rweaver
Well-known member
Can you convert t-12 to led hate to throw them out there only a few years old
4 ft t-12 to led
- Thread starter rweaver
- Start date
If they're just the cheap "shop light" style that come with a cord from the box stores, then just pitch them. They weren't very good to start with.
If they're decent quality then it might be worth it. There are lamps that will work with existing fluorescent fixtures. Some require a ballast, usually T8, or there are some that you wire line voltage to the sockets. I don't really like wiring line voltage to the sockets, they weren't really made for that, and not to mention what will happen if someone put a fluorescent lamp back in it.
If they're decent quality then it might be worth it. There are lamps that will work with existing fluorescent fixtures. Some require a ballast, usually T8, or there are some that you wire line voltage to the sockets. I don't really like wiring line voltage to the sockets, they weren't really made for that, and not to mention what will happen if someone put a fluorescent lamp back in it.
dontlifttoshift
Well-known member
What would happen? asking for a friend.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
WAAAY wrong...
Depending on ballast type, they typically put out approximately 500-600 volts to initiate the arc in the tubes for a second or so, then the bulbs are almost a dead short and the ballast acts as a current limiter.
Putting a fluorescent bulb into a fixture converted to line voltage at the tombstones for LEDs would most likely end up with the bulb not doing anything.
Tommy
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The high voltage is applied across the tube, the voltage varies depending on the lamps and type of ballast.
The filaments are located in each end of the tube and are connected between the two pins on the end of the tube. They do not operate off high voltage but have something have 4 or 5 volts across them. In a typical rapid start set up the filaments heat the gas in the tube until the high voltage is able to start an arc across the tube. This is the orange glow you sometimes see if a lamp doesn't start right away.
Instant start ballast do not heat the filaments, they use an higher voltage to strike an arc on the cold lamps, but most lamps still have filaments in them.
When you rewire a light for LED tubes, you wire line voltage to the two pins on one end of the lamp that would have connected to the filament.
Back on topic there are a myriad of 4' led replacement tubes that can be brought up with a quick search.
Here is some that I have used http://keystonetech.com/all-products/linear-led-tubes/direct-drive-led-t8/ You should look at the 18 or 22w.
The filaments are located in each end of the tube and are connected between the two pins on the end of the tube. They do not operate off high voltage but have something have 4 or 5 volts across them. In a typical rapid start set up the filaments heat the gas in the tube until the high voltage is able to start an arc across the tube. This is the orange glow you sometimes see if a lamp doesn't start right away.
Instant start ballast do not heat the filaments, they use an higher voltage to strike an arc on the cold lamps, but most lamps still have filaments in them.
When you rewire a light for LED tubes, you wire line voltage to the two pins on one end of the lamp that would have connected to the filament.
Back on topic there are a myriad of 4' led replacement tubes that can be brought up with a quick search.
Here is some that I have used http://keystonetech.com/all-products/linear-led-tubes/direct-drive-led-t8/ You should look at the 18 or 22w.
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Check into Optilumen retrofit kits. I was just talking with the electric supply house the other day and they have a setup with two two foot LED strips and a driver that comes in a kit to replace the four footers.
I have replaced my 8 foot t8s with another version of that setup and LOVE them. Can't wait to get my other ten sets replaced.
I have replaced my 8 foot t8s with another version of that setup and LOVE them. Can't wait to get my other ten sets replaced.