Convert T8 / T12 Fluorescent Tube Light to Single End Powered LED T8 Tubes by Total Lighting Supply

[@davidstrong7212]

I bought two kits for my office. Worked like a charm. If the bulbs last as long as advertised, it's well worth the investment.

[@buzzydj]

Was going to spend some $$$'s hiring an electrician to perform the LED modification but thanks to this vid, I was able to figure it out and do it all on my own. Did all four fixtures in one night. Thanks so much for the upload. After watching a few others, this was actually the most clear and precise as far as detailed directions and demonstration.

[@Mecambrea77]

I worked for an electrical contractor and we replace a whole building from fluorescent to led, but we used the existing sockets when they were in good shape and we had no issue at all

[@tamer1773]

This conversion kit is great. Ordering is easy and it was shipped very quickly. I'm only marginally handy with electricity. I'll replace light switches and outlets and wall and ceiling fixtures, but I always hated dealing with fluorescent ballasts. I used this kit on a four tube fixture over my workbench when one of the ballasts went toes up. It's the nearest thing to idiot proof you'll find. All of the parts needed come with it and this video gives a clear, concise tutorial that makes the job easily manageable for just about anyone. If you can change a fluorescent tube you can probably do this conversion. I have another burned out ballast in another fixture and I'm going to use this kit again. The only thing I might change is to use the soft white instead of the bright white kit for that part of the basement.

[@josedavid3751]

My boss never told me i had to change the tombstone,i guess you learn something new every day...Thank you

[@hammer0987654321]

I bought 4 LED 4' 5000K just now from your website I will use this video to help me replace my old tubes in my kitchen. Wish me luck!

[@tamer1773]

This is a five star product if ever there was one. This is one of the easiest electrical projects you can do. The trickiest part is removing the various covers over the ballast and the connectors since they differ from model to model. If you really take your time and you are at all handy this will take you about thirty minutes a fixture. If you do more than one at a time you'll be amazed at how fast you'll be done. The kit is perfect, the connectors are almost foolproof and the light is terrific. All of my basement lights are four foot four tube fixtures and there are fourteen of them. As the ballasts burn out, which they're doing more and more as the equipment ages, I'll replace them with this setup.

[@FateGathersStudios]

I love the red tape on the breaker as a lockout, I bet OSHA approves.

[@ibenripped]

***** Lockouts on breakers absolutely necessary. Red tape is a no no no. I will take the bet, how about your company assets against mine.

[@kengo671]

Bought 3 kits last weekend, very easy to install, less than 1 hour to convert 3 lights

[@dontosti6390]

This video missed the most important part of the job. They shut off the breaker in the panel box but they forgot to test the hot wire to ground when they removed the wire nuts. It is very easy to turn off the wrong breaker . Always test before performing any kind of electrical work. Don Fuzzy

[@mikedehooghblackflagracephotos]

Man what a great vid. I wish all instructional videos were this clear.

[@JayJr.]

Thanks for the excellent video tutorial. I'm now ready to convert all my basement fluorescent bulbs. Two thumbs up! :)

[@1tombensky]

Great video! I watched it, ordered the kit and just finished installing it. Works fine. Thanks!

[@mrstanskaggs1]

Maybe it would be a good idea to place some kind of label that the fixture has been swapped over to LED so that someone later will not be trying to insert a flourescent bulb in the sockets... just a suggestion.

[@joewaldvogel6991]

+Stan Skaggs I did this myself. Installed a Label I made that said LED Conversion, 277 VOLTS, power this End. Just use a simple Label maker.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Stan, we have added a label to our kits to better communicate the fixture has been retrofitted. Thank you for the suggestion :)

[@marsdahustler]

Been try to convert my fluorescent bulbs for a while now. Excellent tut. Will be buying the retro kit from the site.

[@vincevengeance9755]

this man explain every little thing to the more detail parts. good video.

[@possummanrld]

Excellent video! It was clear, concise, thorough, and informative! Thanks!

[@adampalmer5063]

Great instructions on how to change a T8 bulb. Thanks!

