T5HO bulb lengths

[maccardi]

Hi all,
Does anyone know if all t5ho 48" bulbs are actually 46.5" or less? They are all advertised as a 48" bulb but are they all standard in length. Are there some that are actually a full 48" pin to pin?
Most manufacturers don't provide true length specs and my fixture currently has 45 3/4" bulbs in it. I want to replace them but I'm unsure if they are all standard in length. There is room for play in my fixture for a larger bulb but not one that is a full 48".

To answer the question your probably going to ask; I bought the cheap Odyssey fixture off ebay for budget reasons so please don't laugh...

 

[Bk718]

you know i actually came across same issue when i was looking at the t5 bulbs. Some websites actually state NOT STANDARD. So im wondering if that means its less or more than standard.. Will be interested in an answer myself.

 

[maccardi]

This is my problem, I noticed on some sights that a typical 48" bulb is 46.5". I'm trying to find out if that is standard and the reason they call it a 48" bulb is only because of the fixture size and overhead within the fixture. I'd hate to drop 30+ $ on a bulb only to find out it doesnt fit.
Do you know of any good sources for these bulbs online? They all seem to be around $17-$25 but they ding you pretty hard on the shipping.

 

[Bk718]

crap i was just checking out a site the other day. They had bulbs for $10-20.. only if i can find it again.. lol

 

[maccardi]

these are $15 + 10 Shipping up to 3 bulbs, notice the nominal length

Brand Philips, GE or Sylvania
Manufacturer Item# F54W/T5/865/40
Watts 54
Bulb Shape T5
Base Miniature BiPin
Initial Lumens 5,000
Mean Lumens 4,700
Average Rated Life 20,000
CRI 85
Kelvin Temp. 6500°K (Cool)
Length 48" (Nominal Length 45.2")
Case Quantity 40