Anyone know where I can get T8 tube electrical connectors from?

[ProDave]

A (slightly eccentric) neighbour has refurbished two old Russian ex laboratory explosion proof flourescent light fittings.

He has now handed them to me to rewire them.  the plan us to use LED tubes (4ft T8 2 per fitting)

The problem I face is the original end connectors that the tubes fit into, the plastic is aged and brittle and broken.  So I need to buy 8 new end electrical connectors for T8 tubes.  Anyone know where I can get them.

Then if there is a choice I will get picky about which ones, to minimise the engineering / bodging to make them fit in place of the originals (that bolted with 2 screws to an aluminium plate at each end)

 

[Geoff1946]

I'm fairly sure that Toolstation has some.

 

[Andy™]

any good? used often on shop signs

https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/26-420-4403-50/t8-push-on/dp/LA00287

&

https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00994/tool-clips-z-p-1-pk10/dp/FN02099

 

[ProDave]

Thanks @Andy That;s close, but in this application there is no way to support the tubes with clips like that.  The holders must fix to two aluminium plates and be the sort you insert the tube into a slot and then rotate the tube 90 degrees to lock it in place.

 

[ProDave]

I am considering this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183144661696?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D235111%26meid%3Df7c1e172e04e48efa8bfd34df6dd483a%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D363061040188%26itm%3D183144661696%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseWithPLXWeb%26brand%3Duxcell&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A183144661696f7c1e172e04e48efa8bfd34df6dd483a|enc%3AAQAGAAACAJpeTjUOaPYG5c2chfxgCJ32mmsXyvYWjfqBRmATVXtpiiW5P0jzDKGLX1idwVf7qs6Y8YCjOCgyXvs%2BdHcgJ%2F4fj13YyxsO6mYBTrGliubQszU3%2BtrI9nXeRG6Pih9bYIeknQXlCn%2B4GI93rjpb1XU1V%2FqEu47iM1l0SCSJ5PB1X47BJW%2BB1LjIQytg1Cn25miyJaxtvgKkTFdMhPQXB0eX09tWxDlu4J018tmv0Yuj%2BMNzTX0g2OeXjT%2FCc9Lu0tbbojEjFVDwf7LJsz%2FqKO6hW22%2FNCDDQht7QFynNceVfjGo9hwVO4TI4tLKnnGiIYX5RTagN%2B%2B4JmsAK7yGRW9T7X15yWahttr65TtcRDRWs6FJFxylATJ2GWm%2Bysa93hKQRVsulx%2FSTac5rNp7Tp98q%2Fy2BXlcZmApQppg0H3wVCmjMWsOKUeIvzzVLBUcPydtPQ0MkoSnSXcvDWsLxYJlqohEJmtK0AcoToUY7Y2mMKMTuvSY2N07rDU8c6cYHiegLlluP0BisJt16JQpfH7gtShLOcrBgRTAc1ydVpcWdayEbPlqD%2B%2FYylVTHwKI9k7OWFz4drzbJ7pJmCTCs4XdjQOF7sgkPfLGH7bJk0i%2BktzwX%2FbcIycf8rPqX0y9kceokrxzp9k1YPd%2FUTwUiQRIjQHSvLvLbymgxIDjNahJ|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2047675&epid=26006266006

That's for 2 tubes which is what I ultimately need, though I was expecting separate holders. 

To make that one work, I would have to find out the spacing between the 2 tubes and see if it was remotely similar to what this fitting wants, and then find somewhere I could drill some mounting holes, or alternatively devise some other way to attach the back of each to an aluminium plate.

 

[Phoenix]

There used to be a catalogue that was just bits for lighting and there would be pages and pages of different tube holders, starter sockets etc. cant remember what it is called but ill call the wholsaler who had the acount with them on monday, if you had a picture of what you are looking for could also try and get a scan of the relevant page(s)

 

[ProDave]

Here is what I am trying to replicate



I need two holders at each end. The other end is a similar round aluminium plate.  It could be one twin holder like the one I linked to on ebay if the tube spacing was roughly correct.  The main thing is I need to find a way to mount them to the aluminium plate, re drilling holes for that is okay. 

It must be the type where the tube slots in then rotates to secure it, there is no space for pulling the fittings apart to release a tube.

This assembly with the 2 tubes slides into a glass tube that then connects into a bug chunky polished chrome fitting at each end.

 

[binky]

This assembly with the 2 tubes slides into a glass tube that then connects into a bug chunky polished chrome fitting at each end.

sounds like you have an explosive atmosphere fitting? 

 

[kerching]

sounds like you have an explosive atmosphere fitting? 

Strangely I came to the same conclusion when in the first line of the original post it mentioned

just saying

ex laboratory explosion proof flourescent light fittings.

 

[binky]

Strangely I came to the same conclusion when in the first line of the original post it mentioned

just saying

magic! I'll go find my reading glasses  :^O

 

[ProDave]

Yes this guy is a bit eccentric.  He is building his own house.  These ex laboratory lights in his work room will complement the restored ex ship lights in the rest of the house that I fitted for him a few years ago

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