#400

If you don't feel comfortable with electrical projects PLEASE ask an electrician for help. In this milestone video we'll convert a regular fluorescent shop light into an LED shop light for under $30. This project takes less than five minutes to complete.
Buy the LED bulbs here: goo.gl/fRCUVC
Music attributed to Kevin MacLeod under creative commons.
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[@KimberlyLPruitt]

Dude! 6 years later and you’ve still got the best vid on how to do this. This is the 5th vid I’ve watched on this, and the 1st ont that made sense! Thank you!

[@jerryrivera7704]

DUDE😂 COW POOP

[@haydenfrench8493]

I’m about to do this project in my basement and so I’ve viewed just about every video on retrofitting these lights. By far, you have done the absolutely best job of explaining the wiring setup for the dual ended bulbs. THANK YOU!!!

[@stevejeffries977]

Couldn’t agree more. Just converted a machine shed overhead bench light and all went like a dream exactly per your instructions. Thank you so much!

[@cortnimusic5716]

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[@jimhenry965]

Thanks for the video explaining the difference betweem single sided and double sided LED lights. I watched four other videos and wired it for double sided when I had bought single sided. You were the only one to explain the difference. I was about to call an electrician. You saved me big bucks.

[@danbrown5840]

Probably the best LED T8/12 shop light conversion video for a DIYer

[@wildroseranch1]

This is by far the best video guide I've found to rewire our shop lights, we had 4 bulb 1 balast lights and no one explained this better than you. Also one thing I didn't know was about the dual or single ends, I had to go check and my bulbs needed power on both ends. Thank you thank you thank you and not having music playing while you're talking.

[@dalescumidt562]

Hey! you plagiarized my my thought exactly! LOL

[@LS-zj7kv]

Man Please, I'm sooooo proud of you. I just feel better knowing you are out there.

[@bethfitmarriagebibleprophe4702]

Thank you for this video. I'm a housewife,but this video helped me convert our old fluorescent fixtures into LED. I'm really happy!

[@ceecee8757]

You go, girl!!

[@robertshorthill4153]

@@ceecee8757 yeah, where are all the ladies retro fitting their flourecent lights to LED ? Can't be harder than cooking T--giving dinner for a family, huh? Ladies need manual skills as much as anyone in this day and age, in my opinion.

[@ronz101]

I agree. You helped me. I needed a shove to get started and this did it. 🎉

[@brucehansen1455]

Finally, a video that explains how to do the conversion.

[@dwinsemius]

Much better quality than many of the do-it-yourself efforts on KZbin. Complete and accurate. Some of the other ones are incomplete (covering only one style of wiring.)

[@realstonekicker4371]

Great job young man. Keeping it simple and to the point. Your communication skills and very good. I have five fluorescent fixtures flush mounted and will leave them in place to remove ballast and do the wiring on a ladder. Too much work for me to tear them all down just to rewire per your excellent video. Thanks. ...and yes, I will turn off the circuit breaker and double check with meter.

[@carnutal3627]

I agree as long as access is good.

[@avih7311]

Great Explanation - most other explanations are not clear as to why they connected it the way the did - meaning it is clear now how to connect single ended vs. Two sided. Thanks!

[@zefult]

Great video .. only suggestion I have is for safety 🦺.. when we convert to l.e.d. bulbs take a permanent market & write ( led only ) or if it has use sticker that comes with bulbs. Only reason for that is if bulb goes out & next person tries to install a flurescent bulb it will explode/pop & burn tombstone up.

[@juggnuttz]

i know its almost 4 years later, but after half a dozen videos and websites, this video finally got me to figure this out! thank you! im an idiot when it comes to home improvement stuff and being that my wires were never the same color as what everyone else said (I HAVE NO YELLOWS!!!) but your explanation helped me. thanks again!

