Replace fluorescent shop lights with LED. School me...

[Desk Jockey]

So...I have a little time on my hands and ye ole shoppe lights are in need of an upgrade. Currently have 3 rows with two 8-foot fluorescent fixtures in each row and 6 feet in between the fixtures.

I have at least 2 fixtures that the ballast seems to be going out. They were dime store hand me downs and I got 10 years from them so no hard feelings.

I am not looking to spend a mint but my thoughts were to replace each 8 footer with 2x 4 foot LED fixtures. I was also thinking about mounting the lights - 2 each to a 2x4 that so could hang with the current chains. I would end up with 12 fixtures in roughly the same configuration. someone recommended these honeywell fixtures to me from home depot. About $30 each so I could do the whole project for under $400:

4 ft. 50-Watt Equivalent 5000 Lumens Linkable Integrated LED White Shop Light 5000K (2-Pack)

www.homedepot.com

Any thoughts or advice before I dive in here?

 

[ebonnette0118]

I retrofitted my fluorescent fixtures by bypassing the ballasts. Then installed T12 LED tubes.

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[tt_johnsclist]

Just got done doing this, 2 different ways. Replaced my 8-foot tubes in my shop light fixtures with these bulbs:

LUMINOSUM, T8 8 Feet LED Tube... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WWGFQYY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This worked great, note that you will have to re-wire the fixture to bypass the ballast. Easy if you have the knowledge.

Scrapped my garage fixtures and replaced one 4-foot fixture with 2 of these:

Sunco Lighting 4 Pack Flat LED... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D2L8HHX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This was even easier as the new fixtures are plug-and-play, I just wired an outlet to the old light fixture junction box and plugged them in.


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[TheCougar]

I replaced my garage lights with LED. They have programs that will calculate the type and number of fixtures for your garage. Basically it will ask what activities you do in the garage to determine the proper lumens/sq ft, then it will make recommendations based off that number. The number will surprise you - I ended up with 16 48" LED T8 lamps at 2,600 lumens each, spaced out in 8 dual-tube light fixtures for my 20x30 garage. I thought it was total overkill, but it wasn't and I'm glad I didn't skimp. I installed the lights in two runs using gray electrical conduit attached externally to the ceiling. Way easier than running and fishing wires in a ceiling with no attic access. I ordered everything from Prolighting.com and I was happy with it. Also. really plan out where you put the lights. I staggered the lights and placed them in spots to ensure even coverage and ensure no shadows in critical areas like my workbench and tablesaw.

 

[Thoff1989]

I think there are alot of options out there, I recently removed some old florescent fixtures and replaced them with these, https://www.ruralking.com/maxlite-4300-lumen-led-shop-light-990083 since they were at a local store. The fixtures were plastic but I haven't had an issue with them.

I do plan on installing the 8ft led fixtures in my garage, Amazon has a couple of options and they are relatively cheap.

 

[timmymac24]

good thread here I need to do the same with a Morton building shop thanks for the tips

 

[Elkdreamer]

I retrofitted my fluorescent fixtures by bypassing the ballasts. Then installed T12 LED tubes.

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I did this as well. It worked awesome and they are bright. I also installed some new 4 ft led fixtures in another area. The refitted 8 ft led is brighter than the new 4 ft led. Hope that helps some.

 

[mike stoick]

I work in that industry and I would bypass the ballast and pick up 8ft led direct drive bulbs. Satco has options for around 35 bucks a bulb. Much easier than replacing the whole fixture and for much cheaper.

 

[timberplains]

Tons of info over on Garage Journal forums in the electrical section.

This sticky thread in particular is full of recommendations, including best places to buy from.

The Best Light Fixture Ever!

********************************************* Best bang for the buck LED 4ft 2-lamp strip light as of 5/17/2019: (UL Listings verified for all bulbs) To make one 4ft strip light, you need 2 LED Bulbs and 1 LED Ready Fixture Housing: LED BULBS LEDMyplace WEN-T8-4FT-18WF(4000K) 48" 18W LED T8...

www.garagejournal.com

I used a lot of this info to light up my garage with LEDs. Not a shadow left...


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[waitforit]

I will echo the recommendation to bypass the ballasts and use LED replacement bulbs. Easier and cheaper than changing out fixtures, just takes a little extra work on your end with wiring.

 

[Kenn]

My understanding is that if you use the led lights that don’t require bypassing the ballast they use considerably more power since the ballasts use power. Because of that I did the bypass, which was easy, and used standard led’s.

 

[targetpanic]

I think there are alot of options out there, I recently removed some old florescent fixtures and replaced them with these, https://www.ruralking.com/maxlite-4300-lumen-led-shop-light-990083 since they were at a local store. The fixtures were plastic but I haven't had an issue with them.

I do plan on installing the 8ft led fixtures in my garage, Amazon has a couple of options and they are relatively cheap.

I replaced a dozen 4ft fluorescent fixtures with a dozen of these same fixtures that I got at a ridiculously cheap price. Just put outlets in at the junction boxes...simple to do and made a HUGE improvement.

 

[MTPipeliner]

I’ve got some of the kind that just hang on a chain and plug in as well as some where you bypass the ballast and both work really well. It’s nice that in the winter they start up even when the garage is cold.

I still have a couple 8’ fluorescents and I had to pay a small fortune for the last 8’ bulbs I picked up so I’m waiting until they die to replace those and complete the conversion to LED.

 

[Titan]

Yeah, you always want to direct wire and ditch the ballast.

I searched and priced a new set up in my separate building. The best deal actually ended up being the 4ft LED fixtures from Costco. $20 each for a 2 4ft LED fixture. They are linkable up to 3 or 4 in a row. Great output and color.

 

[go4thegusto]

Do you have single point plates now or strips? Send me your regular email and I can show you one slick thing I did.

 

[dukxdog]

I've changed out lots of florescent in my rental shops and also installed new LED in my home shop. I used Commercial Electric 18,000 lumen lights from Home Depot. They are bright and easy to install. About $100 each. Love them!

 

[Desk Jockey]

So after a bit more research I bought a few of the Sunco LED fixtures and put a string of them in the far side of the garage. Very easy to install. Not a hefty, confidence inspiring build but at just over $21 a fixture delivered, the price is better than anything I could find with that light output. I am going to give them a bit of time to see how I like them but I may go ahead and order up some more to replace the existing fluorescents.

 

[Sharpsman]

I replaced the fixtures in my trap shed that had quit working with led and the difference is night and day(pun intended) but seriously I couldn’t believe how much better they were than the old fixtures