shop lights

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

When I built my shop several years ago I put in 10 sets of 4' fluorescent lights. I was in Walmart a couple months ago and remembered I needed some spare T8 bulbs, and noticed that had LED bulbs that were direct replacement for the T8 and T12. No wiring changes needed, and they were just under a dollar higher than standard T8, so I bought a pair. The instructions emphasized making sure the light was turned off, in about 3 places, other than that, just a normal change of bulbs. I was impressed with the brightness. I would estimate about 50% brighter than any of my other fluorescent lights in the shop, including ones I had only replaced a couple months before.

My old tired eyes appreciate the brighter light. Now all I need to do is convince myself to spend enough money to replace the other 9 sets in the shop, and 3 sets in the basement.

[MiCarl]

LEDs are great. I recently replaced upgraded the kitchen to 4' LED fixtures. The Mrs. really likes being able to see what she's doing.

I switched to LEDs in the garage too. This side of age 29 any extra light is very helpful.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

[quote="MiCarl........This side of age 29 any extra light is very helpful.[/quote]Try the upper side of 70.

[Slim140]

My boss had ours changed at work, think there’s 24 of them 8’. They had to change the ends and middle of the fixtures for the 4 small bulbs. They got done after I left one day and when I opened up the next morning it looked the sun came up in the building. Well worth the money for the brightness and energy savings.

[Dale Finch]

I also replace my flickering, cold sensitive fluorescent tubes with some LED's. What a difference! Instant full bright! And if you keep an eye out, you can find them on sale.

My sister just bought 6 2-packs of 4' LED light fixtures for her garage, that were on sale from COSTCO...$49.99 for each 2 pack, and free shipping . They have a powercord, a pull cord, 3 fixtures can be linked together and they have a motion sensor that can be on or off. I had already bought some similar ones for my tractor shed, but these are a bit nicer, as they have a "lens" over the tubes.

Guess the price went back up, and shipping isn't free now!
https://www.costco.com/Feit-4'-Linkable-LED-Shop-Light-2-pack.product.100462723.html

[Lt.Mike]

When I moved into my present home I added up the wattage of my basement lights with the incandescent bulbs it was over 900 watts. I switched to floresent curly bulbs bringing it to a little over 100 watts and I set to changing it all over the house and outside. Yes they stink in cold temps taking forever to get bright and they don’t last if their cold. Switching to LEDs cut the wattage even more but cold has no effect on them, instant brightness and in my lamp post that used to eat bulbs I put LEDs in and done! No further issue.
When I built my work bench I installed LEDs over its full length wired in series to light with one switch but each has a pull chain so I can select which I want lit. I have 4’ers in boxes and am slowly replacing the remaining lights in the barn to be all LED. It’s the way to go!
4’ strip lights are 40watts and the LED replacements should be a third of that.
It’s worth doing for that reason alone.
You won’t see them flicker like failing flouresants either. Is there anything that can tire yours eyes or give you a headache like that can?

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I have been using LEDs in many things, but was surprised the find the tubes to use them in standard fluorescent fixtures. Only about $9 per pair.

[Frozenstate]

The best way to replace the flourecsent tubes is to get rid of the big energy consuming ballasts and use bulbs that get wired direct to 120v. You just pull the ballast out and run the hot wire to one tombstone and the neutral to the other. You rarely even need anything to do this. If you cut the wires close to the ballasts you usually have enough wire.Also get higher color temperature for work areas. I have been using 6000k. Everyone really likes them. If you get them in and they flicker, you have a bad connection somewhere. I have found it could be anything from a bad breaker to a loose neutral in the panel, or a switch wired using the push in connections that are always a bad idea.they seem very sensitive to voltage in that respect.

[inairam]

There are a number of options for the T8 bulbs. There are direct replacements but cutting the ballasts out of the wiring and direct wiring to 120 will provide the most energy savings with the LEDs. I do it as we have a problem light at work.

[coppersmythe]

was walking through costco also , and spotted them on sale , entire fixture ,pullchain ,bulbs , for $ 19.99 . they are back up to $29.99 . it is amazing how much brighter , and a better temperature ( closer to daylight it seems ) . i have my lighting setup with outlets on the ceiling in between pairs of lights . just plug in the light , pull the chain , all connected to a light switch at the door . one flick , they all come on . coppersmythe.........................

[outdoors4evr]

There are direct replacements but cutting the ballasts out of the wiring and direct wiring to 120 will provide the most energy savings with the LEDs.

Totally agree with this! It is an easy conversion to eliminate the ballasts.

[Frozenstate]

If you are hesitant to remove the ballasts you can get AB 4' bulbs now that work with or without the ballast. Then later when the ballast fails or you get time you can direct wire them. My electric supplier only had them in 3000k though. I buy almost all of my bulbs through Amazon.
If you have HO bulbs with the spring loaded rectangular tombstone end make sure to get the bulbs with ends that rotate or you may need to get tombstone oriented horizontal. The led bulbs only give light out at 180°. You can also get them that have led strips on both sides for two sides signs. What is great is that you get way more light, about half the energy consumption all for less cost than new bulbs and ballasts would cost.
I replaced 24 4' bulbs on a sign, it was using almost 8 Amps before and after only 4.1 amps and way more light. The business owner looked at that and had me replace every bulb in his kitchen and prep area. It really is impressive. The other big bonus is the led's dont care about temperature. No humming and low light on startup in your cold shop. The only downside is the start time has a very short lag. But you get instant light in a split second.

[JimCub48]

I have 10 200 watt incandescent bulbs in the shop I wonder if I switch them out to 200 watt led equivalent bulbs would that brighten the shop up , and cost less to use. Also can you put led bulbs on motion detection switches. Thanks

[outdoors4evr]

The LED bulbs do work with motion detection.

[Drfting1]

The LED bulbs do work with motion detection.

I changed everything over to LED including my motion detection light.... everything works perfect