LED Tube Conversions, Anyone ?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by HarryS, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    The 5ft fluorescent tubes in my garage are looking a bit dim , and take quite a while to get up to full brightness . I am thinking of replacing with LED tubes . Now to change to LED all I would need to do is bridge out the starter/choke , is this correct? Has anyone else converted standard tube fittings like this ?
    TIA
    Philips LED T8 Tube Lamp T8 Cool White 2000lm 1500mm 25W
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Looks interesting @HarryS , but they are quite expensive.:smile:
     
  3. Sandy Ground

    Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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    I looked into this a while ago for my garage as well.

    From what I found out, there are different types of fluorescent fittings.

    On some, its just a matter of changing the starter, then fitting the new tube.

    On others, the ballast and starter have to be removed, and even the connectors for the tubes themselves. That's because some of them have an internal shunt that causes a short circuit when the led pieces are put in place. As I understood things, kits are available.

    Added to that there are "double ended" and "single ended" led's....

    I'm certain though that there are better people than me on here that can give a better answer than I can.
     
  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Any ideas how much it costs to just buy a new set up for LED tubes.
    Is it actually worth the hassle of converting a standard set up to LED?
     
  5. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    To be fair, that is actually a good price - last time I looked at switching the tube lights over to LED, each bulb was £45. As far as I know, those Philips ones are plug and play, minus the starter, in a fitting that has an EM ballast.

    Do you actually need tube lights, or would other lighting be acceptable? You could change over to a strip or two of those wee GU10 spotlights, and that would allow you to fit the 5w LED GU10 that are now really quite common and inexpensive.

    Either way, I am a big fan of LED lighting.
     
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    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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      Looking at the prices on Screwfix
      Standard fluorescent tubes 4 ft £3.50
      Led 4 ft tube £15
      4ft Batten with Led tube £37
      So for a garage workshop used occasionally it's not really worth changing. But you always want to try something new , and sod the expense ! I have a LED 4 foot strip light to go over my workbench , I am fitting that tomorrow. So I'll make a call then whether to convert my two roof light fluorescents.
       
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      • Sandy Ground

        Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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        @fat controller I'm a big fan myself, so I was a bit sad when I made the same decision as @HarryS Even if I'm in there a lot, its just not worth the expense of changing them.

        I do find it strange though that governments in many countries are shoving this "green" idea down our throats, then when something such as led lights come along, that really will help the environment by reducing electricity use, dont give the public any incentive to buy them!
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          There is no profit for anyone, but the consumer, in reducing electricity use.
           
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          • Loofah

            Loofah Admin Staff Member

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            Just started swapping out my gu10's to led type, very impressive so far
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              I fitted the new LED workbench light today . It's actually an under cupboard kitchen light unit , at 36W LED and a bright white colour scale it's really very good :blue thumb: The old fluorescent was a bit gloomy.
              But now all the other garage lights look a bit dim , more expense coming :biggrin: !
               
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              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                The light from LED is much more 'useable' in my opinion, so there is a lot more to changing to LED than just saving energy.
                 
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                How straight forward was it to change @HarryS , can you just remove the old tube and put the new one in, and hey presto, or are there changes you have to make to the existing unit.
                 
              • HarryS

                HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                @pete , For my bench I put a complete new unit in.
                I have found you can buy LED tubes with an LED starter . So you change the tube and starter with no wiring change.
                5ft 25w LED Eco Tube Daylight 6000k
                If you buy a standard LED tube , the starter needs to be bridged out - as video.
                The cost to convert tubes to LED in an occasional workshop/garage will take about 20 years to pay back ! But as FC said the LED white light is a good quality to work in.
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Right, so you just by pass the live wire on the ballast and you dont need the starter anymore?
                   
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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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