[@tenerceeman]

I have an extra (RED) wire coming into my fixture... I suppose it is due to me having milti fixtures (4) controlled by two switches (3-way switch). What do I do with this red wire?

[@arifisher]

Did you replaced 3 of the 6 tombstones? The 3 remaining shunted tombstones don't matter right?

[@joewaldvogel6991]

+Ari Fisher You would only need to replace the 3 on the one end as that's where it gets the power from. I of course pick the end that's closest to where the power comes in at. The other end you can just cut the wires off short and leave it alone. The only purpose they have still is to hold that end of the T8 LED bulb up in the air. Of course if you have a broken one that won't hold the bulb up, then replace it with one of the old one's you removed.

[@fredwoods9030]

My wife and I, love your demonstration, on changing out floured bulbs with t8 leds, do you make bulbs for fixtures over paintings, we need to change all the bulbs we currently use.

[@Totallightingsupply]

We are glad your video helped in your installation. We do sell many different styles of LED bulbs. It really depends on the type of bulb your fixtures use. You can find our complete LED bulbs offering here: www.totalbulklighting.com/led-lamps.html Also, for further questions please connect with us at our "Contact Us" page here as we respond very quickly there: www.totalbulklighting.com/contacts/

[@bluecollarmoneymatters8246]

Thanks very much. Greatly appreciated. Simplified and concise!

[@richardeberting2468]

Can anyone tell me why both time he when he turned the fixture on, the middle light took an extra second to turn on? They are all wired exactly the same, so seems unusual.

[@geowhiz1]

I have watched the video several times and find it very informative and useful. What gauge and type of wire(solid or stranded) is used for the tombstone conversion? Again thank you for this video, I have 8 units to convert and want to do it right the first time. This video is a great help.

[@SonnetGomes]

This is very helpful video. Thank you for sharing this. I need to replace my tube lights with LEDs.

[@PearsAreOkay]

Great video. About to take on my own fluorescent fixtures using this method. Question: since I don't need to collect bugs on the solid, prismatic, plastic cover for the original fluorescent fixture anymore (assuming no heat from LEDs), where can I find a 4ft light cover that is open and as sharp-looking as that metal grate seen at the end of your video? Thanks for uploading and sharing your knowledge with the community.

[@KBzPTGT]

I realize this in not a video about DRL but was wondering if you can use 1 DRL LED tube and 1 fluorescent tube together in a 2 tube fixture? Great video btw ;)

[@Crablady192]

Thanks so much for this video. It provided the info I needed to switch out my lighting. Great video!

[@johnlee8523]

I have a bunch of single bulb units at work that are actually supposed to be updated to a new LED setup but the cost of 18 lights is around $2,500! So we haven't bothered with it yet but I was wondering how many of these can be plugged together? Max on the current ones is 10 which is all we need as the longest "strand" is 10 lights but I'm wondering if I could do this. Rough cost this way would only be $400! I actually ended up with the old lights from another store because they got the new lights so score for me lol.

[@jeffaicher1245]

Very helpful video. Thank you. One question: Is it common for one of the tubes to have a delayed start, as with the one in your vid?

[@keithreynolds7740]

Although it does not mater which end is powered, you might want to power the end closest to where power comes into the fixture. Keeping your wires short may mean less work to keep them from pinching. Plus if you do a lot of these, you can recycle your copper.

[@boomerpo8064]

Keith Reynolds you don't need the kit.

[@jineshn]

Thx for the video. It is very useful. In my setup, have 4 tubes and did the connections successfully now the lights turn on. But the problem is, it is does not turn OFF(always ON). Noticed that I have two set of cables coming from the ceiling, one set comprises(3 cables) white, black & ground(exposed copper cable) and the other set comprises(4 cables) white, black, red & ground(exposed copper cable). Tried the following combinations: 1. all white in one and all black in one, with first set of cables, turns on and do not turn off(switch is in OFF position), and switch does not operate 2. all white in one and all black in one, with first set of cables, turns on and do not turn off(switch is in OFF position). RED is unused(capped) and switch does not operate. 3. Combined white to white and black to back from both first and second set. RED is unused(capped). Turns on and do not turn off(switch is in OFF position). Switch does not operate. 4. To combination #3 added RED to white, switch is in OFF position and light turn ON. When switch is turned on "BUMB" main switch trips. 5. To combination #3, added RED to white, switch is in OFF position and light turn ON. added RED to white, switch is in OFF position and light turn ON. Any tips on how to make switch work.

