Fluorescent light fixture recommendations

[ndbprr]

I plan on CFLs this time. Read the article on the RR in the last issue of MR where the guy mounted sockets and CFLs on a 1 x 4 board. Makes much more sense to me. No balasts or big fixtures or 4' bulbs and pins to finagle into sockets over a rr. Same advantages less hassle

[MisterBeasley]

For most rooms in my house, I prefer dimmers.  This holds for the train room as well.  I can select the level of light I want, from full on for layout work and photography down to almost nothing for "night running" where most of the illumination comes from the structures and streetlights.

Mine are all still incandescents.  For a new installation, though, I'd go with compact flourescent fixtures.  The dimmable CFLs require different dimmers than flourescents, which is one reason I haven't changed over yet.  They say the energy efficiency will pay for the conversion in the long run.  But, of course, "they" say a lot of things.

[mbinsewi]

Start with a "big box" store. like Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards., or whatever you have down there.  I got mine at a Home Depot.  One fixture, that holds 2, 48" bulbs was about $15 a piece.  They are basic, I think they called them shop lights, they plug in, and hang from the ceiling with chains.  They have been working fine for 3 years now.  It's recommended that you leave them on for the first 24 hours, and that beaks in the ballasts.  I removed the cords, and hard wired them to a switch.

Mike.

[pkazmir]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend some inexpensive 48" fluorescent light fixtures (cheap, but not in quality - don't want cruddy ballasts)? I don't need a lot but everywhere I look they're pretty expensive...

Thanks,
Peter