Question for those knowledgeable about flourescent lamps.
I helped a buddy install an eight foot flourescent light into his garage. It was a 2 lamp model with a electronic ballast rated for cold weather. We installed 2 new – F96T12 /cw/ho-o lamps and flipped the switch. The lamps were noticabbly dull in the middle, and full brightness at the ends. After a couple of minutes, the lights were at full brightness for the full length. What caused this, and is it normal?
Replies
Too many other issues to deal with to wonder why these lamps act wierdly. Mine do the same thing when it's cold, and I just accept it. Like other strange things in Wisconsin, like guys wearing sponge cheese wedges on their heads, fascination with walleyes and turkey calling, everything green and gold, wide ends in the aisles, you name it.
Assuming you used HO ballasts and HO lamps, you should be fine. It is normal when lamps are brand new to not be quite as bright as they would after they have a few hours on them.
Practically all fluorescent lamps will take awhile to warm up. And if it's a little cool they'll take longer. So long as they're getting to full brightness within about two minutes (maybe five in cold weather) then things are fine.