4 bulb T8 fixture with a cord & plug?

drew2000 · Mar 10, 2012

Hey Guys,
I have been to Lowes twice now blankly staring at the tube lights.

I really want one 4' fixture with 4 x T8 lights, preferably with a cord (so I don't have to make one myself). I have a 3 prong outlet available to plug into.

Has anyone seen a nice one of these or could post a link? I have been all over HD and Lowes, and Google, and I can't find a nice one WITH a plug.

I really like the diamond plate ones, but I can only find those in 2 bulb units. I really want 4 bulbs so I can limit this to one fixture for my small 1 car garage.

http://www.doitbest.com/Flourescent...hting-model-1241DP+RE-doitbest-sku-513493.dib

Thanks
Drew

Norcal · Mar 10, 2012

If it comes from the factory supplied w/ a cord & plug & sold at a store catering to the DIY crowd w/o being a special order all you have is a **** fixture, there is no exception to that rule. Let me ask a simple question, why does it have to come w/ a cord & plug????

drew2000 · Mar 11, 2012

Norcal said:
If it comes from the factory supplied w/ a cord & plug & sold at a store catering to the DIY crowd w/o being a special order all you have is a **** fixture, there is no exception to that rule. Let me ask a simple question, why does it have to come w/ a cord & plug????

Norcal,
It seemed like it would be easier if it came with a cord and plug. I don't want to hard wire it, because then I have to tear into my ceiling for the wiring. I guess I could make a cord and plug, but it seems like I should be able to find a quality unit somewhere that already has one.

OR maybe I can't :sad:

Thanks,
Drew

Norcal · Mar 11, 2012

drew2000 said:
Norcal,
It seemed like it would be easier if it came with a cord and plug. I don't want to hard wire it, because then I have to tear into my ceiling for the wiring. I guess I could make a cord and plug, but it seems like I should be able to find a quality unit somewhere that already has one.

OR maybe I can't

Thanks,
Drew

I did not write it in my orig. post, but why not add your own cord & plug? Simple solution,IMHO.

Will67 · Mar 11, 2012

To the op, that is what I did...add a plug. I have twelve in my shop. It took me maybe an hour to rig up all the fixtures. Hardest part for me was getting the knock-out plug out of fixture. Seems the units I purchased did not cut the knock-out enough, so I had to wiggle em for two three minutes before they broke off. Outside of that it was easy and I was able to put plug where I wanted.

drew2000 · Mar 11, 2012

Thanks for the replies. I will investigate adding my own plug. I guess I just need to get the write gauge wire to match the house. Did you guys use wire nuts or the crimp-style connectors?

Later,
Drew

mrb · Mar 11, 2012

for the cord, just get a 16ga cord. You dont need a 12 or 14ga plug in cord for a shop light unless the light's power consumption warrants it.

mudxxed · Mar 12, 2012

LOL Weird. I went to lowes saturday and had a HARD time finding one without a plug! I actually had to cut mine off and wire them to my existing ceiling wires.

esburger · Mar 13, 2012

I just recently bought 5 of these http://www.electricalmarketplace.co...ency-Fluorescent-High-Bay-No-Lamps-P2306.aspx (awesome price for HO with low starting temp.) And I need to make my own cord. Not a big deal at all. They come with a little plug adapter that shows you where the white and black wires go... then just wire nut the grounds together. I plan on buying 14ga 3 conductor extension cord wire and putting a male plug on the end. If you only need one.... I would just cut a couple feet off of an existing 14ga extension cord that you have and use that (use male end so you can plug your light in). then just buy another male plug to fix your extension cord. eazy peazy!

airbatica · Mar 13, 2012

Home Depot now carries a Lithonia 4 Bulb T8 hanging shop light that meets your requirements. It also has a convenience outlet for daisy chaining another light to it as well.

eljefino · Mar 15, 2012

esburger said:
I I plan on buying 14ga 3 conductor extension cord wire and putting a male plug on the end. If you only need one.... I would just cut a couple feet off of an existing 14ga extension cord that you have and use that (use male end so you can plug your light in). then just buy another male plug to fix your extension cord. eazy peazy!

I would just use an old computer cord; the female connector (that you're going to cut off) has been the same since forever and I always have a bunch floating around. They stamp the gauge into the plastic. If your work has an "IT dump" ask the guy for a nice thick cord. "A friend" "borrowed" a pair to make a suicide cord during Hurricane Irene...

JimVonBaden · Mar 15, 2012

I am using 4 LOA 2-bulb T-8 fixtures from Walmart. $10 each, with a cord. Nice clean white aluminum with reflectors. Eventually I will hard wire them, but they work great. Many here have had great experiences with this "Chinese ****"!

In your case, two spread out would be better than 4 bulbs in one unit crowded into each other, for light output anyhow.

Jim

eljefino · Mar 15, 2012

^ some say you want to space the LOA units (and all flourescents not specifically so rated) off the ceiling by half an inch in case the ballast overheats. Keeps the fire down.

My LOA is actually assembled in America, though the ballast and 85% of the value is probably Chinese.

I'm working on replacing my ghetto T12s with humming magnetic ballasts with those LOA units one at a time. Not bad for the money.

4 bulb T8 fixture with a cord & plug?

drew2000

Member

Norcal

Well-known member

drew2000

Member

Norcal

Well-known member

Will67

Well-known member

drew2000

Member

mrb

Well-known member

mudxxed

New member

esburger

Active member

airbatica

Well-known member

eljefino

Well-known member

JimVonBaden

Well-known member

eljefino

Well-known member