Fixture input.

[socapots]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-renovation-electrical/winnipeg/25-347v-lights/1336453711?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

i don't know what i will be using as yet for lighting in my garage. But i am curious about something.

Would buying something like this and some LED tubes make sense from a cost point of view.
I know it would be more work to bypass all the ballasts.
It makes me wonder why on one hand you can buy a fixture with led tubes at the store for hundreds. But on the other hand use an old fixture and re-wire (not even in all cases from what i have seen) and stick Led tubes in it.

How many of you guys have converted stuff you had on hand, or purchased to convert.
Happy with your decisions??

 

[ForceFed70]

They're so cheap they're almost free.

Retrofit tubes are a compromise. Performance isn't as good, more work for you to install, etc.

Those fixtures are T5. Most retrofit tubes I've seen come in T8 or T12 footprint. Can you even find a T5 retrofit?

Personally, I'd avoid it but everyone's situation is different. My best reccomendation - compare costs and reviews for LED tubes and fixtures out there. That'll tell you how much you may save - only you can decide if it's worth it.

 

[cybrdyke]

All you need is T5HO LED tubes, Type A, to put in those fixtures. No need to bypass the ballasts. Look for Philips #467159. They are system certified to run with those ballasts. Easy peasy.
Good luck,
CD

 

[socapots]

I keep thinking cheap. But i think the extra work that would be involved may take that away.
Id have to go without the ballasts because they are 347V, i don't think it would be advantageous to get a step up transformer to use them.

a quick search on those bulbs mentioned shows them at 20ish USD each. plus the fixture. only puts me at around 70 a fixture. Im certainly not going to jump at it. But when i see something that i feel is cheap i really wanna buy.. lol.

 

[cybrdyke]

I keep thinking cheap. But i think the extra work that would be involved may take that away.
Id have to go without the ballasts because they are 347V, i don't think it would be advantageous to get a step up transformer to use them.

a quick search on those bulbs mentioned shows them at 20ish USD each. plus the fixture. only puts me at around 70 a fixture. Im certainly not going to jump at it. But when i see something that i feel is cheap i really wanna buy.. lol.

Ah. I assumed you already had 347v.
In that case, yes, you can bypass the ballasts, and use Type B LED tubes..
Still easy, just a few snips and a few wire nuts...
CD

 

[Platonic Solid]

You need 20 ~8000 lumen fixtures as posted in the other thread (link).
$25 ea. x 20 = $500
80 Bulbs @ ~$10 ea. = $800
Total = $1300

I'd spend a few extra $ and get these (link)

$74.20 ea. x 20 = $1484

Yeah, I know you're in Canada, so my link isn't of much use other than for lumen output and fixture type (unless LED Lighting Wholesale ships to Canada at a reasonable cost).