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  • What type of tubes for lightbox

    Posted by James Beavon on 23 November 2012 at 15:33

    Hi all.

    I need to replace some flourescent tubes in an old lightbox but im not sure of the correct ones to buy.

    Can i just use generic B&Q tubes or do i need a specific type.

    cheers

    David Rogers replied 12 years, 10 months ago 6 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Tim Painter

    Member
    23 November 2012 at 15:44

    Go to an electrical wholesalers far cheaper and they will give you far more help.

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    23 November 2012 at 17:05

    i agree with Tim, if possible get a decent brand too. they tend to have better illumination/brightness and longer life. that said, your customer may not buy that and just want new tubes.

    ive now started trying to push customers more and more to led tubes and modules. its always a difficult sell but the ones we have have loved them and often mention it too us if the subject comes up on follow-up work.

    Amari plastics do tubes, not sure the make etc but they are pretty cheap if its budget tubes your after.

  • David Rowland

    Member
    23 November 2012 at 20:30

    Cool whites or daylight tubes 🙂

  • David Rogers

    Member
    23 November 2012 at 22:54

    Best advice is:

    replace them ALL…nothing worse than them being different

    replace ALL the starters too

    best colour for general use is ‘daylight’ as ‘warm’ is too red/yellow and ‘cool’ is too blue.

  • Neil Churchman

    Member
    25 November 2012 at 09:05

    I agree with David – replace all tubes and starters(if it has any)

    You’ll need the length of tube and the diameter of the tube, and I think these are also sized as T8, T5 ect subject to diameter

  • James Beavon

    Member
    26 November 2012 at 13:44

    Cheers.

    I can match the thickness, T8 and length.

    ill get daybrights.

    screwfix sells many at a good price.

    Only thing im not sure of now is wattage. Im thinking it all depends on the output of the gear trays. What wattage do you usually use.

  • David Rogers

    Member
    26 November 2012 at 18:31
    quote James Beavon:

    Cheers.

    I can match the thickness, T8 and length.

    ill get daybrights.

    screwfix sells many at a good price.

    Only thing im not sure of now is wattage. Im thinking it all depends on the output of the gear trays. What wattage do you usually use.

    Wattage – depends on the length / diameter. You can’t specify it.

    Most boxes / suppliers are doing slimline these days.

    8′ are being / have been phases out – becoming very difficult to obtain!

    eg. 4′ – 36w, 6′ – 58w etc etc.

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