I knew the answer to this once, but that brain cell has long since died: I have flourecent lights in my garage. When it is cold in the garage, they have a lot of trouble firing up, they just kinda glow at either end. I knew there are tubes that are made for a less than warm enviroment, anyone know what type that is? High Energy or something like that? Heck, while I am testing the vast wealth of knowledge and experience on the bbs: we need a new upright vac. What type/brand works the best for a moderate price (i.e I'm not buying a Filter Queen or Rainbow!). Are those bagless Panasonics as good as the claim? Off to the web!
The shop light question- not sure. But the best uprights are made by SEBO or Lindhaus. Should be able to find on-line for $550 to $700. Less then the $1200 or so of some of the other models that don't work. Larry
I can't find them in flourencent! (sp) Plus, there ain't many moths in Ohio in December! But thanks for the tip!
My wife bought a bagless Electrolux for $200 at WalMart (I think) and it is by far the best I've ever used...it's better than my buddy's Kirby (I know, amazing) with pet hair. THis is not to say that it is the best around, but in the amount-of-$-that-a-reasonable-person-might-like-to-spend-on-a-vacuum categotry I give it 2 thumbs up!
The flourecent is going to be a ballast issue. You most likely have a energy conserving ballast if it was bought or replaced in the last 6 years. These have porblems firing up when cold. You can look at an lighting store for the old style ballast or ask them if they have a solution, have not heard of a cold weather flourecent. Other option that will fire and works real well is Neon (not red) you can get a pure white neon that is great for shop use I think it is K6500 or maybe K3500 (one is blue white other is pure white). you can have the lighting made to size and wiring it is pretty easy. be warned though it can get pricey but there is a lot of light output awhere you want it and can be very effective lighting a room with minimal shadows. Here is the guys I use, tell Scott Eric sent you Vac I bought a Hepa filter Eureka at Wally World it works real well at dog hair but it has a tendency to get dog hair wrapped around the beater bar (I have not seen one that doesn't with Golden hair). I saw some info recently that I cannot put my finger on about the bagless systems about putting dust back into the room; makes sense to me the bag is a filter so the bagless systems remove one filter from the system and have to rely on a screen filter that would seem to plug or bypass easier than a traditional bag vac with an added HEPA filter(s).
I used the cheap flourescents from Home Depot (under $15) with the electronic ballasts in my trailer. Never any issues with cold starting, just a bit of a 60 cycle flicker until they have been running for a few minutes. Don
Oreck... Oreck XL vac's are great. They'll dam near suck the carpet off the floor, and very quiet when doing it. Handy after a long night binge drinking... etc.
Buy a portable heater for you garage. You won't have any probs and then you'll also be warm and toasty.
Yeh, it's should be easy to find low-temp ballasts for these lights. That's how large walk-in coolers are lit.
Need a bigger one than that! It's a 3 bay garage... I do have a propane heater there, but I don't having it running round the clock! Everyone, thanks for the help! On the vac: We actually bought a Dyson today. The cheap Kenmore we had lasted 10 years, so we figure this one should last at least that. Little more than I wanted to spend, but with 2 young ones running around, a good vac is probably a good idea! Off to find some low-temp ballasts and high energy tubes! Thanks again!
Get the High output lights they work great they do use some more power but they are brighter and do not flicker when cold. Plus they do not humm like the reg lights. The HO bulbs have two terms on the ends.
