THe Off Topic, Topic!!!!

[GEsoftwhite100watts]

@streetlight98: I think T8 has some kinks to be worked out, as of yet
I need to expand my collection, would like to get more small (below 175w) HID lamps , and some vintage old household incandescent bulbs someday. Maybe a  adapter or two.
By the way, does anybody else here like heavy equipment, mainly excavators? I do!

[Mike]

Just finished a social studies project on Sarah Palin...

It feels like summer here with it topping above 75*F every day this week so far. Tomorrow will be the same but Saturday-Monday will be in the upper 50's and Tuesday in the upper 40's. Then after that it's back to 50's and 60's. Very pleasing weather and low humidity too which is great. I have a feeling it's going to be a cool(ish) and rainy summer though.

[joe_347V]

I think we hit 26 C/78 F today It's been a pretty warm week here too. I've wearing a T shirt and shorts for the past few days.

[Mike]

I never wore a long sleeve shirt at all this winter. I switched to shorts about a week ago since that when it started getting warm. Now that it's been warm for a few days now, the school is really holding in the heat.

The heat is oppressive at my school when it starts getting really warm. When it's been 85-95*F for a few days, the school can easily get up to 100*F on the second floor!

[Mike]

I just converted my trigger start closet light to preheat. Good news is that it's done and works. Bad news is that it's loose on the wall because the screws were only screwed into drywall and now I sort of made the hole too big. I used wider screws and that seemed to solve it though. The starter socket isn't lined up perfectly with the knockout, but I can still remove and install starters though. i used a Universal preheat choke that Aaron sent me as well as the Cooper starter he sent me. Pics to come soon.

[GEsoftwhite100watts]

That's really cool Mike!
Judging by our posts in "Guess the Song" I think Mike and I like the same kind of music...

[joe_347V]

Hmm did you use drywall anchors when mounting the light back on Mike? I find that toggle bolts hold the most weight and are most commonly used to mount fluorescent fixtures but you can't reuse them since the toggle falls in the wall when you take them off. these and these are also good since you can reuse them.

These work in a pinch but aren't that good for drywall since they tend to loosen up over time but they work fine in brick and concrete though.

[Mike]

The light was actually mounted useing drywall screws. The only flaw was that it was drilled into the drywall and not a beam. Using a slightly wider screw seemed to do the job but i noticed it's sagging down a bit. I'll have to try those toggle screws. I think before i move out i'll reinstall the trigger start ballast though becuase i don't want to confuse any future homeowners lol.

BTW, Andy my favorite bands are Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Fear Factory , Mudvayne, Pink Floyd, Chevelle, Tool, and the Rolling stones (yeah i know odd for me to like the stones and pink floyd when all the other bands are heavy rock/metal LOL).

[joe_347V]

Hmm if you're talking about these



Then they're not very good since they're supposed to be used to mount drywall onto the framing, I wonder why they didn't use drywall anchors or toggle bolts.

[Mike]

Yep just like what you pictured. No juction box either. The wire enters a knockout on the back and has this black plastic crimp-type thing that keeps the wire from pulling out. It was a real "PITA" to take that light down lol. Also, how do you tighten those toggle screws? Won't the toggle just spin with the screw as you try to tighten it?

[joe_347V]

Hmm, I like using the cable clamps with screws more rather than those plastic ring things, anyways you tighten the toggle screws by pulling them with one had while turning your screwdriver with your other hand.

A warning though, once you pop the toggle in you can't unscrew it without the toggle part falling into the wall so you'll have to get a new toggle every time you unscrew it.

[GEsoftwhite100watts]

Yeah, I like a lot of 70s and 80s rock music, and some new stuff too.
Has anybody else had a song stuck in their head for days at a time?

[GEsoftwhite100watts]

My collection is adding up! I have nine spare warm white GE MainLighters laying around and today I learned of a potential opportunity to get some fixtures or at least lamps/sockets/ballasts...I really need some F40T12 ballasts...

[Mike]

i got an electric clock! Made by GE with the oldish GENERAL (GE) ELECTRIC logo.

[GEsoftwhite100watts]

Cool!
I fired up a 400w metal halide lamp today.  I also re-wired the Lithiona Hi-Tek highbay I fired it up in and need to replace the cords on the other two. 
IT'S BRIGHT! I will upload some pics of this beast!