Good day

I'm starting to think there is some sort of conspiracy to prevent T5 components being sold at sensible prices in the US. I couldn't find any T5 end caps online except the expensive water resistant ones sold by the hydro stores.

Just in case you find nothing, here is a UK store offering them for about a dollar a pair. They will ship to the US but it might be expensive :(

Andrew

There are definitely non-market factors at work in the US, I'm not precisely sure of all the details. Its hard to imagine that the supply is being restricted artificially to keep prices high but that's certainly the impression that comes across. Fluorescent lighting is effectively subsidised in various ways with rebates and discounts offered for certain approved technology upgrades, newer T8s qualify so why go the extra step to T5s. I suspect T5s haven't really hit the sweet spot with the big commercial buyers despite all the lobbying for them, especially as hi-bay replacements for metal halides. Maybe also the slightly different lengths has hurt the ability the retro-fit.