I recently remodeled my basement into an office and I installed nine new fluorescent fixtures in the ceiling. They are your basic two bulb (@ 48 inches long) hanging shop lights. I purchased all new bulbs ( GE kitchen & bath F40T12). The package states that they should last 9 years (six hours per day). I have been replacing them after six months!! I called GE and they said that I should check with the maker of the fixtures to see if I was using the correct bulbs. I did that and they said that I had installed the correct bulbs and they couldn't tell me why I was having a problem. I called GE back and told them what the fixture mfg said and GE said that maybe the fixtures had bad ballasts. I called the fixture mfg back and asked about the ballasts. They said that they did not make the ballasts and that I should take the fixture apart and see who made the ballasts and call them. Well--s--t!! I called GE back and pushed them a little more and they sent me $30 worth of coupons for more bulbs!! This time I bought cool white bulbs just to try something different. (I also bought a couple of Sylvanias just for laughs.

So my question is: How long should these bulbs last?? I know it should be more than six months. So if they are only lasting six months then what is the problem?

All of the fixtures are hard wired and grounded. They are all connected to a single light switch so they all come on at the same time.

Any help with this would be appreciated.:(

Do you have the make and model of the ballast?

I took one of the lights apart to check the ballast. It doesn't look like any ballast that I have ever seen. Just a printed circuit board with components attached. I do not see any name or number anywhere! I have attached a picture--I hope it goes through OK.

I also noticed that the bulbs were warm to the touch at one end but not the other --if that makes any difference.

Is this one of those $10 fixtures found at Home Depot?

$9.95 at Lowe's

Return these fixtures. They are the cause of premature lamp burnout. Get fixtures with real ballasts made by Advance, Universal, GE, Jefferson.

For $10, what did you expect?

Good advice thanks---I guess I expected a fixture that would probably not last as long as one that costs more--however--I had no idea that they would cause premature lamp burnout. How can I tell if a fixture has a good ballast. Do I need to take them apart and see who makes them?

Also-- how do I get a fixture that does not have the humming/buzzing problem. That was one thing that sold me on these cheap fixtures--they are quiet!

A full size fixture will have a real ballast, if the lamps it uses is T8 then it will be an electronic ballast. If there is any question open the carton and fixture at the store before purchasing.

Are the T-8 bulbs not the best? Should I stay away from electronic ballasts?

Today T8 is the standard, there are other lamps, such as T5, but these are for commercial. The fixtures are not practical for home use and are not cheap. Any T8 lamp can only use an electronic ballast rated for the wattage lamp.