Fluorescent T9 Circline Light Fixtures

[Smucky]

The autism bug has bitten me again. Last time it was WWVB radio controlled clocks

This time I caught the tail end of a conversation on irc where someone was replacing fluorescent bulbs. They had written the date of when the bulbs were replaced last time on the glass tube but noticed on some of the bulbs that the ink had greatly faded. We figured that this was due to the trace amounts of UV radiation that some fluorescent lamps emit. That made me realize just how much I miss having UV radiation indoors. Here I always sit in my office under sterile LED lamps. Funny because before I moved into this house I nerded out on which LED bulbs to get for the fixtures. Before that I had always used CFL bulbs but now my entire house is all LED and I can tell something is missing in my life. And that is UV radiation. Since I'm pretty much in my home "office" all day and night, figured that would be a good fixture to target for a change out.

They don't really make CFLs any more so that just leaves buying actual fluorescent tube lamps. I've always thought the circular ones fc8t9 were neat. Probably because I had a black light version of one as a kid

And it seems at one time there was a large selection of fixtures for the "circline" style of lamps. But they are hard to find now. There are many available in these sterile unshielded fixtures:

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Which I almost yolo'd and bought one, but realized that since it has no shade and my office desk doesn't face the wall, that it might be a bit bright in my eyes.

Digging on ebay lead to many vintage options. I was about to grab one that looks almost identical to the one on my ceiling right now:

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But when I messaged the seller about whether the shade was glass and where the ballast was located at, he just responded the item was no longer for sale. Sucks since the listing showed 10+ as a quantity and had a picture of a whole pallet load.

So now I'm back to digging. I would prefer one shaded, and hopefully made of glass since that passes UV better than plastic

[Smucky]

Looks like at one time, there were many options to choose from. Guess I'm too late

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[Smucky]

Ok, after 6 hours of googling and giving up and starting again... I think I have a plan. I'll get the cheap chrome base with the 8" light:

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And then I'll just do some custom nigger rigging to get a shade on it. Ebay is flooded with results from "glass fixture shade" Like this one is 10" diameter and 4" tall:

So it should fit right over it and I could suspend it from the fixture with decorative chains or just get a longer center bolt

[NinjaPoodle]

Doesn't it exist LED replacements?

[Smucky]

Doesn't it exist LED replacements?

Oh course. But that is not the look I'm going for. Lighting is art

[Smucky]

Hmm these chairs seem a bit faded in my local courthouse. Wonder if it is the UV from the fluroecent lighting

[NinjaPoodle]

Hmm these chairs seem a bit faded in my local courthouse. Wonder if it is the UV from the fluroecent lighting

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You should start a conversation with them about their faded office furniture and also explain the potential dangers with UV lighting from florescent lights. They will appreciate that conversation.

[Smucky]

Hmm nearly $20 for tax and shipping. Not what I wanted

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[Smucky]

Ok, found 15% discount code

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[Smucky]

Crap, lost the code. I think it was 63244

[Smucky]

Also found some 2 and 3 packs of the same bulbs on ebay for less than $30 total.

[Smucky]

From wiki

A 1993 study in the US found that ultraviolet exposure from sitting under fluorescent lights for eight hours is equivalent to one minute of sun exposure.

This is good. I typically once a week try to sit outside without a shirt on for 5 minutes. Just to get some sun. Now I don't have to do that. Not sure what I will do with the extra 5 minutes though. Maybe I could take up smoking?

[Smucky]

Paid in full

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[Smucky]

Paid in full

[Smucky]

Paid in full

[Smucky]

Paid in full

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And shipped
lightbulbs.com seems like a pretty legit place

[Smucky]

[infowar]

[Smucky]

Hell yeah. Come to daddy

[Smucky]

Getting my game plan made for July 21. I guess I'll scuff up the chrome base with scotch brite, then hit it with primer and a coat of white. But looks like I can't find any white spray paint in my house. So will have to buy some, not sure if I should get white or off white Also found a can of ultra gloss automotive clear coat in a can. Maybe I could throw that on there too

[Smucky]

But looks like I can't find any white spray paint in my house.

Found this in the barn. It's the fancy stuff too

[Smucky]

Just noticed the can says "paint + primer". So is it actually just white primer?

[NinjaPoodle]

Smucky has made 15 posts about fluorescent lights.

[Smucky]

Grabbed a longer threaded light fixture pipe from local hardware store in preparation for install

And added some extra accessories

[Smucky]

Got the base fixture in yesterday. Of course it came with a crap ballast

Prepped to paint