T8 fluorescent to LED Fixture Conversion

[Imusprofit]

So I started my pole barn/ Man Cave project about 10 years ago. A divorce and job change set me back, but I'm starting to see the light (pun intended) to the end of this long project. I picked up 24 2-Bulb used T8 fixtures in excellent condition complete with new fluorescent bulbs about 8 years ago. Fast forward to today. I like the effeciency of the new LED bubs for T8 fixtures but I don't know if I should buy the T8 bulbs that use the older fluorescent ballast, or yank the ballast and use the direct wire T8s? Or should I just use the fluorescent bulbs and call it a day??

 

[pepi]

I highly recommend the upgrade, you do not need to remove the ballast, cut the wires. Will not hurt a thing, as you know the LED tubes are direct wired to line voltage 120.

You want to keep the metal fixtures, and take the time to make the wire change.... must take at least 5 min once you learn what's going on.

There are loads of cheap plastic fixtures out here, that are one step below ****.

Many have there own preferences, I replaced 30 tubes,,using these guys
https://www.superbrightleds.com/

I bought T8s thinking they were an upgrade from the large tube florescent. First year or so worked good, thinking nice .. Short time after the tubes started to go away, soon to follow the ballast on a few fixtures. That was straw that broke the camel's back .

I'm into the T8 LEDs now, year 3 going strong, replaced ZERO tubes .... had my doubts, but they are gone today.

FWIW

Pep

 

[cybrdyke]

If the ballasts are from 8-10 years ago, there are a couple of things to consider. Ballasts from that long ago are less likely to be compatible with the new LED tubes. Also, ballasts with alot of mileage on them can struggle to fully light the new LED tubes. I'd bypass them if it was my man cave.
Look for tubes that are "double-end powered". It's really easy to do.
Good luck,
CD

 

[BoostAddiction]

I recently replaced 6 old T12 fixtures with flat LED panels. Big improvement in color temp, light output and appearance.

When we took down the 18-year-old fixtures, every one of the ballasts had leaked.

 

[fourjeepin]

Check the sticky for led bypass bulbs. I replaced all of my fluorescents a few months back and am so happy with the results.

 

[Citation]

My brother just picked up some LED shop lights from Costco. He didn't say which model but they were $20 each. He's thinking about replacing his florescent lights. My suggestion would be just use what you have until it goes out. If you are going to replace I was thinking to use the low buck LED lights and just mount them in the shell of the florescent lights.

 

[larry4406]

I highly recommend the upgrade, you do not need to remove the ballast, cut the wires. Will not hurt a thing, as you know the LED tubes are direct wired to line voltage 120.

You want to keep the metal fixtures, and take the time to make the wire change.... must take at least 5 min once you learn what's going on.

There are loads of cheap plastic fixtures out here, that are one step below ****.

Many have there own preferences, I replaced 30 tubes,,using these guys
https://www.superbrightleds.com/

I bought T8s thinking they were an upgrade from the large tube florescent. First year or so worked good, thinking nice .. Short time after the tubes started to go away, soon to follow the ballast on a few fixtures. That was straw that broke the camel's back .

I'm into the T8 LEDs now, year 3 going strong, replaced ZERO tubes .... had my doubts, but they are gone today.

FWIW

Pep

I'm in the same boat. Installed (12) 4' dual T8 fixtures in the garage 5 years ago thinking I was doing the smart thing. The light was amazing. Then progressive failure of bulbs/ballasts (I think its the bulbs) but in any event I think I have maybe 1/4-1/3 of the fixtures operable. I've so much **** in the garage that access to the fixtures is a real PIA.

Did you single end direct wire or double end?

 

[pawel]

I just replaced T12 with T8 in an old fixture in the bathroom. I removed the ballast but kept the starter. The instructions were not clear on that so I had to bench test it. Looks great, much brighter, no buzzing, and instant on. Even the wife commented how nice and bright it is.

 

[exranger06]

You can buy LED tubes that can work with or without a ballast. Best of both worlds. You can keep the ballasts in place for now if you don't feel like yanking them out. You can use up the fluorescent tubes you still have, and replace them one by one with LED, you can mix fluorescent with LED in the same fixture, etc. Then when the ballast eventually fails, yank it out and direct-wire the LEDs. That's what I did - I have two fixtures in my garage, each fixture has 4 tubes. One fixture has 2 fluorescent tubes and 2 LEDs. Obviously I still have the ballast installed in that one. As soon as those last 2 fluorescent tubes burn out, they will be replaced with LED. The ballast in the other fixture failed at almost the same time the last fluorescent tube burned out. So I replaced the last tube with an LED, removed the ballast, and rewired it. Now I never have to deal with a bad ballast in that fixture again.

 

[Imusprofit]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm thinking about just buying all new bypass tubes and calling it a day. How much brighter are they? I was thinking about installing 24 2-bulb light fixtures in my 36 x 40 pole building. Is that too much light?

 

[Phantomd]

"too much light" - No such thing.