[@robertshorthill4153]

juggnuttz. Here's what I did to "convert" different colored wires to show neutrals -- spray paint the last 3 or 4 inches of the wires with white paint on each end before stripping. Then place them in your 'stones like normal

[@carnutal3627]

Great video. You are very talented at giving clear concise directions and the music ain’t bad either 😀 Thank you

[@stoutfarmhousedesignsmlcpr9154]

Excellent video. Some are telling people to switch out tombstones instead of deciding the type of bulb needed shunted or non. Easy instructions

[@johnnylightning58]

Nice job Greg... just a note on the terminology... the L stands for line not load. The bulb is actually the load but in AC electrical terms, the L is the hot side or line and the N is the neutral or common side. You did a great job on the video...in a lot of instructional videos, the host is all talk and no action. Sometimes I just want to toss my iPad across the room. You got to the point and kept it interesting. Thank you!

[@zulfikranzulmos4066]

JohnnyLightning ! Haha it's funny 😆😆 L can means either Live or Load.. It's the same thing.. Don't confused ppl 😁😁

[@robertshorthill4153]

Greg,. Just bought 8 LED bulb tubes for my long suffering shop lighting needs. Paid under $60 for the lot. Color and lumens, etc is acceptable. Feit is the brand they had. Seem to be double ended, but it didn't say as far as I can tell. Wired them up as single sided and they didn't work, so more wire will be used. Hope they work as well as other folks LED convertions do. Yours is a good tutorial, so thanks my friend. Bob. Happy New Year

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

The most important thing is the connection type. Saw many videos on one side connection but I had 2 side connection bulbs. Thanks!

[@user-cx5rl9qg1b]

After watching many videos, this one is the best. Thank you

[@JK-ts8yq]

Thank you for the easy walk thru. Followed your video step by step and my lights are up and running!

[@Rews-fish-shed]

Just built the LED light. Works great lights up the 125 nice. Should look really good after I add the Black Diamond sand to it, a few plants and my old tank will be my new adventure. Thannks

[@ColinKealty]

Just used your guide to rewire an aquarium light for our new LED light, went flawlessly, thanks for the video!

[@Normanb15]

I'm pretty sure you can use shunted tombstones for double ended bulb as its all the same wire going in

[@peterweglinski1408]

I am such a newbie with electrical projects but was able to follow along and alas it worked! Thanks Greg!

[@peterstoops5683]

Your vid is the best explanation I've seen on converting fluorescent to LED

[@realstonekicker4371]

I had received the Sunco brand bulbs and followed your instructions and installed ten lights. They all work very bright. Thanks

[@cynthiax2874]

Hey, thanks a ton ton ton !! I watched A lot of like videos, no one ever said there was a reason for wiring it differently, so when given a choice who would wire it one sided .. and is which what Ive been doing and tripping garage breakers... Diagram helped a lot to!

[@gilguevarra9894]

Thanks for step by step instructions.I was able to convert my bathroom light that has failing ballast.Ordered Sunco led lights from Walmart website which is much cheaper than Amazon.Needless to say my bathroom now is more brighter than before.👍👍

[@DP-hy4vh]

If you use a small nail, saftey pin or needle, you can remove the wires from the tombstones in order to bridge them together and shunt them using short pieces of wire. This cuts down on the number of wires in the wire nuts. Instead of four wires, you have one connecting to the hot or neutral.

[@mark1952able]

Interesting that one only needs one side and using the proper bulb. "They" sales people selling the bulbs make it sound so easy to install. Not one sales person mentioned Shunted or non shunted lamps.....perhaps they do not know, but they should. Great video thumbs up thanks!

[@patf03]

I agree lol ..I'm still kinda confused and I have spent many many hours researching this damn light shit

[@lanceman4365]

This video was a ton of help. I tried to do this on a fixture with shunted tombstones and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. Now I know. Thanks.

[@jasonnewton6208]

we have got clear led tubes 4ft,non shunted,removed the led strips an inserted 3 -150 watt led full spec strips,i used A LED DRIVER TOO,IT WORKED GREAT DID A 4X4 ROOM ON VEG TO FLOWER,4 LED TUBES,RED,BLU,WHITE, TOP SHELF ,HIGH INTENSITY LED STRIPS,NON SHUNTED

[@user-ib7gu8xv3i]

Best video on converting these fixtures, thanks

[@drudavis4406]

Thanks man! Watched a lot of videos about this. You explained everything very well. Best video on this.

