Converting Florescent Lights to LED

granola

granola

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In my garage I have four 4’ two bulb, florescent shop lights. Due to the way they are installed on the ceiling, I’d really rather not replace the fixtures, but instead convert them to use LED bulbs. An electrician I’m not. So, after reading about it, I think I’m more confused than before I started.

Has anyone done this? My understanding is that you need to bypass the ballast by using a “kit” but I’m sure there is more to it than that.

Any suggestions, links, etc. are greatly appreciated!
 
granola said:
In my garage I have four 4’ two bulb, florescent shop lights. Due to the way they are installed on the ceiling, I’d really rather not replace the fixtures, but instead convert them to use LED bulbs. An electrician I’m not. So, after reading about it, I think I’m more confused than before I started.

Has anyone done this? My understanding is that you need to bypass the ballast by using a “kit” but I’m sure there is more to it than that.

Any suggestions, links, etc. are greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
@BatteryOaksBilly has done this .Check with him for details
 
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I to am very interested in this
 
I followed this video for my garage 4’ fluorescent to LED conversion. Wasn’t hard at all.
 
When I finally finish mine, the ballasts will be removed. I started this 2 years ago and lost interest when I saw the price of the bulbs. Been waiting for them to come down in price. Pretty sure that ain't happened yet
 
BlackGun said:
Its like being outside on a cloudless day.
Click to expand...

This is what I'm after. I'd like the sun to be relocated to my garage. @12151791 thanks for that video. I hadn't seen that one. It breaks it down very well....looks to be a piece of cake now.

Some conversion kits will be picked up today and then I'll get after this. Thanks to all for the replies and help!
 
MacEntyre said:
The plug and play led fluorescent bulbs do not last as long, and are more expensive. LED replacement fluorescent bulbs are Bright! I've considered replacing 4 fluorescent bulbs with 2 led replacements.
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Mac is right....BRIGHT!!! I have 8 8' bulbs and 10 4' bulbs in the Gun Room. It is 40x14 with 10 foot ceilings. I hardly ever turn on more than 1/2. As @Have gun-will travel said mine have been done for some time going the conversion route. The main advantage I was looking for was Zero heat. When all the bulbs were HO Flourescent you could Feel the heat in the room. This was partially cause because it took All of them being on to really light the room....No More.....the LEDs can be Too bright.
 
The fluorescent lamps have a higher Lumen output but they are omnidirectional, the LED's have lower Lumen rating but they shine downwards.
I put a dozen 4' dual lamp fixtures in my garage in 1990, Deputy came by and she must have thought I was gong to grow weed! Wife chased her away, she sure was purdy. I run T8' in them now with new ballasts I got on a clearance deal with $1 lamps. When they go I'll go LED fixtures.
 
I have done a ton of commercial retrofits. The bulb with ballast setup is easy, but you are stuck with a ballast, and only some types work without harming the lamp (rapid start, instant start etc) so be careful. Removing the ballasts brings up the question of the electrical rating and listing of the tombstones. It sounds like no big deal but if the tombstones are not UL or other party listed for the new voltage and current, and you (God forbid) have a fire, your insurance company could deny coverage, believe it or not.

For these reasons, unless it is impossible to do so, I wound up replacing the entire fixture with a new one that is listed and designed for LED lamps.
 
8475449B-3CD3-44B3-9E16-762E7F94286D.jpeg


My wife had the day off today so I asked her to run by Lowes and pick up some of the conversion kits. What she came back with were the plug and play bulbs. Hey, at least she was looking out for me and said that I wouldn’t have to mess with the wiring!

The difference is unbelievable. If you’re on the fence about going to LED for some reason, I wouldn’t hesitate! The photo shows old versus new.
 
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Bezep1 said:
Removing the ballasts brings up the question of the electrical rating and listing of the tombstones. It sounds like no big deal but if the tombstones are not UL or other party listed for the new voltage and current, and you (God forbid) have a fire, your insurance company could deny coverage, believe it or not.
Click to expand...
Excellent point...

Is a significant change in voltage or current for the tombstones?


Found this...

Cree recalls the T8 tube LED due to fire hazard​


...and this:

Shunted sockets must be replaced with a non-shunted type for the ballast bypass single end live power LED retrofit lamp to operate properly.
 
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At Home Depot we had a recall on early Philips models, they quit working.
 
didn't read all the comments

Buy Ballast free LED lights

take ballast out

wire per picture I found on web

reassemble light

flip switch to on
 
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