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T12 fluorescent to LED tube

Discussion in 'Home Improvement' started by Northbound Train, Aug 8, 2019.

  1. Aug 8, 2019 at 5:10 PM
    #1
    Northbound Train

    Northbound Train [OP] Masshole

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    Glenn
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    I have 12 8’ T12 fixtures in my garage. The ballasts are reaching the end of their life span and I was thinking it’s time to change to LED tubes. I did a little reading, apparently there are 3 ways to go about it: LED tubes that utilize the fluorescent ballast, LED tubes where you eliminate the ballast and run line voltage to the sockets, or a type that has a controller of some sort instead of the flourescent ballast.
    Anyone have experience with this? I don’t want to use the existing ballasts, so the first option is out.
    Thanks, Glenn
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2019
  2. Aug 8, 2019 at 5:23 PM
    #2
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    I have 5 of those and was thinking about the same thing. I wished they made adapters to connect 2 4' LED lights together.
     
  3. Aug 8, 2019 at 5:24 PM
    #3
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    By no means an expert but cost wise it may be cheaper to replace all the fixtures instead of converting them to LED.

    With new fixtures you may be able to use less but end up with more light.
     
    Pudge and Trooper2 like this.
  4. Aug 8, 2019 at 5:34 PM
    #4
    P-Factor

    P-Factor New Member

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  5. Aug 8, 2019 at 5:57 PM
    #5
    neirbot

    neirbot New Member

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    I'm about to outfit my new garage with LEDs and have found that 1000bulbs.com has the best pricing and selection. I can get a 48" 2-lamp fixture for about $30, including tubes. 4400 lumens. Good thing because I need about 12 of them.
     
  6. Aug 8, 2019 at 6:39 PM
    #6
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Replaced some fixtures in master closet and kitchen with LED, soooooo happy I did. Only 4 footers but glad to be done with fluorescent!

    Slowly replacing at work shop as well. :thumbsup:
     
  7. Aug 8, 2019 at 6:53 PM
    #7
    Turtle

    Turtle New Member

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    Have T12 lights 4 ft in carport at home, 8 ft at deer camp in skinning shed. Lights in carport are 6-7 years old, Lights (8ft) tubes were replaced from Home Depot last year. Key is to never turn them off. Carport lights are on 24/365. Lights on skinning shed are on from sept to feb. Looking to put LED in skinning shed but as long as lights are working I can't justify replacing them... Good luck in your search and advice.
     
  8. Aug 8, 2019 at 6:58 PM
    #8
    Geezer

    Geezer New Member

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    I replaced some 48 inch flourescent tubes with LEDs. The ballast in mine were old, so I simply bought new ballasts that support LED tubes and new LED tubes. It was very simple to replace the ballasts and a lot less expensive than new fixtures.
     
  9. Aug 28, 2019 at 7:18 PM
    #9
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    It's not hard to put in line voltage LEDs. Just pull the ballast out and wire the hot and neutral to the tombstones.

    However, LEDs require a driver. So instead of a nice, full size ballast type driver, its crammed into a t8 size tube. You're not getting rid of the driver/ballast, just making it non replaceable.

    With that said, LEDs rarely go out, but drivers are still prone to going out.
     
    FrenchToasty likes this.
  10. Nov 11, 2020 at 6:30 PM
    #10
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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    LED headlamps/fogs; interior footlamps.
    Possibility: $18 thru 11/12.
     

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