[@denizocreations8096]

SR, your video is perfect,congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@edmiller6227]

Very good video and kit to replace T-8 bulbs.

[@dannygab9929]

Yeh, good video, the only thing that he forgot to mention is that some T8 LED get their power from both side of the bulb.. and that cost me at least an hour of my time!

[@raulmiguelramos]

***** Some lamps from China or close have the hot on one side and the neutral on the other side. Each side are in short, so very very carefully.

[@pbuchta1]

Well done! Very thorough and methodical.

[@paulotoole1508]

Great video, I am doing several in my hone that are single tubes so it will be easy after watching your video.

[@ghosttycoon2315]

I used my old sockets with LED tubes. Will that be ok? It's working fine

[@alaskanwolf7262]

So the power leads are only on one side of the LED replacement?

[@gandolf696]

Nice Video, but where can I buy the tombstone prewired connectors?

[@Totallightingsupply]

You can find it here: www.totalbulklighting.com/led-lamps/t8-led-lamps/non-shunted-tombstones-sockets.html

[@cathyanderson8197]

How do you know if you have shunted tombstones on an old shoplight? It's a 2 lamp shoplight, but do you have to take it apart to figure it out? and what am I looking for to tell whether its shunted or non-shunted? Thank you for being such a thorough teacher.

[@Totallightingsupply]

We have a video about tombstones here. This might help :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGfblmhqpNeJhLs

[@beasly10]

Great video. Very informative and thorough.

[@b.w.9244]

1) If I somehow mess up the little connector, can't I just wire nut them all together? 2) Want to replace a bunch of 4 bulb fixtures. Can I just use 2 higher wattage LED tubes? Tenants dont even seem to notice when 3 of 4 bulbs are out, for cryin' out loud!

[@s.bokowski8627]

Hi, i used your method for installing a toggled led 16watt cool white 4000k on 4 ft fluorescent. Replaced the 2 ends with the new tombstone , put black and white wire 16 gauge , other end replaced with new 2 nd tombstone no wiring with the other tombstone. Is this ok to do on this type of bulb. It is working . Thanks for the tuturial - learned alot.

[@stockloc]

Thanks for this. Interesting how they don't use ballasts, eh? That's really efficient.

[@911truthfarmer]

Superb video my friend! Thank you immensely.

[@quichap]

Does it matter if the dead socket side is shunted or non shunted?

[@Harpadzo]

Hm. What pin connect configuration for converting a 4-light fixture? Will it have to accommodate 8 or 9 wires? Or jump across and treat them as if they were two, 2-lamp fixtures?

[@monkeyflingingpooh]

***** I guess the question would be,, in what configurations do you sell these kits? (1) lamp conversations? (2)? (4)? Or only 3 lamp? Also, D. Doyle Reynolds, are the 4 lamp fixtures the newer T8 Instant start fixtures or are you talking about the older T12 Rapid start fixtures. The wiring configuration is different and the use of shunted and un-shunted sockets are different

[@BlueSky-qv7cd]

I always thought that Fluorescent lights were more efficient than standard light bulbs, so how much more efficient are LEDs over Fluorescents.

[@jimwiskus8862]

Great video! In regards to connecting all the black wires together & all the white wires together there doesn't appear to be a specific order for the same colored wires to snap into the connector. Does that sound right? Obviously all black wires are connected together, then all the white. Thanks!

[@Totallightingsupply]

That is right. The order of all the black wires connected together doesn't matter. Equally so for the white wires.

[@alanry64]

Great job!

[@mattjones3871]

Thanks great video i know what I'm doing today !

[@ezharoddinsayyed9014]

Well explained & precisely done.

[@terryblack4926]

Great job on the video..Thanks.. Easy to understand. I am going to try this..Thanks again.

