[pdupler]

A couple years ago I bought a bunch of 8 foot T8 LED conversion bulbs off Amazon and went through all the trouble to bypass the ballasts in all my shop fixtures. I was very happy with them for a while, but just all within this last two weeks, nine out of 12 have failed. They've each now got only half its LEDs working and one is in disco strobe mode. Its like when printer companies hard-code cartridges to just stop working on the expiration date even though they're still full of ink. Nowhere near the 45,000 hours they're claimed to last, maybe 450 hours, i.e. 1% of claimed longevity. Looking at Amazon for other alternatives, there's lots of them, but all come from companies that nobody ever heard of and most can't even pronounce.

Given that the fixtures are all quite high up and its a lot of hassle to move all the cars in and out and rearrange shop equipment to replace them, I'd rather spend some money on some decent quality that's going to last at least five years. I mean, heck, I'd always get five years out of the fluorescent bulbs even though they were not as bright. Has anyone else already gotten five years out of any brand of LED fluorescent conversion tubes?

 

[rhartmaier]

P,
I replaced all the fluorescent bulbs in the 4 foot fixtures in my shop with T-8 LEDs a few years ago. And yes, I also rewired each fixture to bypass the ballast, rather than get the bulbs that supposedly can be used with or without a ballast. I don't remember the brand, but they were purchased from 1000Bulbs.com. I am gradually doing the same with all the fluorescent fixtures in my basement as the old bulbs go bad. I don't remember exactly how long ago it was, but so far they all seem to be OK.

Bob

 

[supra_toy]

Not what you asked but...

5000 Lumen 4 ft. LED Hanging Shop Light (harborfreight.com)

I've been slowly replacing all of my fluorescent fixtures for these (when they come on sale for $17), seemed way simpler. Notice immediately improved cold weather performance.

will

 

[rhartmaier]

That's one of the best things about the LEDs is that they are immediately on and fully bright no matter how cold it may get.

 

[Juka]

LED's do work well especially in the cold. So far I've noticed that CFL's last longer than LED's.

 

[Zoe]

Usually it is not the LED themselves that fail, but the power supply unit (capacitors etc). Unless the LEDs are not run with a too high currentt or too hot, they outlast their power supply.

 

[Funkycheeze]

I replaced my 8ft fixtures with 11000 lumen LED units. They are so bright I also fitted a dimmer!

8SLSTP11040DD-UNV | Cooper Lighting Solutions

Our surface mount strip lighting is an LED solution that balances performance, aesthetics, and cost.

www.cooperlighting.com

 

[pdupler]

P,
I replaced all the fluorescent bulbs in the 4 foot fixtures in my shop with T-8 LEDs a few years ago. And yes, I also rewired each fixture to bypass the ballast, rather than get the bulbs that supposedly can be used with or without a ballast. I don't remember the brand, but they were purchased from 1000Bulbs.com. I am gradually doing the same with all the fluorescent fixtures in my basement as the old bulbs go bad. I don't remember exactly how long ago it was, but so far they all seem to be OK.

Bob

Thanks. I'd be inclined to order from their website but they only sell the 8 footers in a case of 10. I need 12 which would mean ordering two cases and having 8 left over. I really don't have a safe place to store the extras. Supposedly a Home Depot some distance from me has some (packaged in pairs) and so I think I'll drive over during the holidays and see if I can get those.

 

[SupRadical]

If you have some sockets on a switch you can throw these into the mix too. I don't see any 12 footers on Amazon.

2 Pack LED Garage Lights, 4 +1 Panels 120W 15000LM-6500K Adjustable Ceiling Garage Light with E26/E27 Screw Base Deformable Lighting for Garage Barn Workshop Warehouse Residential High Bay Light - - Amazon.com

2 Pack LED Garage Lights, 4 +1 Panels 120W 15000LM-6500K Adjustable Ceiling Garage Light with E26/E27 Screw Base Deformable Lighting for Garage Barn Workshop Warehouse Residential High Bay Light - - Amazon.com

smile.amazon.com

 

[rhartmaier]

Thanks. I'd be inclined to order from their website but they only sell the 8 footers in a case of 10. I need 12 which would mean ordering two cases and having 8 left over. I really don't have a safe place to store the extras. Supposedly a Home Depot some distance from me has some (packaged in pairs) and so I think I'll drive over during the holidays and see if I can get those.

When I ordered my bulbs from 1000Bulbs I also needed 12, and they were having a special sale. Now I see that you can only get a decent price if you order a certain size case of bulbs.
We needed a toilet seat in a color that was not available in the store, so I ordered it on homedepot.com. Came in just a few days with free shipping. Very satisfactory transaction. I would recommend it if you don't want to drive to the store. Unless there is a nearbyTexMex restaurant that you want to also visit!

Bob