Replace 5ft flourescent tubes with Leds

[aidan]

I have some double 5ft flourescent tubes in a cattle shed. They are enclosed in covers and are supposed to be waterproof.

I see that the bulbs can be replaced with LEDs.

Anyone ever done it ?

How did it turn out ?

 

[Daddy Pig]

I replace all mine with led's now, instant light when you flick the switch and will hopefully last longer, I always disconnect the ballast and wire direct

 

[Tarw Coch]

I replace all mine with led's now, instant light when you flick the switch and will hopefully last longer, I always disconnect the ballast and wire direct

So there's a bit more to it than just replacing a tube?

How much does a replacement LED cost?

 

[jamj]

Led's are wired in direct, so disconnect / bypass all internal parts of existing light.
Last one I bought was £10.

 

[aidan]

Led's are wired in direct, so disconnect / bypass all internal parts of existing light.
Last one I bought was £10.

where would I get some of them, that seems cheap ?

and I just wire them direct to the wires from the 240V, thus I need to bypass starters and ballast and all that ?

 

[Y Fan Wen]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-T8-Li...hash=item25a0b25559:m:mizQvDmj5loQVA8M0pUnt5w

Have a look at the instructions down the page.

 

[jamj]

I got them from local electric wholesalers. They have a 2 or 3 year guarantee, and I like to have somewhere to go back to. They are in Co Down.

 

[aidan]

I got them from local electric wholesalers. They have a 2 or 3 year guarantee, and I like to have somewhere to go back to. They are in Co Down.

it says take out he starter and away you go, but I guess you must put in something instead of the starter, more detail needed I think...........

 

[TripleSix]

Some led battens directly replace the tube, others need the unit modified.

I wouldn't bother, electricity saving is minimal, replacement costs are higher and light output may not be as good...

 

[Tarw Coch]

Some led battens directly replace the tube, others need the unit modified.

I wouldn't bother, electricity saving is minimal, replacement costs are higher and light output may not be as good...

IIRC a standard 5ft fluorescent tube is 60w, how much is a LED one?

 

[jamj]

IIRC they are 20 watt.
For tubes I got I wired 240v direct into one end of led tube. Other end had a dummy fitting. Different tubes may differ. There was a replacement starter in pack but I didn't use it.
Light output looks as good as tube it replaced. I am happy!
New fluorescent units seem to be poorer quality and I had one that after just a few times did not switch on. Led cured that.

 

[Luxum LED]

Led Tubes are normally easy to replace and if you have a fitting with a Magnetic Ballast you only have to replace the tube and the starter. We have T8 LED Tube fluorescent replacements in stock. 5 ft 22W are £11 each. www.luxum.co.uk .You can find them either in Led Bulbs or under Specialist Lighting - Agricultural.

 

[zyklon]

I have a dozen led tubes here which I haven't had time to install.

Like said above, if your fitting has a starter, you replace the tubes and use a blank starter as they call it.

If you have a high frequency fitting that doesn't have a starter, you need to open the fitting and disconnect the ballast so the live & neutral incoming supply wires go direct to the led tube. You can take the ballast out and bin it if you want.

 

[Luxum LED]

I have a dozen led tubes here which I haven't had time to install.

Like said above, if your fitting has a starter, you replace the tubes and use a blank starter as they call it.

If you have a high frequency fitting that doesn't have a starter, you need to open the fitting and disconnect the ballast so the live & neutral incoming supply wires go direct to the led tube. You can take the ballast out and bin it if you want.

Yes just bypass the ballast.

 

[aidan]

Led Tubes are normally easy to replace and if you have a fitting with a Magnetic Ballast you only have to replace the tube and the starter. We have T8 LED Tube fluorescent replacements in stock. 5 ft 22W are £11 each. www.luxum.co.uk .You can find them either in Led Bulbs or under Specialist Lighting - Agricultural.

these ones were fitted 20years ago ballast is original, how do I check is it magnetic ?

 

[Luxum LED]

these ones were fitted 20years ago ballast is original, how do I check is it magnetic ?

It is most likely to be magnetic for its age and if it has a starter. This might seem off the wall but a DIY way is to turn the light on and take a picture with your phone. If the image displays dark bands or stripes, your fluorescent lamp is driven by a magnetic ballast. A modern, electronic ballast drives the lamp at a much higher frequency, and the picture will be clear without bands.

 

[tomlad]

As an aside sorry to hijack thread. Should a 'normal' tube be behind a cover . I've some that are exposed ? Is it called a diffuser ?

 

[Luxum LED]

As an aside sorry to hijack thread. Should a 'normal' tube be behind a cover . I've some that are exposed ? Is it called a diffuser ?

Some lights have a diffuser to improve the light scatter and some with sealed covers. It is always a good idea to protect a tube as they are glass, however many lights are installed with not protection. The protection level is determined by the desired purpose of the light.

 

[tomlad]

So only to protect the tube from being bashed not to protect my eyes

Next question then why after about 6 months the tube starts flashing
5 4fts on same circuit.?

 

[Luxum LED]

So only to protect the tube from being bashed not to protect my eyes

Next question then why after about 6 months the tube starts flashing
5 4fts on same circuit.?

Are they fluorescent or led tubes?