T8 Fluorescent To LED Conversion - Upgrading The Shop Lights - Very Easy

With a simple conversion, I retrofit a fluorescent light fixture to accept replacement LED tubes.

This is something that can be done for a more energy efficient tube light or to salvage an old damaged fluorescent light fixture.

Whatever the reason, LED's are the way forward.

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IMPORTANT - Disclaimer!

All of the videos on this channel are intended for entertainment purposes only.

Should you choose to make or do anything as depicted on this channel you would do so at your own risk.

Woodworking and the use of power tools can be extremely dangerous.
The equipment and methods I use may not work for you as it does for me and by no means do I suggest that my methods of
working are correct.
Therefore you should always use your equipment and power tools as instructed by the owners manual supplied by the manufacturer.

Always use protective gear where applicable and never attempt something you are not comfortable doing.

Your shop safety is YOUR responsibility, so therefore I accept NO responsibility or liability for any injuries or accidents you may have if you attempt to do the things that I do.

Please, stay safe and work smart.

[davewatchedthat]

Perfect, thanks. Just moved to a place with older T8 fixtures, couldn't get LED tubes to light. Will definitely take one down and test to make sure this simple conversion works on the old fixture. Great video, mate.

[dougveganparadisebuilder]

Since I am setting up the workshop I bought complete fixtures . With a low ceiling in the sea container I bought it with protective plastic caps. If I hadn't have these I would be with all broken lights by now 😅

[TheGbow]

Thanks for the tutorial, I need to get busy converting my shop lights

[hightower]

I don’t know how you can wear them gloves for fiddly jobs. Awesome series buddy

[zapapnt]

Back in 2012, I replaced the tubes in 15 Fluorescent 2 tube fixtures, with LEDs.
The fluorescent tubes were 40W each, the LEDs are 18W each.
Fluorescent: 30 x 40W = 12, 00W.
LEDs: 30 x 18W = 540W.
That is a 55% reduction in energy usage and money saved, with getting better light.
PLUS, I have not had to replace tubes and ballasts, which I would have done several times, by now (2021).

[Dominik-sdxw]

Had to learn the hard way, that especially LED Lights in a workshop should be on a different circuit than your powertools. These tend to send a voltage peak into the circuit on startup which doesn't bother classic fluorescent lights but it killed my LED tubes twice before I found out what the problem was.

[dennisfahlstrom]

Nice job. On top of saving energy and not putting mercury filled waste into the landfill these beauties put out much more light and the bulbs last almost forever. Win/win/win/win.

[BOBBY-etxb]

Hi I tried converting my light exactly as you did. Blue to neutral yellow and black to live but only one tube lights up. I tried using the four wire method and also only one side of connector works. The tubes are fine. Thanks

[wesleybeks]

Thanks for the tips. Where did you buy the tubes here in Cape Town? What are they going for?

[robt]

Thanks for the prompt response to my earlier question (compressor installation). Another question - do you ever open the garage door behind you? Does the storage system compensate for that in some way or would everything fall off?

[xtraMTpockets]

Well said, and thanks for your advice. I am so glad you dusted off the blue hard hat for that guy who left a comment last time. hahaha

[stun]

Actually, it’s easier with the older fluorescent strip lights...I bought LED tubes, and the only change I had to make was to replace the ‘starter’ with the one that comes with each LED tube...all three old fluorescent tubes changed for new LED tubes in about 5 minutes....no wiring changes involved... I ordered 3 No T8 LED tubes from LEDHut.co.uk...which cost £28.95 including tax and shipping, and each has. 30, 000 hr (guaranteed) life-span...just for interest my old fluorescent tubes, which were still going strong, were 15 years old...

[JohnSawtell]

"Don't fool yourself into thinking they use less electricity than a florescent tube... a watt is a watt... because the LED is more efficient your getting more lumins per watt." What? If your getting more light out of the same power then they are using less electricity by definition. I know what you meant, but it is kind of a silly statement to make. Most people will swap a 35 watt florescent with a LED that brighter but only draws 25-30 watts. In something like a shop that is not being used many hours a day there will not be a lot of money saved because florescent is already pretty efficient to start with. They are great for other reasons like you named though.

[What_I_Make]

Best way is to wire both ends so that you are not required to locate the correct way to position the LED tube around.

[jayoliver]

Good video but you definitely over explained and probably confused noobs.