Can I convert T5 fixtures to LED?

[jimy]

I need lighting for my new garage and can get used 8' T5 fixtures for cheap/free. These use 4, 4ft tubes.

I plan to remove the ballast. Will the tombstones need replaced as well? Anything different or problematic doing this? Most of what I see online pertains to T8 conversions. Is a different LED tube required for a converted T5 than it would for a converted T8? I'm thinking they are regular T5, not T5HO - but I'm really just guessing on that.

Pics of fixtures below...

Jim

 

[Showkey]

You might find LED bulbs cost the same as a quality LED fixture ? So research the alternatives before jumping in ?

 

[Gator-J]

When I converted all my T8's over to LED i bought from here. Looks like they have T5 as well.

T5 LED Tube Lights - Fluorescent Tube Replacements | 1000Bulbs.com

Searching for T5 LED tube lights? 1000Bulbs.com has great deals on a wide selection of T5 LED bulbs including F54T5 high output replacement bulbs. Buy today to save.

www.1000bulbs.com

 

[infinkc]

You need to buy ballast bypass bulbs. Same tombstones, most only wire to one side of them.

 

[Innovate1]

T12 and T8 use the same size sockets but from what I can find T5 use smaller. So T8 LED replacements can be used in T8 or T12 fixtures. The ballast, high output, etc doesn't matter if you use ballast bypass bulbs, which is the only way I would do LED conversion - you don't have to worry about ballast compatibility or the ballast going bad that way. I like being able to replace just the bulb when the LEDs go out - and they will go out at some time so even for the same cost I would reuse the old fixtures rather than buying new that don't have replaceable bulbs. No experience with T5s but you might be able to put T8 tombstones on the fixtures and use T8 LED bulbs.

 

[Zeke]

No you don't need to change the lamp holders (tombstones) but you have to buy T5 lamps as the pin distance is smaller. You will pay enough more in cost for T5's to warrant thinking about buying new T8 fixtures complete.

 

[Innovate1]

No you don't need to change the lamp holders (tombstones) but you have to buy T5 lamps as the pin distance is smaller. You will pay enough more in cost for T5's to warrant thinking about buying new T8 fixtures complete.

You don't need to but it may be an option if the T5 bulbs are enough more. Or just buy T8 fixtures. The ones set up without ballast for LED bulbs are pretty cheap.

 

[jimy]

Thanks for the good advise.

I guess the question that remains for me is: Are the tombstones in my photo actually T5 or are they something else? When I google for T5 tombstones I don't see anything exactly like what is in my photo.

The draw here is the fixtures are being sold for $1 each and supposedly good bulbs are also $1 each. One would be tempted to buy extra bulbs and fixtures and have decent light for little money. I really don't think I will do that though - really want LED. And I want lights that work well in the cold.

Jim

 

[dogdog]

why not see if you can just get a T8 sized tombstone ? They were cheap.

 

[Bert_]

Those look like t8 fixtures / sockets to me. The sockets look to big to be t5

 

[American Locomotive]

Are you sure those are T5 fixtures? They look like normal T8/T12 fixtures. I have also never seen 8 foot T5 fixtures, nor have I seen open T5 fixtures. The vast majority of T5 fixtures I've seen are 4 foot fixtures with high-efficiency specular (polished) reflectors.

I'm not saying 8 foot open T5 fixtures don't exist - just that I've never seen them.

 

[sparky 1971]

T5 led tubes are made, but the supplier i get my lamps from claim they are junk so I've never used them. The rep told me they carry five brands are having a high failure rate with four of them. The fifth line isn't failing, but the heat sinks are so big the lamps won't fit in all fixtures. This was at least three years ago so technology may have changed and they have it figured out now.

That being said, I think those are T8 fixtures in the photo.

 

[Bert_]

Are you sure those are T5 fixtures? They look like normal T8/T12 fixtures. I have also never seen 8 foot T5 fixtures, nor have I seen open T5 fixtures. The vast majority of T5 fixtures I've seen are 4 foot fixtures with high-efficiency specular (polished) reflectors.

I'm not saying 8 foot open T5 fixtures don't exist - just that I've never seen them.

They are made. Usually have a narrower housing than normal. Not a real common thing since strips are good for low-medium ceilings and T5's have glare when mounted low.

 

[cybrdyke]

I need lighting for my new garage and can get used 8' T5 fixtures for cheap/free. These use 4, 4ft tubes.

I plan to remove the ballast. Will the tombstones need replaced as well? Anything different or problematic doing this? Most of what I see online pertains to T8 conversions. Is a different LED tube required for a converted T5 than it would for a converted T8? I'm thinking they are regular T5, not T5HO - but I'm really just guessing on that.

Pics of fixtures below...

Jim

Let's clear a few things up...
T5, T5HO and T8 sockets come in many varieties and can all "look" the same, so being able to tell which is which from a picture is not likely. If you really want to know, get us a picture of the ballast label.
Standard T5 and T5HO lamps use the same sockets (mini bi-pin) and are 46.5" long.
T8 and T12 lamps use the same sockets (medium bi-pin)and are 48" long.
IF these area T5 or T5HO fixtures and you bypass the ballast to install T5HO LED tubes, you will not need to replace the sockets.
You can get good quality T5HO tubes for around $12-ish dollars. Standard T5 LED tubes are a little harder to find.
T5HO LED tubes are a solid product and are extremely popular. Millions are being sold. They're made of glass and heat is not an issue.
T5HO LED tubes are extremely bright, about 50% brighter than T8 tubes. At low ceiling heights, they can be quite harsh.
You dont normally see T5HO in this type of fixture, but they are made. That's why the guys are guessing that they're T8.
Good luck,
CD

 

[yatg]

T5 uses G5 sockets, 5mm pin spacing, about 1/4"
T8 and T12 use G13 sockets, 1/2" pin spacing
just measure across the pin circle of the tombstone to confirm what you have