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T5 connectors & Retrofit

Posted by intercessor (My Page) on
Wed, Feb 21, 07 at 20:57

Hi,
I found T5 54watt bulbs for $4+ and ballasts for $24+. Any idea how hard it would be to retrofit T5 connectors into a cheap T8 fixture? Not even sure where to find the T5 connectors...

Good day


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: T5 connectors & Retrofit

Sensible prices.

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 :(

Here is a link that might be useful: End caps


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RE: T5 connectors & Retrofit

Thank you shrubs, I'll look into it. It is quite odd that T5 technology has been around for 12+ years?, and they are so hard to come by when there can not be much difference in the manufacturing of the components. Strange...

Andrew


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RE: T5 connectors & Retrofit

T5s are much more readily available in Europe, although you can still pay high prices for complete plant lighting systems if you want.

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.


 
 

 

 


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