Fluorescent tubes emit light around 360 degrees, while the LED replacements have most of the light oriented over 180 degrees. That can often make the lumens output not seem to compare well, when actually the LED may appear brighter in real life.
The no-ballast lights may be a good choice, however they're not readily available in stores by me. That's why I went with these
Why do you find yourself replacing ballasts? Are you using the wrong bulbs, or have some electrical issues?
I bought these to use in several old 2 bulb fixtures I had laying around. Real easy to bypass the ballast. In fact I removed them all together. Bought 8 bulbs a few weeks before Christmas. I was impressed with the brightness and I intend on buying some more this spring
BOC
Thanks. do these require ballasts?
I'd go for these: 5000K with Frosted Lens (for your comfort)
Greentek Energy Systems GT-T8-18W1200 BIXX(5000K)(3000K) 48" 18W LED T8
2520 Lumens per bulb, 120° Beam Angle
Universal Ballast Compatible / Ballast Bypass via Single End or Opposing End Wired
5000K or 3000K - 120-277V - 140 Lumens/Watt - Frosted Lens - Extruded Aluminum Body
$7.99 ea. (link) - no minimum - Free Shipping $99
On paper, that looks like a great choice. But every single time I've bought an LED light online based on the paper statistics, I've been burned. Usually by premature failure, due to piss poor power supply design that either fails, or even worse, starts flickering.
That's why I have a strict policy now of only buying LED lights from name brands that I can get in stores locally and exchange when they fail after a few months.
I'd go for these: 5000K with Frosted Lens (for your comfort)
Thanks for the great info. I see a lot of references to "frosted". I wish the ones in my office were frosted LOL!
However, in my shop, do you still suggest frosted? I want a lot of light
Fluorescent tubes emit light around 360 degrees, while the LED replacements have most of the light oriented over 180 degrees. That can often make the lumens output not seem to compare well, when actually the LED may appear brighter in real life.
rlitman, thanks for all of your great input. Do you have any suggested bulbs, available locally, that do not use ballasts?
Unfortunately I’ve never seen any.
Thanks. These provided by Arkansas COB like like the cat's ***. $31 on Amazon Prime. I think I'll try a 4 pack. I have one 4 bulb fixture with a burnt out ballast that would make for a good test case.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074M8X8CV/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Thanks. These provided by Arkansas COB like like the cat's ***. $31 on Amazon Prime. I think I'll try a 4 pack. I have one 4 bulb fixture with a burnt out ballast that would make for a good test case.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074M8X8CV/?tag=atomicindus08-20
If possible, just replace the whole fixture. Hard to bet the $20 Feit 2 bulb fixture at Costco.
Off brand, clear lens, not listed and it's not even that cheap. What IS there to like about it.
Good point.
Hey as Ross Perot says, “I’m all ears”. Would love to have more suggestions.
Are frosted bulbs better? Even for a shop and garage?
Are frosted bulbs better? Even for a shop and garage?
If the lamps are visible get frosted. The clear will leave you seeing a line of spots from the individual diodes.
Frosted is almost a requirement no matter the location. The clear ones might be acceptable with a high enough mounting height but even then the glare is horrible.
As far as suggestions there are several in the best fixture sticky.
Out of the lamps I have personally seen or installed the ones. I have been most happy with the Universal brand T8LACD4F17/840 lamps. They are frosted glass and the light is very even, you can't tell where the individual diodes are. They also have a bit wider beam angle so the ceiling gets some light, keeping it from looking like a cave. I think my price for about 150 lamps was 6.50 a piece when I ordered some a month or so ago.
Thanks Bert. I tried to google that pn along with a search on Amazon and ebay with no luck. Just a couple of questions:
1. Are those for converting fluorescent fixtures to LED?
2. Ballast eliminated?
3. If yes and yes, where to find, please?
p.s. I did take a look at the est fixture sticky. When I have a week or two to spare, I’ll try to read through it LOL.
Thanks,
Mike
If possible, just replace the whole fixture. Hard to bet the $20 Feit 2 bulb fixture at Costco.
For Bulb recommendations see post #1 of Best Light Fixture sticky. Not sure why I bother. I post a recommendation, you ignore it and jump onto Amazon to find ****.
What makes you think I ignored the sticky? That’s actually the very first post I looked at. A lot can happen in the world of home electrical products between 2015 and 2019. I did not jump on Amazon first. I posted this new thread and then looked around based on responses.
Thanks for the good info you posted in thread 1. I will check those out.
Scroll down to the bottom of the first post on the sticky he pointed you to and you will see "Last edited by Platonic Solid; 08-02-2018". Seems to be that it is being pretty well maintained.
For Bulb recommendations see post #1 of Best Light Fixture sticky. Not sure why I bother. I post a recommendation, you ignore it and jump onto Amazon to find ****.
I got these as well, bought 8 and then 8 more a few months later, I did have an issue with 1 after a few months. I contacted them through Amazon and they had a replacement to my door in 2 days.I got the Hyperikon frosted LED conversions on Amazon.
They were easy to install using the existing wiring once you remove the ballast.