What LED 4ft tube kit will work with traditional 4ft light fixture?
#1
09-06-19, 10:44 AM
What LED 4ft tube kit will work with traditional 4ft light fixture?
I like to replace my traditional fluorescent 4t tube with LED tubes. I believed I have to remove the ballast in my existing light fixture. However, I'm not sure which brand or model of LED tube will work the best in my situation. Any suggestion/recommendation is much appreciated. Thank you.
Top Answer
09-06-19, 01:24 PM
Group Moderator
If removing the ballast from your fixture make sure you order LED bulbs that are line/AC powered. There is another type that works with your old ballast but if changing I recommend getting rid of the ballast. I have most recently used Hyperikon bulbs which I ordered from Amazon and they are all still working.
When you get the bulbs make sure you follow the wiring instructions. Some bulbs you supply hot and neutral to each pin on ONE end of the bulb. Other bulbs you put the hot on one end and the neutral on the other.
When you get the bulbs make sure you follow the wiring instructions. Some bulbs you supply hot and neutral to each pin on ONE end of the bulb. Other bulbs you put the hot on one end and the neutral on the other.
#2
09-06-19, 10:58 AM
Member
I can't recommend any specific kits off the top of my head.
I did notice when I had looked into doing the retrofit bulbs as you are, that it was cheaper (price and time) to replace the entire fixture with LED ones (depending on the fixture). In my case, I was working with 2 bulb fixtures.
I did notice when I had looked into doing the retrofit bulbs as you are, that it was cheaper (price and time) to replace the entire fixture with LED ones (depending on the fixture). In my case, I was working with 2 bulb fixtures.
#4
09-06-19, 01:24 PM
Group Moderator
If removing the ballast from your fixture make sure you order LED bulbs that are line/AC powered. There is another type that works with your old ballast but if changing I recommend getting rid of the ballast. I have most recently used Hyperikon bulbs which I ordered from Amazon and they are all still working.
When you get the bulbs make sure you follow the wiring instructions. Some bulbs you supply hot and neutral to each pin on ONE end of the bulb. Other bulbs you put the hot on one end and the neutral on the other.
When you get the bulbs make sure you follow the wiring instructions. Some bulbs you supply hot and neutral to each pin on ONE end of the bulb. Other bulbs you put the hot on one end and the neutral on the other.
#5
09-06-19, 02:39 PM
Member
Hi, I would recommend the Hyperikon bulbs, from Amazon, have approximately 20 lamps in service and no problems , I believe they feed from one end.
Geo
Geo
Charlie2
voted this post useful.
#6
09-06-19, 05:43 PM
Group Moderator
I was at the depot two weeks ago looking at tubes. They had just gotten single T-8 LED tubes that worked directly with the ballasts in the existing fixtures. I bought 8 for my sister and put them in 4 fixtures. No muss.... no fuss. I thought they were around $5 a piece but I can't find them at depot online.
Charlie2
voted this post useful.
#9
09-07-19, 04:16 AM
Group Moderator
LED tubes used with a ballast do not have a visible flicker. But, you still have the old ballast in the system as a future point of failure plus the added energy waste of the ballast so I always get rid of it.
#10
09-07-19, 12:45 PM
Group Moderator
Those tubes you linked to need to have the ballast disconnected.
That was not the style I bought.
The ones I bought did not have any flicker and lit immediately.
I didn't have the time to be rewiring the ballasts out of the fixtures. (I was being lazy)
Ultimately... removing the ballast is the ideal way to convert and removes a possible future problem with a bad ballast. .
That was not the style I bought.
The ones I bought did not have any flicker and lit immediately.
I didn't have the time to be rewiring the ballasts out of the fixtures. (I was being lazy)
Ultimately... removing the ballast is the ideal way to convert and removes a possible future problem with a bad ballast. .
#11
09-07-19, 02:49 PM
Group Moderator
We mainly use (and like) LED lamps from Keystone. We exclusively use the Direct Drive DX2 lamps that can be fed hot on one side and the neutral on the other. Makes rewiring the fixture quick and easy (faster than changing the fixture) and no need to change shunted sockets. They are about $5 - $8 each depending on quantity.
#13
09-12-19, 09:24 AM
Group Moderator
Yes, pretty much any retrofit LED bulb can be used. I used Hyperikon brand LED tubes when I converted my warehouse from fluorescent. I kept the old fixture and tombstones, removed the ballasts, then connected the black hot and neutral 120 VAC lines to the appropriate wires leading to the tombstones. It took more time getting my tools and ladder together than actually doing the work. They've been working for about a year without any trouble. They start immediately in the cold and at full brightness and seem brighter than the fluorescents.
