Led Replacement for 8' flourescent

[Robbie13]

I have been searching the web for replacement tubes/fixtures for my existing 8 8' double tube fluorescent light fixtures in my shop. I want to replace them with LED's. I've seen you bypass the ballast etc. The one's currently installed have the one single "******" on both ends. The one's I've seen on the web are mostly 4' and crazy expensive. I'm not opposed to replacing the current fixtures as needed. When I built this shop I bought the fixtures and have replaced several ballast since then. Time to move on. I realize they are more expensive but was just hoping someone else has done this and found the lowest price.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Price and availability fluctuates daily, so my response is only valid at time of posting. Shipping costs for 8ft LED tubes is expensive so 4ft is probably cheaper. Best buy I know of right now:

$38 ea. w/free shipping 8ft 4-Lamp hsg:
http://www.shineretrofits.com/us-en...-ready-8-foot-4-lamp-strip-light-housing.html

or

$18 ea. w/free shipping retrofit kit (you'll have to figure out if this works for your housings and which wiring configuration you'll need with below lamps):
http://www.shineretrofits.com/us-en...ired-strip-retrofit-kit-for-led-t8-tubes.html

$10.99 ea. (no min. Qty. case purchase requirement) 4' 18W James ZY-T8-18W1200-BINS-50K LED Lamp (that part number should actually be "BINT", but they clearly state it's the proper G13 base):
http://www.beeslighting.com/product-p/zy-t8-18w1200-bins-50k.htm

 

[cybrdyke]

Robbie, look for something called a "tandem kit". Your local electrical supply or lighting supply might have them in stock. It will transform your 2 x 8' fixture into a 4 x 4' fixture. They are cheap and easy. Once installed, you can use whatever 4' tubes you want to.
Good luck
CD

 

[Platonic Solid]

Robbie, look for something called a "tandem kit". Your local electrical supply or lighting supply might have them in stock. It will transform your 2 x 8' fixture into a 4 x 4' fixture. They are cheap and easy. Once installed, you can use whatever 4' tubes you want to.
Good luck
CD

That's what the $18 retrofit kit link is.

 

[akdiesel]

I was in the same scenario. I have 9 8' double T12 lights in my shop.
I searched for the 8' led replacement and shipping and original costs are ridiculous.
I found some 42" "commercial" led lights at Lowes (I am blank on the brand). I believe they were around 4000 lumens each and I think the 8' T12 bulbs are around 3000 lumens each.
So Two 42" led lights come out brighter on paper then two 8' T12 bulbs.
The lights were around $70 each. So I bought two to try out next to my other lights.
They are brighter. No humming noise and mount closer to the ceiling. I now have 6 led lights in one bay (replacing 3 double 8' T12 lights).
They might be a bit more expensive but I wanted Brighter, no noise, closer to the ceiling or in the ceiling.

 

[Robbie13]

Thanks for the replies guys. I did see the 4' ones at Lowes. They were on next to the flourescents. Much brighter. After I posted this, I did manage to find some online that were 8' but holy smokes were they high! I will probably just wait to mine go out and replace them as needed.

 

[Robbie13]

Ok, guys. Bit the bullet. Ordered 16 8' LED tubes from Hyperikon off of Amazon. Pricey, yes. When they arrive I have to take out/bypass the ballasts. No big deal. They are suppose to arrive Tuesday. Will report back. My wife bought me an automatic garage door opener for my birthday for my shop. I had already run the wiring for it. Was installed yesterday. 8 years of getting out of my truck and putting the door up and down. I don't know how to act now! Anyway installed 22 year LED bulbs in the opener, I will be dead (supposedly when they need replacement) her boyfriend or next hubby can do that. Also replaced my metal halide security light on the front of my shop with LED today. On a kick now. Can't get the link to work on here for some reason. Amazon and Hyperikon. And for what's worth, in the 8 year life span of my shop, the ballasts themselves were more expensive than the whole complete light fixture with the ballast included. I have no doubt the original fixtures came with the cheapest ballasts to be had. Anyway, will see how this goes.

 

[Robbie13]

For those interested: Received the LED's today. 16 total. Removed the old ballasts and wired hot on one end neutral on the other. I have 8 old fixtures with 2 tubes apiece. Holy smokes! The light is so much more crisp. And at half the electric bill. One of the tubes only lit half. Called them. A new one on the way without having to return the bad one. The woman I spoke with was awesome. Very friendly and apologetic for the one that didn't function correctly. Great company if you are considering LED's. Just wanted to let everyone know.

 

[Sharpest]

I have been very seriously eyeballing those exact replacements for my eight 8' double bulb fixtures. ~$154 for four right? I would rather put the LEDs in instead of messing with replacing ballasts.

 

[Robbie13]

I have been very seriously eyeballing those exact replacements for my eight 8' double bulb fixtures. ~$154 for four right? I would rather put the LEDs in instead of messing with replacing ballasts.

Yes, that's right. I will say that these are more directional for lack of a better term since the lights themselves are on the bottom half of the tubes. I am still turning them somewhat to direct the light more at an angle than shining straight down. I was in the same boat. Got tired of paying $40 for a ballast that was more than the cost of an entire new light fixture.

 

[BAndritsch]

I've been going through the same problem, all six of my 8' fixtures have pretty much died. Couldn't afford the LED conversion and hadn't found a system I could build myself for a reasonable price. Then Eureka! I found 11 new commercial brand electronic T12 ballasts for $1.50 ea. at my favorite place to shop-state surplus! Major score,$18.64 for all. Now to find a deal on new tubes.
Bill

 

[BgBmBoo]

Good snag! I would love to find a deal like that. I have 6 8' fixtures myself that are on the way out. Not sure if they will survive another winter. The LED conversion would be nice, but it is pricy! Still searching for a good ballast to put in them.

 

[Robbie13]

Good snag! I would love to find a deal like that. I have 6 8' fixtures myself that are on the way out. Not sure if they will survive another winter. The LED conversion would be nice, but it is pricy! Still searching for a good ballast to put in them.

Seems the original ballast that came with my lights were kinda iffy. I had replaced half of them already at 40 bucks a pop. Not counting tube replacement. These LEDs are suppose to last a long time. Will see. At least now without the ballast I won't have to take the fixtures apart and deal with that. And burning half the electricity. I spend a lot time out here so that's a plus.

 

[Sharpest]

Yes, that's right. I will say that these are more directional for lack of a better term since the lights themselves are on the bottom half of the tubes. I am still turning them somewhat to direct the light more at an angle than shining straight down. I was in the same boat. Got tired of paying $40 for a ballast that was more than the cost of an entire new light fixture.

Mine are mounted on a 10' ceiling and don't have shrouds so directional is a good thing for me.

 

[BAndritsch]

I was pretty excited to find them, didn't have any luck finding an affordable replacement and have been using 200w light bulbs I got from State -Surplus. $2 for a whole case but they do **** the power.
Bill

 

[Robbie13]

Mine are mounted on a 10' ceiling and don't have shrouds so directional is a good thing for me.

Yep, my shop is a 10' ceiling as well. No shrouds on mine either.

 

[AHotRod]

So, how BIG a difference is there in the overall brightness in your shop?

 

[motofool33]

no before and after pics, shame on you!

 

[bob15]

Was wondering about an update......How are the bulbs working? I have 20, 96" bulbs that I would like to change in the near future.