Newt

I am looking for the european Philips Aquarelle 48 inch T8 fluorescent tubes. TL-D 36/89.
This is a 36 watt, 89 CRI. Product order code: 543660 (this is part of the UPC code).

Post and PM me if you have any for sale or know where I can purchase in the U.S.

Newt

Never mind. I found a US company that imports Philips bulbs (www.aamsco.com) that are ordering a case for me. I opted for the 38 watt bulb as they were the same price as the 36 watters >>>>$29.95 each. The price is high because they tell me Philips is discontinuing the Aquarelles and are cutting back on a lot of bulbs; aka streamlining. These T8s last a long time.....2+ years and have a very strong (peaks) intensity in the blue and orange/red regions.

Newt

Ugghhhhhh, you wont believe it!!!
The Aquarelles finally arrived and they are only a meter long and not 48 inches. The company is giving me a hard time about returning them. They said I should have known they were a meter long EVEN THOUGH I was inquiring about 48 inch T8 Aquarelles. I think they should have pointed out that they were only a meter long.

davemonkey

Newt, you got the screws put to you! I'm angry on your behalf.

Are there any US fixtures that can house a 1 meter bulb? Or maybe you could DIY one (although it's not going to cover the 48" you were needing) .

-Dave

Newt

Thanks Davemonkey. I need support right now.
When I called Aamsco I made mention that their website had all of the four Aquarelles listed as T12 bulbs. See here: http://www.aamsco.com/general-lighting.php#Aquarelle
I made it clear I wanted an Aquarelle in a T8 (T12 are/were made for N.A. and are not the same in output) 48 inch and that I had some of the 36 watt lamps and really liked them. Then I saw the 38 watt on the Philips website but it gave no length but all the other info was the same as the 36 watt. So I asked about pricing that out as it had 2 more watts. HELLO: Time to interject and say "No No NO not the samey samey". Instead I got "you should have known". Well I dont sell bulbs - just use them.

I didnt even know they made 1 meter bulbs. I thought is was a more powerful 48 inch model. I made it very clear I wanted a 48" T8 Aquarelle. You'd think when I asked them to get pricing for both they would have said "do you realize they are not the same length". I knew they were T8s but who would have thought a tube 8 inches shorter would be 2 watts more and the same diameter.

I called Visa and I am disputing the charge as receiving the wrong item. Wish me luck. I am willing to work it out with them but not eat $370 in bulbs (and shipping) I cant use.

clearleaf

Wow, that sucks, I know you've spent a lot of time and effort dialing in exactly the lights you want and to have that happen in the end really stinks. Hopefully Visa will come to the rescue.

Newt

Thanks Clearleaf.

Yup, I've been thru a lot of lights and light combos. I picked up some 36 watt Aquarelles from a member who used to go to England and he hand carried a bunch back. They go great with the Philips ADV850. I've also been using them with an AGA 8000 which was designed after the GE 9325K bulb. I still use my GroLux combo as dawn/dusk lights.

I was ready to begin building a 4 lamp T8 fixture with miro4 reflectors. I'll be damed if I'll space the end caps 1 meter apart.

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

clearleaf

Did anything work out on this?

Newt

Visa has given me a conditional credit. Time will tell. I need to write a good response to Visa.

hariom

hhahaha. hang in there. ive gone through the mess myself. dealing with companies is often difficult! good luck....