Man am I PO'd. 4 years ago we installed new lights in a addition to our shop, 55 in all. Went for the deal at menards, big mistake. They are american flourescent ?? name brand. If you are building a shop avoid these junkers and spend the money and buy something decent. AS of today I have changed 18 ballasts out of 55 and I can tell I'll need to change 2 more very soon. Just some advice.............Yes VA's supply are fine.

Also if your shop is not heated make sure you get a cold start model rated for the expected temps or youll have short bulb life and zebra stripes.

I bought 6 8' HO cold weather lights from Menards two years ago. I have replaced 3 ballasts so far.

I bought 12 cheep lights from there and they work fine but they are very loud

Some tubes (bulbs) require you put them in a certain way- anode end or you'll fry ballasts. I used to work in a large cabinet shop and prev maintanance guy put 'em in wrong &I was always changing ballasts. they usually have a sticker on bulb to let you know.

If they still have the same brand, buy a new light and take ballast out. Replace with bad one and take box back and say its defective. I've done that 3 times now in a year.):h

Some tubes (bulbs) require you put them in a certain way- anode end or you'll fry ballasts. I used to work in a large cabinet shop and prev maintanance guy put 'em in wrong &I was always changing ballasts. they usually have a sticker on bulb to let you know.

Is this true? I have never heard of this or seen any markings on any tubes I`ve used. I helped an electrician replace several hundred tubes in a complex and he never said anything about which end to put where.:)

I've switched to CFL's in the brightest light color I can get. I really like them. I've got them in up to 500 watt equivalant. They put off a great bright light & screw into a regular cheap socket.