[@michaelsavio101]

Excellent job, you are good teacher!!

[@trexinvert]

You're statement to "not use" the shunted tombstone is great. I've seen other videos that mention using shunted tombstones. Confusing.

[@sut2910]

Great video! Unfortunately the Sunco mfr does not have double-ended bulbs now. They only sell single-ended bulbs. I replaced a bunch of fluorescent bulbs with double-ended ones and now if any burn out i will have to rewire fixture for single-ended and mark it as such. I would prefer if they were all the same.

[@leejuhsu]

I love your diagram! Very clear and easy to understand.

[@icyfountain9428]

Nice tutorial but with one exception. If your fluorescent fixture has shunted sockets just use them and save your self a lot of trouble and expense. Its really no trouble to simply connect the wires (or wire) from one end to your hot wire (usually black). Connect the wires (or wire) from the other end to the neutral (white) wire. That's it. You don't have to buy new sockets. Just remember to buy double-ended LED tubes.

[@victorvenegas4832]

thank you for your time.

[@Nitronerd]

Thank you for taking the time to video and share with us your experience. Very helpful. 😀

[@Normanb15]

You can use shunted stones for double ended bulbs as its all the same wire delivering to an end.

[@berlinjackson1847]

Great Job

[@asvpapi]

Great job explaining something that looked daunting. You make it look so easy. Thanks!

[@danbarta5867]

In my 40+ years in electronics/electrical, "L" is for Line (hot), not Load, even though it goes to the load in this case.

[@emptech]

You are right about that, the author admits he knows little about electricity. This video is out dated, at this time, there are many LED "tubes" out there that use 12VDC directly, the terminals are actually marked + and _. The ballasts need to be disconnected and DC power supplies need to be wired in their place. I have seen some replacements that actually have an internal power supply that utilize either directly 115VAC line voltage or still utilize the ballasts. Jim

[@erezlevanon3630]

I saw some videos and you explained the best and also the painting is very understandable. Thanks

[@bugfolk6323]

I saw your video, because I want to try switching over from T8 to LED lights for my houseplants, but I have a problem and that is most of my lamps don't have visible screws to take them apart to find the ballast to remove. The model number on one of them is .234SLESW, rapid start, and the "tombstones" seem to be sealed in as a single plastic unit on each end of the lamp. (these are what I find locally available at Menards.) The bulbs I'm trying to use are GT-Lite T8 grow bulbs. The claim on the box is that they can retrofit a number of older fixtures except "electric chip" though the directions on what works and what doesn't is a bit lacking. It was only in a single place that I found the disclaimer about electric chip ballasts. That said, I have one fixture like the one you used that I can attempt this project upon when I feel ready to tackle it. I haven't removed the ballast and the retrofitted LED works as advertised. The other lamps that I described, do NOT work with the LED lights, even though they are listed on the bulb's box as compatable aka "rapid start", "instant start.". One smoldered and sparked. The other just popped and then shut off. The remaining fixtures I haven't tried. Are these just sort of out of luck, disposable once they quit being useful with old fluorescent lights, or can they be made compatible with LED bulbs?

[@maxxx134]

Very clear explains, nice

[@armandolopez8983]

Great video. Thanks much, this could have been an Electro Boom moment! 😷

[@lancerudy9934]

Great video😊

[@frankpyon2115]

Thank you for the detailed instructions. It was very easy to understand. I think I am now comfortable to try it.

[@manoharsinghmankoo9554]

Thx sir for the sketch diagram found v. Easy

[@TangodownNZ]

It looks like you could use shunted for you double sided diagram, instead of running two wires into one end, because you will have power to both pins with one wire. You would short the single side light with shunted though. Thanks for the video

[@calebtysz3892]

Thanks very much for the clear instructions! This was very helpful!

