Convert Fluorescent Shop Light to Direct Wire LED (bypassing/removing ballast)

Pretty easy upgrade in technology & efficiency for your basement, garage, or business lights.
I had a handful of shop lights that went bad - not lighting up anymore even with new traditional T12 bulbs. Rather than replacing the ballasts, I cut out the ballasts and direct wired the fixture to the house wiring, and then installed LED bulbs designed for this. Saves money compared to new ballasts, and the lamps use less electricity.
You’ll notice I emphasize the Lead/Hot end of the fixture from the Neutral side. This is the key to the project.

[@joeearls8878]

The label IS mission critical. It's especially important that anyone replacing bulbs later is aware the fixture has been converted, so that they don't try to reinstall a regular fluorescent tube. Also, the person purchasing replacement bulbs needs to know what kind of bulbs to buy, whether type B single-ended or double-ended or other types of LEDs. They shouldn't have to remove the wiring cover first to figure out how the fixture has been wired.

[@mattmulry7329]

Good point! Thanks for watching, hope it was helpful.

[@beachcouple1741]

I think you should mention that these bulbs are type B double ended. Type B single ended would need to be wired differently.

[@lloyd8709]

Code says need a connecter to protect the wire entering the fixture

[@stevebabiak6997]

Time stamp 3:54

[@duained.worden9576]

We have type A bulbs and type.B which are wired different.

[@marcuswhite1403]

I have some like that. They are plug and play

[@marvinmartin4692]

Where do you get these bulbs? Do they come in different lengths?

[@kaci7789]

What if you have a daisy chain of light fixtures, how do you bypass the ballast?? Is the concept the same?

[@someperson4712]

I got the exact same fixture, but the wires in my fixture seem to be 20 guage. Will it be fine if the wires are that small?

[@jeromeleonardi177]

Wouldn't it make more sense to pigtail the reds and the blues and then wire to to hot wire so the wire nuts only have 3 wires within each?

[@mattmulry7329]

Yep, great idea - that would definitely be easier (as long as you have 1 additional wire nut handy).

[@sl1237]

Strange, I thought with the GE Direct Wire tubes it didn't matter which way the tube was installed? Also, is it safe to use a ballast bypassed two bulb LED fixture with only one bulb installed if I find it too bright? Read somewhere that empty sockets powered on could be a hazard.

[@mattmulry7329]

On mine there was a Lead side, and a Neutral side, clearly labeled on each tube, as shown in the vid. HTH YMMV

[@xtek465]

I don't think it makes any difference. Consider this setup as two lamps plugged into an outlet with a light inserted in one and not the other. The lamp analogy is dangerous due to the shock hazard of an empty socket in the one lamp. However, you don't have to worry about with this overhead fixture.

[@JeffAMay]

Idk if it matters with this style bulb but i know FOR SURE that on a single pin 8ft led bulb there is no "Load" or "Neutral" end of the bulbs you can put them in either or and they will work just fine.

[@mattmulry7329]

7:20 Cool that’s great. In the situation I’m in - dual pin Type B 4’ residential, changing from fluorescent to LED - the bulbs clearly show a Neutral and a Lead. See 7:20 in the vid. The way I did it continues to work. If you do yours differently, please report back on how it went. That would be helpful. Thanks for the comment.

[@JeffAMay]

​@@mattmulry7329I did exactly the same thing you did changed my old 8' florescent bulbs to led, hardwired them and junked the ballast. Not saying your not right with your situation I'm just saying with a single pin type 8' T8 - T12 led bulb from Amazon it makes no difference which way the bulb is mounted.

[@JR-fw4jv]

Are all ballast bypass bulbs wired in this manner or are you just going through the motions and hoping it works?

[@mattmulry7329]

Dunno mate, I’m not an electrician or bulb designer. I followed the instructions in the box and made a video that will hopefully help some people. Good luck.

[@billsee476]

wire nuts have been banned here in new zealand as unsafe. use a screwed connecter instead

[@UNITED2009100]

Turning the power off when changing any bulbs is a good idea. Saw one explode in a guys hand one time. Not pretty! You should put cable clamps on the power wires coming into the fixture.

[@stevebabiak6997]

At 3:55 a Romex connector is needed where the white Romex cable passes into the fixture past the potentially sharp metal edges of that hole. So your comment on that was correct.

[@brandonkelley588]

Does it really matter what color wire nuts do I use.

[@mattmulry7329]

Not at all. The color of the wires matter, but not the color of the wire nuts. But it is important that you use nuts that are the appropriate size - you don't want it too small if you're tying 4 wires together, don't want one of those wires working its way out.

[@michaelgray4693]

What bulbs did work. Please give me the mfg and model #.

[@mattmulry7329]

I don’t have that info available in front of me, but the box is pictured and discussed at the beginning of the vid. GE brand I believe. Purchased at Lowes.