[@JamieEnglish]

Thank you for this video. It helped me tremendously.

[@stevene2812]

Hello. What do you have that would replace F48T12/CW/HO? The bulbs say 60watts, so I'd like an equivalent. Thank you.

[@Totallightingsupply]

The best thing to do is contact our customer service department here: www.totalbulklighting.com/contacts/

[@jamminrod]

Why not just shorten all the lines and make the other end the power end of the lamp? Just seems a waste of all that wire to send 3 lines 4 feet.? Or do you have a reason for that? Thanks

[@kb9mna]

Ive done this but I was in the video you show you bring the wires all the across the other end of the fixture instead of right where the wires are coming out of the ceiling. Any reason for that?

[@jeffaicher1245]

I have never seen the connectors you used to connect the four wires together. Can you tell me what they are called &/or if your store has them?

[@ksharpe7340]

I have a dumb question. Why didn't you wire the new non-shunted tombstones on the end where the house power (line) voltage came in through the fixture? You picked the other end... furthest from the line voltage black and white neutral wire... and then had to stuff all 6 of those 4 foot long 18 gauge wires into the ballast cover.

[@joewaldvogel6991]

+K Sharpe I think to better show people in the Video. But you're right. When I did a few of them. I did the end closest to where the power comes in. I also wired it using short wires, Plugging directly into one tombstone to the Next tombstone. All the black on one side, all the white on the other side. Each side of a Tombstone has 2 connection points!!! So 2 black wires and 2 white wires and plug directly into each of them. You'll have a free spot to plug in a long white and black wire to the main power source. The other end, you can just cot the wires off short as they do nothing but hold the LED T8 bulb up in the air.

[@BSquared1000]

+K Sharpe, I had the same thought. He answers the question earlier: "We did this so you can see them up large."

[@dreamfly555]

What happens if a non-LED tube is installed accidentally after the modification? Will the normal tube explode or just glow a little on the power side?

[@joewaldvogel6991]

+K NG I would assume it would Pop or something. It's not going to glow a little as there's no longer a ballast. This is why you should LABEL. I'll put a Label on saying something like LED Conversion, 277 Volts, This end Power. Stick the Label on that end. For you it may be 120 volts. All the lights here where I work have 277 volts going to them. I really don't see this as a huge issue. It's LED's and they should last for years. Something like 20-30 years. What's you're chances of having to ever replace it again for being dead? These won't burn out like the old bulbs which seems like I'm always replacing.

[@frankluzzi681]

+K NG If you accidentally put a t8 or t12 tube in place of the led tube, you and anyone else in the room will be instantly vapourized. It is recommended to put the warning label on the fixture. ;)

[@lindaalles9495]

what about fixtures with on/off pull chains? must it be disconnected? i would like to keep that feature.

[@joewaldvogel6991]

+Linda Alles A pull chain is connected to a switch. Unless you remove the switch, that would have no effect. The Ballast would be removed from the switch, and the straight wiring would go directly to the switch. Should be a non-issue. You're basically cutting out the middle Man (The ballast).

[@gregmartin6237]

If I am converting from a T12 fixture, do I need to replace the tombstones on the non-working side?

[@Totallightingsupply]

If the non-electrically connected side tombstones are in good working order there is no need to replace. However, if the tombstones are brittle or damaged in any way we strongly recommend replacing.

[@kennel1102]

So I assume then that it's ok to have a shunted tombstone on the non-powered end as the pins don't power anything and are not connected to one another - yes?

[@Totallightingsupply]

Yes, you can keep the original shunted tombstones for the non-powered / not electrically connected end. We recommend replacing them if the plastic has become brittle :)

[@runteamneal]

My old florescent bulbs are F32 T8/735. Would a T8 LED to the correct replacement?

[@Totallightingsupply]

Your old fluorescent bulbs are T8, use 32watts and have a color temp of 3500K based on the part number you supplied, F32 T8/735. You would need a retrofit kit to make the change but yes you can you T8 LED. Here's a link to our kits: www.totalbulklighting.com/led-lamps/t8-led-lamps/retrofit-kits.html

[@scottalexander9190]

any reason you don't just daisy chain the tombstones? Less chance of a hot wire getting pinched

[@AdiAbhizPapa]

Scott Alexander That's exactly what I was thinking too.

