What watt fluorescent tube do I need?

[PeteXXX]

I need a new 1260 x 29 fluorescent tube for one half of my kitchen (15' x 12' total size)
What wattage do I need for an average amount of light?
I can get 6w 8w 14w 18w 21w 28w 36w & 58w warm white or cool light. Dimmable is not necessary.

And is it wise to transport it 3 miles on a bike?

 

[presta]

It really needs to be about the same power as the one you're replacing unless you're going to change the ballast choke as well. When I tried to break up an old one before putting it in the wheelie bin it seemed nigh on indestructible.

 

[NickNick]

iirc if its one of the ones with a starter in it (a plastic cylinder that slots into the light fitting somewhere, can post pic if need be) they cover a range of wattages, e.g. 4-80W, 4-65W, 4-22W... so you want to make sure its compatible. You best bet as Presta said, is to match the wattage to the bulb you are replacing. I would definitely go for a warm white, its a colour much closer to incandescent bulbs, the cold whites are way too clinical for my liking.

 

[PeteXXX]

Thanks for the input folks.

This is the thingie. No idea re the wattage of the dead one as the information has worn away with age.

 

[presta]

If there's no marking on the tube have a look at the ballast, it should be marked on there.

 

[PeteXXX]

Yep, it's the tube I need. Just posted the pic to see if it would help determine which one I want.

 

[PeteXXX]

If there's no marking on the tube have a look at the ballast, it should be marked on there.

What's the ballast?

 

[presta]

What's the ballast?

There's a ballast choke (or an electronic ballast) inside the fitting, it needs to be about the same rating as the tube.

 

[PeteXXX]

[QUOTE 4979762, member: 9609"]all four foot tubes are 36 watts, you won't be able to buy any other wattage for a four foot florescent tube

How do you know it is the tube and not the starter ?[/QUOTE]
The tube is black instead at one end.

 

[PeteXXX]

All sorted, thank you

Who new it was so complicated

 

[the snail]

It really needs to be about the same power as the one you're replacing unless you're going to change the ballast choke as well. When I tried to break up an old one before putting it in the wheelie bin it seemed nigh on indestructible.

You really should recycle fluorescents/cfls, they contain mercury.

 

[classic33]

It really needs to be about the same power as the one you're replacing unless you're going to change the ballast choke as well. When I tried to break up an old one before putting it in the wheelie bin it seemed nigh on indestructible.

There a health hazard if you break them, hope you had the full hazmat suit on.

 

[presta]

I did know that they contain mercury, but at the time I think my mind was on getting the lid of the wheelie bin shut.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Tubes in the bin Tut Tut

 

[pawl]

Tubes in the bin Tut Tut

Yes agree.Break it up and cut yourself you could end up an A&E case.

Take to the tip,ther is usually a separate place for fluorescent tubes