New member, low voltage tech (ethernet, clocks, bells, telco), home DIY asking a question on converting CFL to LED lighting in kitchen.

I have 5 old CFL lamps that are being replaced with LED recessed lamps.

I took one lamp out and found a ballast. Cut out the ballast (see photos) and wired the white/black wires direct to the LED lamp to a switch and worked perfect.

Then the problem:
3 other lamps have NO ballasts but has red/blue wiring in a junction box.
Using the white/black wires, I figured they were switched as well.
Nope - won't power up.

Why ?
The old CF lamps used to power up fine which tells me the wiring is intact.
Are the other CF lamps - without ballasts, getting their power from a single ballast somewhere else??


Original CFL

Ballast cut out of one lamp

Empty junction box (no ballast)

CFL wiring

 

The ballast is there, it is just on the other side of the box. Follow the wires going through the hole in the back of the box.

The other option would be to just cut the wires going through the hold and connect the blues to the neutral (white) and the reds to the hot (black) in the junction box

 

Thank you so much!

You were correct - the ballast was on the other side.

All lamps replaced and working now.