I just did a direct wire LED conversion project at work. Went with a Hyperikon double ended 2300 lumen 18w bulb. I measured a 40% reduction in power usage for the fixture (electronic ballast t8). I like the 4000K color temperature.

Rewiring the fixtures was super easy once I understood what needed to happen. I used push on connectors since the power draw was so low.

Our power company gives businesses $3/bulb rebates for LED conversions so the cost was reasonable. we expect something like a 2.5-3 year ROI.

 

[Imusprofit]

"too much light" - No such thing.

Rewiring the fixtures was super easy once I understood what needed to happen. I used push on connectors since the power draw was so low.

Do you have a picture of how you rewired the fixture to bypass the ballast?

 

[Falcon67]

Usually you just wire 120V to one end of the lamp. The reason why you can't direct wire replacement LEDS in some cheap fixtures because they use shorted tombstones.

 

[cybrdyke]

You can buy LED tubes that can work with or without a ballast. Best of both worlds. You can keep the ballasts in place for now if you don't feel like yanking them out. You can use up the fluorescent tubes you still have, and replace them one by one with LED, you can mix fluorescent with LED in the same fixture, etc. Then when the ballast eventually fails, yank it out and direct-wire the LEDs. That's what I did - I have two fixtures in my garage, each fixture has 4 tubes. One fixture has 2 fluorescent tubes and 2 LEDs. Obviously I still have the ballast installed in that one. As soon as those last 2 fluorescent tubes burn out, they will be replaced with LED. The ballast in the other fixture failed at almost the same time the last fluorescent tube burned out. So I replaced the last tube with an LED, removed the ballast, and rewired it. Now I never have to deal with a bad ballast in that fixture again.

This is a very legitimate strategy and is good common sense.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm thinking about just buying all new bypass tubes and calling it a day. How much brighter are they? I was thinking about installing 24 2-bulb light fixtures in my 36 x 40 pole building. Is that too much light?

They're not supposed to be "brighter"....they're supposed to be about the same brightness as fluorescent tubes, but using much less energy. A standard T8 tube delivers around 1700 lumens, so use that as your bench mark. If your space is under-lit, in your opinion, it's easy to get LED tubes that emit 2000 or more lumens.

"too much light" - No such thing.

Humorous, but not true. Too much light is actually quite a serious health issue.

Do you have a picture of how you rewired the fixture to bypass the ballast?

So simple. Just take all the socket wires on one end of the fixture and attach them to black. Then, take all the wires from the other end of the fixture and attach them to white. Done.

CD

 

[larry4406]

Dumb question on converting a fixture to LEDs.

Does one apply a sticker on the fixture denoting the conversion? For example when a cooktop is rejetted for propane there is a sticker the tech fills out stating such etc and the sticker is prominently displayed.

What happens if the next homeowner is unaware and uses a normal T8 bulb in a fixture that has been modified in any of the various ways discussed? What’s become of the fixture’s UL listing? Ballast retained obviously all is good. Ballast delete, rewire, .... boom?

Sorry for derailing of the thread.

 

[pawel]

Dumb question on converting a fixture to LEDs.

Does one apply a sticker on the fixture denoting the conversion? For example when a cooktop is rejetted for propane there is a sticker the tech fills out stating such etc and the sticker is prominently displayed.

What happens if the next homeowner is unaware and uses a normal T8 bulb in a fixture that has been modified in any of the various ways discussed? What’s become of the fixture’s UL listing? Ballast retained obviously all is good. Ballast delete, rewire, .... boom?

Sorry for derailing of the thread.

Mine came with a sticker to put on the light fixture and I did apply it.

 

[nomadskidoo]

Converting T-8s to LED do I need to get rid of the Plastic lid/ cover?2'x4' units for more lite(5000 lumins)

 

[cybrdyke]

Dumb question on converting a fixture to LEDs.

Does one apply a sticker on the fixture denoting the conversion?

What happens if the next homeowner is unaware and uses a normal T8 bulb in a fixture that has been modified in any of the various ways discussed?

A sticker is required by UL if the ballast is removed. There is no UL issue for the fixture modification.
In the case of a double-end powered LED tube, if the LED is removed and replaced with a fluorescent lamp, nothing will happen..it wont light. In the case of a single end powered LED tube, then a dead short is created at the socket which will likely kill the lamp with a small arc.

Converting T-8s to LED do I need to get rid of the Plastic lid/ cover?2'x4' units for more lite(5000 lumins)

I'm not sure what you mean by plastic lid/cover. Do you mean the clear lens? No, you dont need to remove it for more light.

CD

 

[Phantomd]

-Rewiring fixtures - There are TWO ways to rewire depending on the bulb. Single ended and double ended. I get the impression that double ended are becoming more common since the tombstones on most t8 fixtures are shunted/shorted. My hyperikon bulbs were internally shunted too so it made wiring that much easier. All wires going to one end of the fixture got connected to black(L) and the other side to white (N.)
https://www.litetronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Double-Tube-Diagram-600x167.jpg?x46331

- Too much light. Indeed I was trying to be humorous. it's difficult to get too much unless you have some serious huge fixtures in a small space.

