Is the process of changing out this fixture to a bulb socket straight forward as it looks? Would like to replace it with a bulb socket and use one of those screw in fixtures with the adjustable heads. I know it's pry a dumb question but I figured I'd ask since the only dumb ones are the ones you don't ask.
Strip light to bulb socket
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wssix99
Well-known member
No picture.
like everything, changing fixtures is easy if you have the tools, equipment and knowledge
sounds like you want to change out a fixture to a porcelain or key less bulb holder.
just keep the polarity right . don't leave any bare wires and that's pretty much it
sounds like you want to change out a fixture to a porcelain or key less bulb holder.
just keep the polarity right . don't leave any bare wires and that's pretty much it
This is what I would like to swap to a bulb socket. It just seems so straight forward I feel I may be missing something. These florescent lights **** and don't give much light output so a bulb fixture with one of those LED bulbs that has adjustable heads seems to be the perfect solution
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nadogail
Well-known member
I have replaced all the fluorescent lights in my workshop with the screw in LED Modules. I feel that was an improvement.
Which ones did you go with? I've noticed now especially in the cold months the florescent bulbs take a while to warm up.
nadogail
Well-known member
The
I used some 5 panel modules I bought from Amazon.
you will have to determine if there is a box under the florescent fixture. they can be wired directly without a box so that may be a hurdle you have to jump.
From the access it appears to have a blue box where the wires connect. I'll get some more pics tomorrow
Shiftless
Well-known member
I replaced 4 foot long tubular fluorescent fixtures with 4 foot long tubular LED fixtures and it seems to me that the garage is now much brighter and has even lighting, not zones of blindingly bright spots of light that you get with those screw in multi panel things.
In my 2 car garage, I used to have 4 fixtures each with four 4 foot fluorescent tubes. I replaced them with 9 tubular LED fixtures each having two 4 foot tubes. Way better.
In my 2 car garage, I used to have 4 fixtures each with four 4 foot fluorescent tubes. I replaced them with 9 tubular LED fixtures each having two 4 foot tubes. Way better.
BillK
Well-known member
First thing I would try would be to remove the plastic diffuser. Then replace the 2 tubes with led tubes instead. I replaced all of the 8 ft fluorescent tubes at my business with led tubes and it made a ton of difference. I would use ballast bypass tubes, I believe they are the most efficient.
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I’d change the fluorescent fixture to LED and leave it in the same place. More light and looks better and easier than converting the box to a light socket and using one of those strange LED lightbulb replacement. Maybe cheaper in the long run as well.
This is what I would suggest. Direct swap of the older fixture with a new LED equivalent. Something like this (not a specific recommendation, just an example)
10,000 Lumen, 4 Ft. Linkable Diamond Plate LED Hanging Shop Light
Amazing deals on this 10,000L 4 Bank Linkable Shop Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
Zeke
Well-known member
Agreed. Cheaper, faster and 4 feet of light instead of one centered lamp. Another thing to do is add a fixture through the end of the existing. A short piece of conduit and wire in a 2nd or even a 3rd off the first. You can bend the conduit as well to put fixtures wherever. Armored cable works too. You're pulling so little current on a twin LED you could have several.
SweetD
Well-known member
Did the same thing but with (4), four-foot fixtures each with just two fluorescent tubes each. Night and day difference. Instant on/off, way brighter, way less energy consumption. I did have to remove (bypass) the ballasts but it was really easy to do. I found "open box" LED tubes on Amazon for a nice discount. And I had to buy a box of the "tombstones" that are made for the LED tubes. They retro-fitted into the fixtures no problem. There are a few good YouTube vids out there on this process.
OP, I would suggest replacing in this manner.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Lots of votes for tubular lights.
One of the benefits of my upgrade was to get more fixtures with fewer lumens per fixture in order to more evenly spread out the light. Each of my nine 2 tube fixtures provides a stated 4500 lumens. Unless you have very high ceilings, super bright fixtures to me are too glaringly uncomfortable to work under. Glare and shadows can be avoided with better lighting design.
One of the benefits of my upgrade was to get more fixtures with fewer lumens per fixture in order to more evenly spread out the light. Each of my nine 2 tube fixtures provides a stated 4500 lumens. Unless you have very high ceilings, super bright fixtures to me are too glaringly uncomfortable to work under. Glare and shadows can be avoided with better lighting design.