[Shop-talk] led tubes and short memory

[old dirtbeard]

The primary advantage of converting an existing fluorescent fixture to LED
is that it is already there, wired, has the sockets, etc.

I converted all of the 8' fluorescent lights in my garage years ago from
magnetic ballast to electronic ballast and it was a good investment for me
at the time (used less power, lights started faster, there was less
flicker, less noise, worked better in the cold, erc.).

A couple years ago I converted all of them again to LED bulbs by just
removing the electronic ballasts and inserting 8' LED bulbs for all the
reasons previously stated. I gave all of the electronic ballasts to a
friend who was still using fluorescent 8' tubes with magnetic ballasts.
These are the bulbs I used and I am completely satisfied with them:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074MC1FW3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You do not need to remove the ballast, just wire the sockets directly to
the 110VAC lines. It could not be easier.

Here are 4' LED bulbs that I used for some other locations around the house
in the existing fluorescent sockets for the same reasons:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074M8KCJ1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Again, the primary reason for using the replacement LEDs is that you only
have to change the bulbs and bypass the ballast. It is really easy to do
and the technology is the same. You are just reusing the existing mounts.

If I were starting fresh, from scratch, yes, I would just use the direct
mount LEDs that Mark is advocating. There is no need for the reflectors as
the LED lights do not emit 360 degree light, they can be purchased in 90
degree or 120 degree spread if you desire.

best,
doug


On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 9:42 PM Mark Andy <marka at maracing.com> wrote:

>
> Howdy,
>
> They come with clips that you can screw to the ceiling.  There's no
> fixture.  I don't know that a fixture would help in any event, since the
> LEDs are all surface mounted, so they wouldn't throw light up toward the
> ceiling in any event.
>
> You all should do whatever you like, but after using both these as well as
> fluorescents, there's no way I would use a fluorescent fixture.  I might
> compare other LED solutions, but if they cost significantly more than
> these, I wouldn't bother.  I've been nothing but impressed / happy with
> them.
>
> Mark
>
> On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 7:14 PM Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> A quick glance doesn't show how they're mounted; anyone know? Seems like
>> you'd still want a fixture to reflect light.
>>
>>
>> On 1/10/2022 1:42 PM, Mark Andy wrote:
>>
>> Howdy,
>>
>> If I were doing this, I would pretty much just throw away the existing
>> stuff and put up these:
>>
>>
>> https://www.amazon.com/Barrina-8500LM-Daylight-Output-Linkable/dp/B07RKZFD5Z/ref=sr_1_2_sspa
>>
>> I have a shop that was built around 7 years ago and stuff like this
>> wasn't available at this cost, so I went with 4 tube fluorescent fixtures.
>> They've been "fine", but when I redid our daily driver parking garage last
>> year I used the Barrina lights.  Super easy, nice bright light, and pretty
>> cheap.  Absolutely no question that's what I'd do if I were redoing the
>> shop / what I will do when the time comes when the existing fluorescents
>> die.
>>
>> YMMV.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 3:08 PM Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Since I was already 'LED curious,' I did a bit of research:
>>>
>>> - there are some LED tubes that require a ballast* ('Type A')
>>> - there are some LED tubes that require bypassing of the ballast ('Type
>>> B')
>>> - there are some LED tubes that work with ballast or without/bypassing,
>>> with some rewiring* ('Type A+B')
>>>
>>>
>>> If you want the least (initial) hassle, and have 'fresh' ballasts--they
>>> all fail, eventually--you can plug and play the 'A+B' type with a ballast
>>> then, when the ballast fails you can bypass it, which requires some
>>> rewiring (apparently, you can leave the dead ballast in place).
>>>
>>>
>>> * Need to check compatibility between tube and ballast.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 1/10/2022 10:48 AM, Ian McFetridge wrote:
>>>
>>> I used the Feit replacement LED tubes, it sounds like they are similar.
>>> Here are the instructions for the Feit, maybe that will help?
>>>
>>> https://www.feit.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/T4815_850_AB_LED_10_MANUAL_051019.pdf
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> Ian
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 12:12 PM john niolon <jniolon at att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Couple of years ago I bought a box of Utilitech t81636f16-40...4' led
>>>> tubes...redid all my shop lights and was pleased with them
>>>>
>>>> now I want to add some fixtures in another part of shop and my memory
>>>> has failed... I know I had to rewire fixtures to make them work
>>>> but can remember what I did and instruction sheet is long gone or
>>>> lost...
>>>>
>>>> Utilititech was a Lowes brand and now discontinued and Utilitech web
>>>> site is a joke    anyone tell me how to wire these bulbs up either with or
>>>> without ballast..,....seems I remember they were non shunted
>>>> bulbs...but now sure
>>>>
>>>> thanks
>>>> john
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
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