Fluorescent to LED issues

[jshailor1871]

Hello all,

I recently had a t12 4' fluorescent bulb burn out in my shop light and decided to buy a plug and play phillips replacement set from HD.

I popped the new LED bulbs in and they crackled/clicked for about 30 seconds then went out. Flipping the switch on and off didn't seem to help at all.

One bulb was kind of bright, the other was very very dim before they both went out.

Did I do something wrong? I'll attach a pic of my ballast.

Thanks,

John



Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[The Cobbler]

ballast is bad?
are you sure you bought ballast compatible bulbs?

 

[jshailor1871]

I took a different set of fluorescent bulbs from another light fixture and put them into the one that had the LEDs in it and they both lit up just like normal, so I don't think it's the ballast.

These are the lights I bought:


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips...t-Bulb-Daylight-5000K-2-Pack-539163/308350356


It says they fit with any electric or magnetic ballast, so that's what I went off of.

Thanks,

John


Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[Wrench97]

If they are the same ones I looked at at Home Depot the reviews said they worked about 40% of the time.

 

[pattenp]

Your ballast are not listed as being compatible. See compatible ballast list link on HD web page.

Description says fits most, not any.

 

[jshailor1871]

Your ballast are not listed as being compatible. See compatible ballast list link on HD web page.

Description says fits most, not any.

Dang it!

Good catch, I found the PDF and sure enough it's not compatible.

Thanks for the assistance everyone. I'll have to find bulbs that work with my ballast.


John

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[pattenp]

Get ballast bypass led.

 

[jshailor1871]

Get ballast bypass led.

Is that a bulb style, or do I have to remove the ballast and re-wire the light fixture?


Thanks,

John

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[ScaldedDog]

They are bulbs intended to be direct wired. I'll second the recommendation, as the ballast will eventually die, and then you'll be doing this project again.

Cutting out the ballast and direct wiring the bulbs is easy. The Toggled brand bulbs come with everything you need.

Now's a good to to change your color temp, if you're so inclined.

Mark

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[jshailor1871]

They are bulbs intended to be direct wired. I'll second the recommendation, as the ballast will eventually die, and then you'll be doing this project again.

Cutting out the ballast and direct wiring the bulbs is easy. The Toggled brand bulbs come with everything you need.

Now's a good to to change your color temp, if you're so inclined.

Mark

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

I see what you're saying. Thanks to everyone for the useful info. I'll head back to home depot and get the right stuff!

Thanks for everything,

John

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[isb cornbinder]

I made the change. No regrets. Buy the 100 volt compatible lights.
Hyperikon® T8/

 

[shephd]

I just did the Halco led ballast bypass bulbs in one fixture today. Super easy to do and bright. One of the bulbs might be spinning in the fixture; have to see how it goes.

 

[BD1]

I bought complete 4' LED shop light fixture at Costco for $20.00. Great for the money.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pattenp]

I've never seen the ballast bypass type led lamps available at the big box stores. I got mine over the internet.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I got my LED lighting on AMAZON. Amazon had the best price, that day. Delivery was 48 hours.

 

[jshailor1871]

I ended up buying the Toggled brand from Home depot last night. I removed the ballasts and installed the bulbs and wires as instructed and they work great.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, I love this forum!

Thanks again!

John

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[coljar]

I was in Lowes yesterday and they had 10 packs of GE 48" LED ballast by-pass 5000K bulbs on clearance for $27.99. I bought a couple boxes. Just putting that out there.

 

[Innovate1]

I was in Lowes yesterday and they had 10 packs of GE 48" LED ballast by-pass 5000K bulbs on clearance for $27.99. I bought a couple boxes. Just putting that out there.

Wow! That's a good price. Color temp is 6500K which is quite blue but might grab a pack if the store still has them when I get there. If anyone is looking the item number is 1608293. I didn't find the 5000k bulbs which would be my preference.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, A lot of supposedly universal things that are usually almost but not always.

 

[Will S.]

