Spaggs
Well-known member
I'm going to change out my 4' fluorescent bulbs with LED replacements. Has anybody done this? I have to take out the ballasts. Has anybody done this and can tell me how to do it?
Thanks.
Spaggs
Thanks.
Spaggs
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LED Replacement Bulbs?
- Thread starter Spaggs
- Start date
Falcon67
Well-known member
As far as wiring, the diagrams I looked at seem pretty simple - just cut the ballast wires, and hook 110V to one end of the bulb and the neutral to the other. You should have a wiring diagram or get one from the bulb supplier to be sure of the connections.
At $80+ plus a blub, don't think you'll get many answers. A quick ruff calc says to me that if the LED lasts 5 years, the savings still doesn't pay for the bulb. I wouldn't buy 'em, personally.
At $80+ plus a blub, don't think you'll get many answers. A quick ruff calc says to me that if the LED lasts 5 years, the savings still doesn't pay for the bulb. I wouldn't buy 'em, personally.
-JP
Well-known member
Don't do it. You will be sorry.
Those linear LED lamps ****.
Those linear LED lamps ****.
rsanter
Well-known member
we have some at work
you need to take the ballast out and then connest the LED driver and then install the LED tube
dont do it yet, they still have a way to go before they are worth it
bob
you need to take the ballast out and then connest the LED driver and then install the LED tube
dont do it yet, they still have a way to go before they are worth it
bob
ddawg16
Well-known member
That will be a pretty expensive change to save about 10%.....
The last time I did the esitmate, it would take about 20 years to get a payback......
I don't think LED's are there yet.....they are great for low voltage (12V)...but because of the higher voltage for typical 120V use, the additional electronics required to make them work reduces the reliability.....
The last time I did the esitmate, it would take about 20 years to get a payback......
I don't think LED's are there yet.....they are great for low voltage (12V)...but because of the higher voltage for typical 120V use, the additional electronics required to make them work reduces the reliability.....
veno
Well-known member
nope they dont.... still the cost is way over the manufacturing cost... LEDS are cheap.... but they are the rage in the market right now.. and they are selling at what the market will bear.....
the cost of LEDs is pennies...
the cost of LEDs is pennies...
Provided that the electronics that power them (the circuit boards and step-down transformers) don't burn out, LED's DO have an almost indefinite life-span...50,000-70,000 hours or more. One year, 24-7-365+=8760 hours. Do the math, that is 5 years, 9 months and a week for 50,000 hours and 7 years, 11 months 3 weeks and 5 days for 70,000 hours. Who in the hell is going to leave their lights on 24-7-365 for 6-8 years?
With that being said, now is NOT the time to buy LED replacement bulbs. Until ALL LED bulbs are equipped with the new circuit that prevents a single failure from making the unit useless, they are not worth the money spent on them. Think of LED bulbs like a string of Christmas lights...when one burns out, they all go out. With an LED bulb, they are soldered in series. So it's not simply a matter of replacing a single LED unit. As they are currently produced, LED's are a pain in the ***!!!
With that being said, now is NOT the time to buy LED replacement bulbs. Until ALL LED bulbs are equipped with the new circuit that prevents a single failure from making the unit useless, they are not worth the money spent on them. Think of LED bulbs like a string of Christmas lights...when one burns out, they all go out. With an LED bulb, they are soldered in series. So it's not simply a matter of replacing a single LED unit. As they are currently produced, LED's are a pain in the ***!!!
Thanks for the input. I plan on having this garage for the next 30yrs. If the bulbs will last that long, then wouldn't be worth it, or do you think they will go out before that. I was under the impression that they last for, like, forever.
Spaggs
I agree with the concensus now is not the time to buy LEDs. There are a lot of new developments on the horizon but I don't think I'd invest in them for another 3-5 years.
Just look at all of the CFLs that came out years ago - they had lower lumen output, they tended to burn up much sooner than modern CFLs, and they were uber expensive (I recall $15 for one bulb was not uncommon). Now a few years later the technology has improved to the point you can get a bulb for around $1 that will last a decade.
Put in new fluorescent bulbs and in a few years when you need to do it again, take a second look at LEDs to see where they are. You will end up saving yourself hundreds of dollars by simply waiting and letting others be the guinea pigs.
Just look at all of the CFLs that came out years ago - they had lower lumen output, they tended to burn up much sooner than modern CFLs, and they were uber expensive (I recall $15 for one bulb was not uncommon). Now a few years later the technology has improved to the point you can get a bulb for around $1 that will last a decade.
