George’s Upgrade to LED Lights

Looking at upgrading

George’s shop has 8’ fixtures that take two T12 bulbs, and 2’ x 4’ fixtures in a drop ceiling. When George first explored LED workshop lights he would have had to completely replace the 8’ fixtures with new LED fixtures. Very expensive. Today, 8’ LED bulbs that DON’T require a fixture change are available. When you install them you remove (and recycle) the ballast. Rewiring is pretty simple.

The drop ceiling side of the shop

On the drop ceiling side of the shop, which uses 2’ x 4’ fixtures, George did an experiment. In a couple fixtures he swapped out the fluorescent bulbs for LEDs. This requires a high speed ballast. He also completely swapped out a couple fluorescent fixtures for 2’ x 4’ LED fixtures. In the final analysis, he prefers the light that comes from these fixtures.

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15 Responses to “George’s Upgrade to LED Lights”

Mark Keith January 24th, 2022

I also changed my fluorescent bulbs in my shop/garage to LED’s but found a couple I did went out after less than a year, I then ordered permanent LED fixtures from Amazon and installed…very happy so far
Walter C Carlson January 24th, 2022

Fluorescent TUBE, not Bulb!
JOSEPH February 5th, 2021

Thanks! You just saved me more than the cost of membership of WWGOA.
Jerry W Hinkle January 25th, 2021

Are you paying attention to the color of the led tubes? Meaning the heat color or kelvin temperature of the outputof visible light. Also, which color are you using?
Blake Dozier January 25th, 2021

Thank you for the video. My 20'x20' shop has fifteen two tube, four foot, fixtures and the LED replacement costs have been fairly expensive. If I can find them at somewhere close to the price you mention, you may have convinced me. By the way, Bud (down below), doesn't leaving the ballasts hooked up negate some of the electricity savings?
Daryl Magoulick January 25th, 2021

Why does the ballast need to come out? Then do you have to desire it?
David Hart January 25th, 2021

Hi I have changed my work shop tubes to led .All you need to do is disconnect the supply cables and reroot them to one end of the tube as marked on the LED tubes
Alberto January 25th, 2021

Hello George, any advice from an expert about the best light color temperature to use in a woodworker's shop? 2700K, 4500K or 7000K ? Thanks!
Patrick Ewing January 24th, 2021

George, What did you mean by "the florescent lighting may fire if your shop is not heated"? Do you mean they may catch on fire? Regards, Patrick
George Single January 24th, 2021

You can Get the 4 foot T-8 and T-12 on eBay a box of 25 just over $107 They change the same as your 8 foot bulbs Take out the ballast and Wire Directly, Note When you Buy the LED's they Wire in one of Two ways, the Line "L" and the "N" either on one side of the Bulb or the L/line/Black on one end and the N/neutral/white wire on the opposite end, They come in 18 to 22 watts and from 3400k to 6000k choice of Milk or frosted Bulbs, Warm light or Cool white, Your 6000k is a pure white light and the Warm is a yellow light like the screw in tungsten E 26 bulb. I prefer the 22w cool White 6000K and it is the closest to Sun light in colir and it is Best for matching color when painting. https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-100-T8-22W-4ft-LED-Tube-4000K-6500K-Fluorescent-Replacement-Milky-Clear-Lens/263325044446?hash=item3d4f654ede:g:UBAAAOSwbeNdAh2f