[@tw2698]

Very nice! I also just found a 20-Pack T8 LED Light Tube, 4FT, 18W (40W Replacement), 5000K (Day Light), 2400lm, Frosted Cover, Dual-End & Single-End Powered, Works with/without ballast, Shatterproof, UL & DLC. It’s worked out well for me.

[@talanunu5097]

I subscribed because I genuinely learned A LOT from this video. Thank you so much for your detailed guidance!

[@rafikhan908]

Awesome indeed Greg. Best explanation with a clear video.

[@CaptainSavageAquatics]

Great video Greg! I'll have to do this project on my older 48" shop light! I appreciate the tutorial it's going be very helpful! I'll post a video of me doing what you just did but I'll give you credit of course in the video and in the description!! Thank again!! :P

[@SEWE55]

Thanks Greg, great video, works like a charm. Very clear demo and was easy to do the retrofit.

[@bradleycreech5245]

,

[@sacrux]

Would seem cheaper to just buy a wood plank(cut to the size of the bulbs) and then purchase an electrical cord, wiring, tombstones and do it that way. Maybe add some mylar and make your own reflector. Just make sure you find a way to ground it. Also would need mount hooks + chains.

[@patrickkruger5310]

It would be wise to check each "Tombstone" connector with an OHM meter to insure you don't have shunted connectors!

[@sandmastermaster]

The bulb is the load. The black conductor is the line

[@zulfikranzulmos4066]

Hey Grey.. I did test the t8 philps led with shunted lampholder since the new casing bought is thinner and used only 1 wire at both ends.. Nothing really happened.. Then, i tested with normal Non shunted and walla it works.. I think the casing meant for double sided led.. But the label on the philps says other way around.. Glad the led wasn't damaged..

[@jlathem56]

Awesome demo Greg. If you do a followup could you watch out for the colorization of the fish, watch for a temp from them, and maybe put some plants under them to see how the do? Thanks! :)

[@1980khmer]

Great video very helpful. Your video is best .

[@michitakakono3083]

Very much helpful video, many thanks!!

[@parvez182]

Brilliantly explained in detail ! Thank you very much.

[@AraceaeFanatics]

Looks like shunted would work fine for a double sided bulb.

[@matthewgregory8218]

Great work

[@williamvelazquez2059]

I have a bulbs the can be content to just one end or both ends

[@alwayssearching1882]

Great instructions. Lonely orange fish makes me sad.

[@jgwalling]

You can use shunted on double-ended bulbs you just cannot use shunted on single-ended bulbs

[@kirkj2573]

Great comment. Shunted would have worked here.

[@arneschonberger]

Costco has a two led light fixture with led bulbs. Why not buy a new fixture with bulbs already installed? There is very bright and sells for about 20 dollars!

[@eliseintheattic9697]

Because those lights are part of the fixture. You cant replace them if they burn out. Also he bought a fixture to illustrate the process, but a lot of people already have the lamps, they just want to change to LED bulbs. I did buy one of the built in types, and depending on where you need them, they are great.

[@idatoo]

It would be nice if you did a video for single ended led tube.

[@dennish4304]

From my understanding, If you have a T-12 Fluorescent fixture it will be Non-shunted.

[@pdhal1]

How to check if its shunted.

[@Reinaldo7068]

good job amigo , very simple thank you.

[@litoloco4fish]

Great help brother thank you!!! I saw a bunch of tutorials with electricians and sounds like there speaking Greek

[@HomeOrchard]

Great video! I saved it as a tutorial for an upcoming four lamp kitchen light LED project. Any thoughts on the $6.97 shop light LED bulbs from Harbor Freight?

[@lsnk33]

Excellent video and very educational, you should be a teacher man. hehehe. Thanks and I am going to fix my led lights in the garage now

[@loganq]

@ 17:00 that poor lonely fish.

[@DJ_LittlePea]

Your just so knowledgeable and helpful .... great video Greg 🤗🤗

[@gregjonesonline]

Thanks PB!

