as I have done in the past. Of course I've found the tutorial so won't have this problem in the future.
But fortunately y'all translated my jibberish & posted those great replies and I really appreciate this wonderful venue and the kind and all of your knowledgeable help.
So interestingly I found a bulb here (model# beliow) that I bought by mistake last year & after I read your replies I decided to go buy another & voila it worked without getting another balllast!
Thanks again!
FB32T8/TL841/6/ALTO
But fortunately y'all translated my jibberish & posted those great replies and I really appreciate this wonderful venue and the kind and all of your knowledgeable help.
So interestingly I found a bulb here (model# beliow) that I bought by mistake last year & after I read your replies I decided to go buy another & voila it worked without getting another balllast!
Thanks again!
FB32T8/TL841/6/ALTO
#6
09-11-18, 09:57 AM
It is still recommended to replace ballast with T8, especially if your existing ballast is magnetic.
The lamp life may be shorten with T12 ballast and T8 electric ballast will use less energy as well.
The lamp life may be shorten with T12 ballast and T8 electric ballast will use less energy as well.
#7
09-25-18, 05:30 PM
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 106
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Thanks again for all your replies & sorry for my late responce.
As far as the ballast is there any danger not replacing this-a fire hazard possibly?
I prob. have that light on-2 hours a day at the most.
But I appreciate and respect your advice - and will use it.
I finally was able to upload a photo & wondering where the ballast goes. Does it go
under the cover separating the lights? Also can you tell if this is a magnetic ballast or is
there anything on the label there that would identify this-hoping you can read that. Thanks!
As far as the ballast is there any danger not replacing this-a fire hazard possibly?
I prob. have that light on-2 hours a day at the most.
But I appreciate and respect your advice - and will use it.
I finally was able to upload a photo & wondering where the ballast goes. Does it go
under the cover separating the lights? Also can you tell if this is a magnetic ballast or is
there anything on the label there that would identify this-hoping you can read that. Thanks!
#8
09-25-18, 05:37 PM
Group Moderator
Yes to all. The ballast is under the cover. Not replacing the ballast will either shorten the life of the T8 lamps or the old ballast, or they might not work at all. The label on the ballast will tell you what type it is and what kind of lamps it can operate.
#9
10-01-18, 12:23 PM
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 106
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Tolyn Ironhand
Yes to all. The ballast is under the cover. Not replacing the ballast will either shorten the life of the T8 lamps or the old ballast, or they might not work at all. The label on the ballast will tell you what type it is and what kind of lamps it can operate.