-Stickers - My hyperikon bulbs came with stickers, I also made a wire diagram sticker (similar to the link above) since we have label printers at work. I put both on every fixture I rewire at work.


I direct wired my fixtures since it's provides a few more watts of energy savings without the ballast. It was also a requirement for a slightly higher rebate.

 

[pepi]

I'm in the same boat. Installed (12) 4' dual T8 fixtures in the garage 5 years ago thinking I was doing the smart thing. The light was amazing. Then progressive failure of bulbs/ballasts (I think its the bulbs) but in any event I think I have maybe 1/4-1/3 of the fixtures operable. I've so much **** in the garage that access to the fixtures is a real PIA.

Did you single end direct wire or double end?

Larry,

Had a T8 tube, in every tube you get this paper work. I left the ballast in the fixture.. They show a wired ballast using the T8 LED. I say this, the ballast is a point of failure and it will fail. Not necessary so why use it, let it stay save the headace..... removing it or using it and it fails ..

As to a ballast leaking, not saying that does not happen, cause not had one. But what i will say is that if it is not leaking now,, without power it sure as hell will not start.

Wiring double end:

1 cut or remove wire nuts from the black and white wires on the back side of the ballast
2 other side of the ballast, will have two colors and three wires,
3 cut or remove wire nut from the two wires having the same color.
4 twist them together
5 connect the pair to the black wire remove, in step 1
half way home
6 cut or remove wire nut from single wire
7 connect that wire to the white wire remove in step one

The diagram shows a single tube fixture, I just told you how to wire the standard 2 tube shop lite.
I have two 6 tube fixtures and the wiring the same, x 3


The reason for using the double end wiring, it is simpler. And that is because that is the way the fixture already is wired.


When you get in there you will understand, it is very obvious

Hope this shines some lite on the subject

Pep

2 tube 4 ft fixture

 

[Chetter]

Hi, just got some LED bulbs to replace my fluorescent tubes. The LED's are single ended, I guess means only need power to the one end marked L + N. I just need some guidance on how to properly wire the light up. My fixtures have a pull chain to turn off and on and the one end nearest the switch has the tombstones with one white wire that connects the two together and a red wire that comes from the ballast to one of the tombstones. The other end has two blue wires that come from the ballast to the tombstones with one blue wire going to each tombstone. The bulbs came from Superbright LED and they didn't come with ant instructions and sometimes I know just enough to be dangerous, so I want to do this right. I have enclosed a few pics to show what I have, any help would be much appreciated.

 

[exranger06]

You have shunted tombstones. To use single end LEDs, you need non-shunted tombstones. You'll have to find non-shunted tombstones that will fit your fixture and swap them in.

Once you have your non-shunted tombstones, you'll connect wires to two of them. The other tombstones don't get any wires connected at all; they're just there to hold the tube in the fixture. You clip the black and white wires that go to the ballast. Remove the ballast and all of the red and blue wiring. For the 2 tombstones that get wires attached: You're going to connect 2 wires to each tombstone. One wire splices to the black wire that you clipped, the other splices to the white wire. Done.

 

[Falcon67]

Or, return the direct wire bulbs and by drop ins. I found non-shunted tombstones on Amazon, but it's a hella hunt, hoping displayed pictures are accurate for comparison and reflect the delivered product.

 

[pepi]

Cutting thru the chaff


Cut the wires off the ballast


At the power cord:
Connect the 2 Blue wires too the Black wire
Connect the 1 Red wire too the White wire


No need to remove the ballast

***************************************************************************************

 

[exranger06]

Cutting thru the chaff


Cut the wires off the ballast


At the power cord:
Connect the 2 Blue wires too the Black wire
Connect the 1 Red wire too the White wire


No need to remove the ballast

***************************************************************************************

That only works if the tubes are double-end powered. OP bought single-end powered tubes, which require non-shunted tombstones as I described above.

OP - double-end tubes are much easier to wire up and don't require changing tombstones. You just follow what pepi said. Perhaps you can return the tubes you bought and get some double-end powered ones.

 

[cybrdyke]

Hi, just got some LED bulbs to replace my fluorescent tubes. The LED's are single ended, I guess means only need power to the one end marked L + N. I just need some guidance on how to properly wire the light up.

As ranger said....those wont work with your sockets.

You have shunted tombstones. To use single end LEDs, you need non-shunted tombstones. .

^^^THIS

Cutting thru the chaff
Cut the wires off the ballast
At the power cord:
Connect the 2 Blue wires too the Black wire
Connect the 1 Red wire too the White wire

Nope. This wont work.

Chetter, your options are to return those single-end tubes and get some double-end tubes, (This would be my recommendation) or find some non-shunted sockets (an electrical supply house might have them, might not).
You could also get LED lamps that work with the ballast and not have to worry about the sockets.
Good luck,
CD

 

[Chetter]

Thanks for the replies, guess I will contact them about return to get the right bulbs. I went by their website using the numbers that are on the original bulbs to which led bulbs I would need, guess I messed that up.