[@BebopbeypBBB4th]

Best informational video💯💯💯

[@bobniles1928]

Better to connect the red and blues to the hot black, connect the yellows to the white neutral.

[@chatonthego5101]

thanks, happy 2019, very clear demonstration, solved my problem

[@rogerthemailman25]

Great video ,thanks! I see a lot of people converting from old fluorescent to T-12! Home depot sells this exact shop light for $13.30....+2 led tubes from(Amazon)$11 each=$22! I got me a great light for just under $40! I'm in my 70's,,& I would enjoy buying this shop light,,, order the tubes & build(convert) this light my question??? Whats the ""advantage"" over building this thing vs just buying a new LED shop light???

[@michaelcollins1899]

The difference is money. You spent about 40, converting cost about 22. once you do one, they take 10 mins to do each. So you spent 18 xtra bucks for 10 mins!!! And thats ok if you make 18 bucks every 10 mins, but most people dont. Thus why most of us convert.....not to mention we are filling landfills with old light fixtures, we are reusing sometging that has nothing wrong with it.

[@armorboy24]

Ok so each tombstone needs 2 wires coming out and all 4wires on side to to the black and all 4 on the other side go to the white wire .... so if one side only had 2 wires one on each tombstone that wont work will it and yes there the non sockets

[@lostinmyspace4910]

I have an old neon light fixture using the fat neon tubes and ballast. The ballast is faulty, and I want to convert to T8. Do all the tombstones have to be replaced to accommodate the skinnier T8, or will the pins still work in the older tombstones? THUMBS UP!!

[@joecraft4409]

Your video was the easiest one I understood to date. My question is not light related, what’s the humidity level there in the “Fish” room? 😳

[@totiegarcia4530]

Currently, my kitchen using 6 T8 Florescent Lights / 3 ballast or TWO florescent per ONE Ballast. Is it possible to replace only ONE PAIR with LED and the remaining TWO Florescent will remain connected, All 3 Ballasts powered by ONE SINGLE wall switch. Will the OLD Florescent Lights affect the circuitry of the LED Light Tube. The reason I'm converting only ONE was because the existing ballast of the florescent was DEAD.

[@rockhardy2163]

This really helped, thanks!

[@Jet-ok7qm]

This is great! Thanks!

[@Rags722]

Great description, however, the bulbs you link to are single ended so the directions given will NOT work for anyone using your directions and the bulbs you suggest.

[@Rags722]

And I know it is an easy fix for the average DIY'er, but not so easy for someone giving it a shot for the first time. Could involve tombstone replacement or even damage to the new bulb.

[@QuietMikeW]

does it matter which side of the fixture you make the hot? left or right, and does it matter which way you put the bulbs in?

[@kelvinchamberlin20]

How do you put a pull chain on that light to shut it off

[@vancuongbetting4381]

I appriciate what you did that making you lost a lot of time, many thanks

[@xlupta00]

nice video Greg, thanks

[@chuckholmes9951]

I messed with it for quite awhile and got disgusted with it. I bought 12 Barrina single lamp T-5's and mounted, installed and enjoyed! The 12 Barrina fixtures were about 90 dollars on Amazon I think. They have plug in wiring and instructions if you need them. Now back to retrofitting now that I've seen this video and his explanation on lamp selection and types of wiring. I'm reusing old fixtures because they are there. I have ten T-8 lamps and I can because I can. Fortunately I only have three to do at this time. More later.

[@ahmedhashmi3584]

Funny that you said that nobody uses t12 anymore...I was at a Home Depot where I live, and a sales person told me that nobody uses t8 anymore when I was looking for a t8 version of a fixture lol..

[@TrueNovice]

It's strange that they have not standardized the wiring for LED tubes - some a re single sided wires with a dead end and the others have powers on both end with one side hot and the other is neutral. Shouldn't you have tested the old tombstones to see if they were shunted or not? In an a very old fluorescent with a starter are they usually shunted or not?

[@MrDave-bs7tc]

Great video! First one that actually shows how to do it. Is there anything special to do if you have a T12 setup or do the bulbs work in either?