Marquee light selection

[DemonBrew]

I've searched the forums, read suggestions, still have a question. It's my first cab, about ready to install marquee lighting. Going with the obvious florescent tube lighting - but what am I looking for exactly?

Specfically - I can remember florescent tube lighting that you had to hold down the start button for 10 seconds while it "warms up". The bulb wont light unless you hold the button down. I know there's prob some technical term I'm looking for. And I know I do not want this kind of light for obvious reasons.

If I get a light fixture WITH a starter, does that address the problem? Lights without a starter are the kind you have to "jump start"?

[SteveJ34]

For upright projects I have used a 24" utility fixture from Home Depot  with a T20 bulb. Fixture runs about $12 and the bulb another 4.

Yes, this includes a starter....you wire it to 110v and power it up.

For several marquee lightbox signs I have built for gameroom decoration and family/friends I just went with an under the counter fixtures that include like a T12 bulb for about $20.  These are lower profile than the a standard fixture and bulb which is what I needed to make a lower profile light box.

I removed and tossed the plastic fixture covers which seems to improve "brightness".

Good luck with your project.

Steve