Are these light fittings ok for use?

[AJ16]

I got some free fittings from an office clear out recently and was thinking of using them in my small office. My question is will they be ok for use? One of the twin ones says to only use one tube but I really want two in there. Is there any obvious reason why the sticker should be on there as there are two tube holders. Cheers (PS not sure if the images are uploading correctly so apologies if too many appear!)

 

[Spoon]

From an electrical point of view there shouldn't be a reason why you can't put two tubes in. It's made for two.
Maybe in the office where the fitting was taken out, two tubes was too bright so they only used one and put a sticker on.

 

[Midwest]

Looks like the warning notice has been attached once in situ, might be money saving device, might be the that the internals are damaged. I would suggest you give them back, and get some nice new shiny ones.

 

[Jamchiv01]

Hello, with regards to the light fitting with the sticker on it, this may be due to one of the ballasts being faulty and not allowing the light to work correctly.

Also from the picture you posted the capacitor seems to be showing signs of thermal damage, so for that reason I would be reluctant to use the fitting in its current state.

 

[westward10]

Scrap them, the cost of new ones it ain't worth it.

 

[Midwest]

I think the consensus is leave them on your front door step and hopefully the scrap man will relieve you of them.

 

[AJ16]

Thanks all, I will take your advice! Any recommendations on new ones?

 

[Jamchiv01]

Thanks all, I will take your advice! Any recommendations on new ones?

I found Thorn to be a good brand.

2ft, 4ft, 5ft, 6ft and 8ft Twin Thorn Fluorescent Fittings - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Manufacturers/Thorn/Fluorescent_Batten_Fittings_1/index.html

 

[telectrix]

a more sensible idea would be to ditch the ballasts and rewire the fittings to LED tubes. the cost of the tubes will be offset by the energy saving over time.

 

[Midwest]

a more sensible idea would be to ditch the ballasts and rewire the fittings to LED tubes. the cost of the tubes will be offset by the energy saving over time.

Can't be arsed with that. But perhaps I got more money (teeny pot) than sense. Says he has a business?

 

[AJ16]

Hello, with regards to the light fitting with the sticker on it, this may be due to one of the ballasts being faulty and not allowing the light to work correctly.

Also from the picture you posted the capacitor seems to be showing signs of thermal damage, so for that reason I would be reluctant to use the fitting in its current state.

I've got obsolete 8' bare battens at the moment which are not good for computer work, I would prefer diffusers like the ones I found. Any ideas on those without spending loads (on the landlords office!)

 

[AJ16]

a more sensible idea would be to ditch the ballasts and rewire the fittings to LED tubes. the cost of the tubes will be offset by the energy saving over time.

Not a bad idea seeing that no ballasts are needed. Is it just a case of stripping out the control gear or is there more to it than that?

 

[AJ16]

I found these on TLC, Surface Modular Fluorescent Fittings - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lighting_Fluorescent_Index/Modular_Fittings/index.html

It would involve some outlay but I'm wondering which variants would give the same light output as the 8' tubes that are on the ceiling now? Also would say 3 5' doubles be any cheaper to run all day than the three 8' singles that are up there?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Seems to me that flourescents are on the way out.
None of my local wholesalers stock them or even to be able to order them.
I would test those fittings to check they work, then consider keeping them for jobs where they may be usable.

 

[telectrix]

strip out the control gear. feed L to both pins on one end of the LED tube and N to the 2 pins at the other end. ssssimplessss.