T12 to led retrofit

[bochnak]

I have two 4 bulb T12 fixtures (got for FREE) that I want to hang. I could hang as is, however they are not as bright as my current T8's, which only have 2 bulbs and a nice shiny reflector.

I'm thinking of retrofitting 2 LED tubes per fixture. Anybody done something similar? Tubes that you would recommend?

 

[cybrdyke]

You have 2 options to retrofit those.
1. Bypass the ballast, bring the black & white down to the sockets to make them hot. Install new bypass-type LED tubes. You can get them at a local electrical supply house or online. Most of these will be brands you never heard of before.
2. Replace the ballast with a new T8 ballast and install new ballast-ready type LED tubes. You can also get those at a local electrical supply house or online. Name brand manufacturers include Philips, Cree, GE.
Good luck
CD

 

[Rookie2]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4757352#post4757352

 

[bochnak]

Thanks for the replies.

I decided to retrofit them to T8. Bought new ballasts and shunted sockets:

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/154095/CL-50398899PK.html

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/54091/BS-QT4X32120IS.html


I made the mistake of buying cheap T8 bulbs for my current fixtures. So I will be buying a case of 30 bulbs soon.

 

[cybrdyke]

You can get T8 lamps that are a little brighter than normal T8 lamps, if you want. Look for a 3000 or 3100 lumen lamp. It will work on the same ballasts.

 

[bochnak]

You can get T8 lamps that are a little brighter than normal T8 lamps, if you want. Look for a 3000 or 3100 lumen lamp. It will work on the same ballasts.

Yes, I will look into that. I bought units with .88 ballast factor. I could have payed double for 1.18 factor, which increases output.

 

[cybrdyke]

Yes, I will look into that. I bought units with .88 ballast factor. I could have payed double for 1.18 factor, which increases output.

.88 is standard for ballast factor. Couple those ballasts with the 3000 lumen T8 lamp and you've got a really nice, efficient system.
1.18 ballasts are normally used for really high ceilings or places with too few fixtures.
CD

 

[bochnak]

.88 is standard for ballast factor. Couple those ballasts with the 3000 lumen T8 lamp and you've got a really nice, efficient system.
1.18 ballasts are normally used for really high ceilings or places with too few fixtures.
CD

What are your thoughts on these bulbs:

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/90207/USH-3000524.html

 

[cybrdyke]

What are your thoughts on these bulbs:

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/90207/USH-3000524.html

I prefer name brands, Philips, GE, Sylvania...they all make this same lamp.
But, yeah, this is the high lumen version of a 32w lamp. It will give you a little more light than a standard 2900 lumen version.
CD