[@drkidd25]

Awesome video. Thanks!!

[@robertdurrant3189]

Good ol' 4' Troffers...

[@moonamigo]

Love your videos!...

[@golferrrrrr]

Does anyone know how to wire a double T8 led fixture that is hooked up to a motion sensor? Thanks

[@robertovilla974]

are they dimmable?

[@zach5692]

Why are these LEDs configured as single ended? I understand that the many LEDs within the lamp itself are in parallel, with anode hot and cathode neutral. But they could run the neutral back to the other side of the lamp no problem. So why not? After doing some research, it looks like safety was the main concern. Does anybody have more knowledge on why these lamps were not initially configured as single ended? These single ended tubes don't require a ballast. Are there any double ended tubes on the market yet which do not need a ballast, and therefore the ballast can be bypassed and removed during installation?

[@reh99]

What happens when someone who doesn't know what they are looking at puts a t8 fluorescent lamp back inside the fixture after it has been retrofitted?

[@JonPBixby]

I have seen other retrofit videos where the finishing touch is to affix a label to the enclosure that covers the ballast and wires area indicating that the fixture has been rewired thereby making the fixture incompatible with (T8) fluorescent lamps. I was surprised that you did not have such a similar label in the retrofit kit to affix to the modified lamp fixture.

[@graysonswigert9035]

Great job.

[@amodelanime2]

Exelent video thanks for showing

[@SwaggaUnflawedKel]

is there a downside if i leave the ballast?

[@Totallightingsupply]

You will first need to electrically disconnect the ballast but once that is complete and you are all wired up correctly to power the LED t8 lamps you can choose to leave the ballast if you want.

[@quentindjching5720]

great video !!!

[@luiscalderon2738]

very informative video well explained......thanks

[@mddelwarhussain6845]

Thank you very nice..,

[@johny0907]

so no more ballast??????????

[@johnchang2071]

yep,LED tube light has its own driver,so,just remove all ballasts,save at least 70% power,

[@whitesheatingairappliancer7101]

nice video, do you have t8 8 footers ?

[@Totallightingsupply]

We sell 4ft retrofit kits to fit 8foot fluorescent fixtures here: www.totalbulklighting.com/led-lamps/t8-led-lamps/retrofit-kits/shopby/length-shaft--8ft.html

[@felixgrc28]

thank you this is very helpful

[@ninjadann]

Very good video. Great information and instructions. You have a like from me sir! cheers

[@richardli1695]

good video .

[@gordonbariguye7943]

Super!

[@beardo2378]

Can this work with T5 bulbs

[@kevinlin7674]

T5 isn't really popular in LED

[@monkeyflingingpooh]

The length of T5 & T8 are not the same.

[@denselvq]

top vid bud

[@John-gm8ty]

For any Australian viewers, this is totally illegal, you cannot touch live wiring at all. a licensed electrician must be commissioned. if you ignore this, your home insurance will be null and void. just FYI.

[@WaldoUnited]

you skipped a huge step. one minute you have 6 wires in your hand the next minute you have their last one going into a connector. what about the first 3? What about the wires on the other side? You mentioned making shunted into non shunted then never said another word about it. totally confusing video. all i wanted to know is if the non power side was daisy chained somehow. thanks for not showing that.

[@kevinlin7674]

Or you can just get a LED that is compatible to the old Ballast.....

[@kevinlin7674]

***** Just out of curiosity, is it qualified by UL or energy star?

[@Hirotoro4692]

kevin lin I use one that's compatible with the old ballast, it only required changing the starter and that was it. But I still bypassed the ballast because 1) the ballast made an annoying hum, and 2) the ballast used around 10 watts so bypassing it saved more energy.

[@jbuddyman]

You got a 3 lamp fixture. hmmmmmmmmm

[@khaledkhanfar8917]

How to wire 8ft lights to ballast