The fixtures I have are cheap ones bought about 30~35 years ago and have two 4 foot bulbs in each fixture. Very common style, hangs from small chains. So I got 4 of the ballast units they (1000bulbs.com) suggested ($10.16 each): https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/98460/BU-B232IUNVHP-N.html
These ballasts connect differently than the old ones, but this is clearly marked on the unit. I'd say each fixture took me about 15 to 20 minutes to convert...the large part of that having to be on a ladder and fiddling with putting screws back into a flimsy fixture. Interestingly these old fixtures were all made in the USA, so I didn't have to curse at them in another language. Not so interestingly I installed the top plate in the last fixture upside down and didn't notice it until later. I'll admit cursing at that one freely, but I think it understood I was really cursing at myself for not paying attention.
The old ballasts used .85 amp to run. That much I know, and honestly I didn't realize those required that much current or I'd have changed them earlier. Besides they run so hot you have to let them cool before you can touch them. The new ballasts (from the data I have) seem to run at around at around 13~14 watts...which is remarkably less and they run very cool. Each 4 foot led bulb requires 16 watts to run whereas the previous 4 foot fluorescent bulbs required 40 watts each. So any way you do the math, there is going to be a positive savings of over 50%. Plus as I said earlier you can see every square inch of that garage as if it is daylight in there. If you look around, you'll see I didn't get the highest rated (by lumens) bulbs. In fact, I got the least expensive ones. Trust me, I don't need any more brightness out there. No more reaching into the fridge and getting a bottle of waffle syrup thinking it is a beer.
One other interesting thing is these plug right in to the old style fluorescent bulb fixtures. I didn't have to change those.
Hope this helps. Jon
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
