So I've got this really cool and probably really old 4 light florescent light fixture that has some really cool art deco style end caps that has the starters and I'd like to wire around the ballast and use LED bulbs. Does the fact that it has the starters make any difference or when wired around the ballast will that make the starters irrelevant?
Retro fitting a 4 light 4' florescent fixture that has replaceable starters to LED
- Thread starter 69supercj
- Start date
I really like the old fixtures from the 40's and 50's, which yours most likely are since they are preheat. They don't have the same look when converted to led. I'd leave them as is and just use them.
If you insist on led tubes, you have to connect your wiring directly to the tomestone not the starter socket.
I've got a couple to 4' "shop light" fixtures from the late 40's and a bunch of "adapter" type fixtures that take (2) F20T12's and have nice decorative glass endcaps. They are called adapters because they were meant to convert an incandescent light with a globe to fluorescent. They are all very reliable.
If you insist on led tubes, you have to connect your wiring directly to the tomestone not the starter socket.
I've got a couple to 4' "shop light" fixtures from the late 40's and a bunch of "adapter" type fixtures that take (2) F20T12's and have nice decorative glass endcaps. They are called adapters because they were meant to convert an incandescent light with a globe to fluorescent. They are all very reliable.
post up I picture if you can....... old lighting is cool. I keep an eye out on craigslist for something to pop up, there are tough to find
I did this one a few years back. it is an Day Brite made in the late 40's -50's
I converted to t8 electronic ballast. while the purest would shame me, I didn't want to deal with starters and old t12's. but still keep it a fluorescent.
photo sharing
I did this one a few years back. it is an Day Brite made in the late 40's -50's
I converted to t8 electronic ballast. while the purest would shame me, I didn't want to deal with starters and old t12's. but still keep it a fluorescent.
photo sharingtfi racing
Well-known member
post up I picture if you can....... old lighting is cool. I keep an eye out on craigslist for something to pop up, there are tough to find
I did this one a few years back. it is an Day Brite made in the late 40's -50's
I converted to t8 electronic ballast. while the purest would shame me, I didn't want to deal with starters and old t12's. but still keep it a fluorescent.
I certainly hope that you have had your modifications performed by a union trained and certified electrician and then UL inspected and stickered. Otherwise the safety joes that love to scream "call a lawyer","that's not code" and where's my mommy" that live on this site
definitely will have a conniption and throw a hissy fit...
Screw them guys, it looks cool and I like it.
radio63
Member
^^^ This. Enjoy it as an original vintage light fixture. I've got a bunch of old T-12 fluorescent fixtures using the original type bulbs and starters. They look and work great!
You wont need the starters. Remove them and their wires when you remove the ballast. Some of those old sockets, and the wire they are connected to, can be troublesome. Use care around them.
CD
If you insist on leds I would disconnect the ballast but leave it in place. Same thing with the starter sockets if possible. As long as you connect line voltage directly to the tombstones leaving the rest of it in the fixture but unconnected won't hurt a thing and it will leave the option of returning it to original.
Here's a couple of mine
Here's a couple of mine
Falcon67
Well-known member
Just put in direct wire LED bulbs and the wiring is simple. Leave the other stuff unwired.
Mine, retrofitted with guts from a modern T8 shop light and LED drop in bulbs. Would have used direct wire if I'd thought about it at the time.
Mine, retrofitted with guts from a modern T8 shop light and LED drop in bulbs. Would have used direct wire if I'd thought about it at the time.