I have six 48” long double tube fixtures in my garage plus another three similar in my workshop and thinking to replace them with LED’s. Its time to change some tubes on these fixtures and usually I buy the tubes in a box of 12 which cost less then buy them individually, the box about 6 years ago was CAD$65.

Looking on the web for options the least expensive looks like to buy LED tubes with the ballast on one end or both ends (don’t know why you want it on both ends). I have no problem disconnecting the existing ballast and hook the new one. This option should cost me roughly CAD$450.00 versus approx. CAD$1.100 to but new LED fixtures including the tubes.

Are the LED tubes with the ballast attached any good or I’m wasting my money and should go with the new fixtures? Any other suggestion?

Thanks

 

Sorry but I do not know what a LED tube with a ballast at one end is.
As far as I know LEDs do not require a ballast.

I like the tubes with power at one and and Neutral at the other end.
Then in the future if you try to install a tube with both power and Neutral on one end nothing happens.
But do it the other way around and sparks will fly.
They usually give stickers to affix to the fixture as to what LEDs are required but I prefer to make it idiot proof.

Even if the LEDs say they are ballast compatible get rid of the ballast.

I use 18 watt 5000 K white LEDs and they are way brighter than the tubes I replaced.

 

Not necessarily need ballast but can be used as direct replacement to conventional flouresent, plug and play.

But, why continue dealing with them, ballast bypass styles are probably the best option.

Here's some information on the different styles/electrical configurations!

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...E#tab/overview

 

LED replacement tube have no ballast. The only difference between the single and double ended style is where you connect the power. One type you connect both hot and neutral to one end of the bulb. The other style you connect hot to either pin on one end and neutral to either pin on the other end. Wiring simplicity is the same for both as you just cut off the old ballast and connect your incoming 120VAC black and white wires to the fixture wires running to the tombstones at the ends of the bulbs.

As far as reliability I have switched my office building and warehouse to LED replacement tubes and I have not had a single one fail. The electricity usage for the warehouse dropped almost in half with the change and the bulbs are brighter than the old fluorescents.

 

Thank you, the link was most useful

 

Bypassing the ballast is always the better option. They do make LED lamps that use the voltage the ballasts put out (Plug and Play) but why rely on the ballast and waste the energy?

For ease of wiring, I always recommend getting LED lamps that feed the hot to one end and the neutral to the other. That way you do not need to be concerned with the type of sockets you have. As long as they are bi-pin they will work.

Here is a similar thread on the subject: Replacement ideas for kitchen fluorescent light box

Here are the lamps referenced in the thread: https://www.amazon.com/Parmida-LED-E...51&sr=8-6&th=1

 

The shunted instant start sockets have 2 pins and only one side has a place to but wires as a metal piece connects both pins to one side.

I have opened up the back of the socket cut the bridge and used a small drill bit for the wires this converts them into non-shunted sockets yes I'm cheap!

Also my mandatory LoL LED!

 

Tolyn the link you provided for the different config was very useful

Went to HomeDepot hopping to get more info but I ended up more confused with the options available and left. In any case they have nothing in stock and they suggest to order online assuming I know what I want.

I know that I want the T8 tubes type B (with internal driver) but I’m confused with the single or double connections (one end or both ends connection). I think the single will be better but perhaps there is a reason to have double connections but I don’t see it? Why would you like to have one or the other?

How about the sockets? Can I use the existing sockets I now have or I need to buy new ones?

Then there is the wattage which also affects the price by a lot. My existing fluorescent tubes are 40 watts each. Any idea what I should go with?

Also there is the dimmable but for my garage I only need “full blast”

 

Where power feeds into the LED bulbs doesn't matter. Both styles are equally easy to wire. You just cut the wires and remove the old ballast. Then you connect the wires inside your fixture that used to go between the ballast and tombstones, usually blue & yellow, to the hot and neutral (black, white) so you don't even need to buy any wire. You reuse the existing tombstones. Don't over think it. It really is super simple. The only difference is if you send power to one end of the bulb or to either end. Either way you reuse the conductors inside your fixture so the only difference is how you connect them.

I think I replaced my 48" fluorescent tubes with 18 watt LED's and the LED's are noticeably brighter. I have used bulbs from Superbright LED's and JESLED & Hyperikon purchased from Amazon and they both have worked equally well.

 

I’m all set now Pilot Dane, thanks