Put in new fluorescent bulbs and in a few years when you need to do it again, take a second look at LEDs to see where they are. You will end up saving yourself hundreds of dollars by simply waiting and letting others be the guinea pigs.
tcianci
Well-known member
Good info here, While LED technology had been around for years, the use of them in residential lighting is new and like any new application, even one of a mature technology, the early adopters will bear the brunt of all the costs associated with bringing the product to market. Look a the short list..CD players, VCR's Cell Phones, Calculators, and the latest example...Flat panel TV sets. We see the costs dropping like rocks every few months for those now. Also the use of LEDS as an illumination source as opposed to an indicator requires LEDS with much higher outputs. Those are relatively new although they operate on the same principle. My advice would be to install good commercial grade T-8 or T-5 florescent fixture.
malibu101
Well-known member
X2. We installed some in the boss's office for a test. I forget the maufacturer.we have some at work
you need to take the ballast out and then connest the LED driver and then install the LED tube
dont do it yet, they still have a way to go before they are worth it
bob
They were dimmer than F32T8's from the start and they turned to a dimmer green color after about a year.
We put the flourescents back in for him.
LED IS the future of lighting IMO. But like all technology, it's going to take a few years until it's more perfected and the price point gets lower.
rsanter
Well-known member
currently the state of the technology is improving by the month
if you wait a year or two you will get much better stuff for a whole lot less
I would wait a little longer
curently the best bang for the buck is the T8 high output
bob
if you wait a year or two you will get much better stuff for a whole lot less
I would wait a little longer
curently the best bang for the buck is the T8 high output
bob
thdewey
Well-known member
How about using LED lighting for task and accent lighting? I created a unique Jeep wall art with LED "headlights". I plan on using them for under cabinet lights in the garage, already do in the kitchen. You can just leave them all the time. They hardly use any power. Somewhere I saw recessed fixtures that used LEDs but again that wouldn't apply to a garage situation.
bimmer1980
Well-known member
guys, I work in an industry where we buy large LED displays (300 to 600 sq ft "tv" screens). The cost of LED's has come down significantly in the last few years. However, as others have stated, the LEDs for flourescent fixtures is still a new niche. We will see a lot more improvements and they work the bugs out. The white LEDs are one of the tougher LEDs to have a long life time. We buy product with red, blue and green LEDs. With those LED's, you can make any color. However, for lighting, a white LED would be better.
The new surface mount LEDs are going to help bring the cost down. Remember that LED's operate on DC electricity, so part of the system has to include a rectifier to convert AC to DC. the ballast would not work for the LED's. Flourescent have a start up voltage and current and then an operating voltage and current.
unless you want to be the "first" and have the money to pay for the new technology, I would recommend waiting......
The new surface mount LEDs are going to help bring the cost down. Remember that LED's operate on DC electricity, so part of the system has to include a rectifier to convert AC to DC. the ballast would not work for the LED's. Flourescent have a start up voltage and current and then an operating voltage and current.
unless you want to be the "first" and have the money to pay for the new technology, I would recommend waiting......
scooby074
Well-known member
LED is definitely the future. CFL will be the next incandescent. Mercury is only one of the reasons why CFL will be phased out. Matter of fact most CFL manufactures have stopped investing R&D money in CFL and moved it into LED.
However i would not change my florescent in my barn over to LED. Cost is just too great.
I do have one LED light, its a Phillips. I bought it not just to try out new technology, but because flying insects cant see LED light all that well. This light is mounted right outside the door and ive noticed a marked reduction in annoying bugs buzzing around.
Crouse Hinds has just launched LED lights for industry, http://www.crouse-hinds.com/crousehinds/newproducts/newproducts.cfm?id=276&action=view&CompanyID=1plus other manufacturers have already begun making LED streetlights. LED technology is where were heading.
However i would not change my florescent in my barn over to LED. Cost is just too great.
I do have one LED light, its a Phillips. I bought it not just to try out new technology, but because flying insects cant see LED light all that well. This light is mounted right outside the door and ive noticed a marked reduction in annoying bugs buzzing around.
Crouse Hinds has just launched LED lights for industry, http://www.crouse-hinds.com/crousehinds/newproducts/newproducts.cfm?id=276&action=view&CompanyID=1plus other manufacturers have already begun making LED streetlights. LED technology is where were heading.
Tech Guy
Well-known member
I was looking at LED replacements for incadsencts the other night. They are selling around $20.00 CAN for one bulb. Similar to when Compact Fl came out. I think I will wait unitl the novelty wears off and the price drops.
FANTASY FACTORY
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2009
- Messages
- 55
Unless you are turning your shop into a haunted mansion for the kids, don't waste your dime on LED's . after a recent trade show an "expert" convinced my boss that this is the way to go, I laughed and challenged him to prove it out, install 1 aisle in our underground parking and let us compare,
went from 75 ft candles to 30 ft candles, get ya **** out of my building and loose our ph #!, I upgraded by going from f-32 t8. to f96 t12 vho, and put in 1/2 as many. if you want to keep the 4 footers, change from warm or cool white to daylights. with elec ballasts. there is NOT a lot of money to save in apps under 25,000 sg. ft. I would rather pay to see.
went from 75 ft candles to 30 ft candles, get ya **** out of my building and loose our ph #!, I upgraded by going from f-32 t8. to f96 t12 vho, and put in 1/2 as many. if you want to keep the 4 footers, change from warm or cool white to daylights. with elec ballasts. there is NOT a lot of money to save in apps under 25,000 sg. ft. I would rather pay to see.