Flourescent LED change

November 04, 2011, 02:51:09 pm

Well following Pierce's lead (and others) I decided to change the 2 ceiling Fl" lamps and fixture in the kitchen area to LED. I bought the tube at an RV Place and did not think they were out of line on price. The tube was $34 +tax I got the cool white (no warm white available there) as it is an area needing good light anyway. It is a simple change, just take out the old fixture completely and mount 2 new end fixtures for the pins onto the wood backing, and run a new wire form each end (does not matter which side of pins you use). One lead goes to pos' and the other ground and that is it. You can put this tube in any way and it will work. Following are also some pics of the difference in power consumption between the old ones and the new. Quite a change/saving, and as I hope to use mostly solar power this winter it all helps. I am going to get the wwhite ones for the rest (another 5).
I was going to do what Peirce did and buy the tape and do it myself but as I leave in a week I could not have them shipped to me in time. A little more expensive but only less than 5 mins start to finish. These tubes can also be rotated in 5 degree incriments if you want to direct the light off centre.
pic #6 shows the amp draw before turning lite on. Pic #7 shows the draw with old lite on and pic # 8 is the new lite draw in amps. Quite a difference.
John

Re: Flourescent LED change

Reply #1 – November 04, 2011, 08:06:31 pm

Good job! Love your shots of the readout. Fuzzy math says about a 75 to 80% savings. I that what you figured? Guessing about 18" tubes as we have different models. Light output about the same?

The rolls of LEDs are about the slowest thing I have ordered from Hong Kong/Main China. At least two weeks before they arrive.

Re: Flourescent LED change

Reply #2 – November 04, 2011, 08:28:07 pm

18" correct and the light is around 4500k, looks the same to me.. Saving of power is right. I tried to get decent lamps to replace the bathroom vanity side bulbs but nothing that will look presentable so I will design my own fixture to put one of these tubes inside (warm white one). I will make a test one while away out of Mexican Mahogany as the colour of wood grain is very close to the cabinets.. Should be easy, just have to figure out a nice looking difuser to cover tube.
John

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