I was in Lowes yesterday and they had 10 packs of GE 48" LED ballast by-pass 5000K bulbs on clearance for $27.99. I bought a couple boxes. Just putting that out there.

Would you post the SKU# ? edit; Never mind; missed the post that had the sku. Will check if they still have them.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Is that a bulb style, or do I have to remove the ballast and re-wire the light fixture?


Thanks,

John

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

Yes.

 

[Innovate1]

The sku I posted was for 6500k bulbs. Coljar found a deal on 5000k bulbs. I would like to have the sku for the 5000k bulbs. I am thinking they are probably sold out at most stores but worth checking...

 

[pattenp]

The Lowe's sku for the 5000k is 1608294. Not on clearance.

 

[Innovate1]

I was in Lowes yesterday and they had 10 packs of GE 48" LED ballast by-pass 5000K bulbs on clearance for $27.99. I bought a couple boxes. Just putting that out there.

You sure those were 5000k bulbs? It looks like only the 6500k bulbs were on clearance. Maybe you got the clearance price by mistake..

 

[coljar]

You sure those were 5000k bulbs? It looks like only the 6500k bulbs were on clearance. Maybe you got the clearance price by mistake..

Yes, they are 5000K. I just got back from getting another 2 cases of them. The SU# is 1608293 on both receipts. I'll post a pic when I'm back to the shop.

 

[pattenp]

That sku 1608293 comes up as 6500k.

 

[coljar]

[/url][/IMG]

[/url][/IMG]

Yes, I think they had something messed up with the SU#. This was the same for both receipts for two different days.

My apologies to the OP for getting off task.

 

[ctgoodman]

Do yourself a big favor and get rid of that ballast and go with direct wire bulbs. It’s only a matter of time before the ballast starts giving you issues. Best to ditch that thing now.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[jshailor1871]

Do yourself a big favor and get rid of that ballast and go with direct wire bulbs. It’s only a matter of time before the ballast starts giving you issues. Best to ditch that thing now.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I did, and I'm happy I did. Those things are heavy and inneficient. Glad I made the switch.


Thanks!


John

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[CJ7VFR]

I've never seen the ballast bypass type led lamps available at the big box stores. I got mine over the internet.

Both Lowes and Home Depot have several types of direct wire/ballast bypass LED tubes available in all the stores around me in New Jersey.

I have even seen them in Costco, along with the ones that are just the replacement LED bulbs that you have to keep the ballast.

Odd that the big box stores near you don't have any direct wire LED tubes.

Jim

 

[CJ7VFR]

Yes, they are 5000K. I just got back from getting another 2 cases of them. The SU# is 1608293 on both receipts. I'll post a pic when I'm back to the shop.

I just checked all the local Lowes stores around me, and depending on what zip code the store is in, the price is different!

The stores located in towns with fewer people in them have higher prices than the stores in larger city type areas. I see prices ranging from $27.99 all the way up to $69.99 for the same Led direct wire tubes.

That ***** because I would have to drive over an hour to get the better prices because I live out in the country.

Jim

 

[pattenp]

Both Lowes and Home Depot have several types of direct wire/ballast bypass LED tubes available in all the stores around me in New Jersey.

I have even seen them in Costco, along with the ones that are just the replacement LED bulbs that you have to keep the ballast.

Odd that the big box stores near you don't have any direct wire LED tubes.

Jim

To clarify it was a couple of months ago when I looked at Lowes and HD for bypass LED tubes and all they carried was the direct replacement type. I see my local Lowes does now carry the bypass LED tubes, don't know about HD.

 

[johnnyradiant]

If it only says for F40T12 or any other xxT12 it won't work for a LED. If it is rated for a xxT8 odds are you don't need to look at a chart. The LED ballast driven tubes need electronic ballasts.

If your putting in direct wire LED's in an inspected job you may (depending on jurisdiction and/or inspector) be required to slap some stickers on the fixture indicating it is line voltage as opposed to a ballast wired fixture.