How To Easily Convert Fluorescent Lights to LED | Save Money on Energy Costs

Easily Convert Fluorescent Lights to LED. Brighter Lights & Save on Energy Costs! Simple Bypass Ballast Method.
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[@JonnyDIY]

*TOOLS & SUPPLIES & DONATION LINKS* 4ft LED Bulbs (Clear or Frosted Lens Cover)- amzn.to/3XQGck9 Electrical Voltage Tester Pen- amzn.to/2LDsGfN Wire Nuts Kit- amzn.to/3HlooYP Electrical Wire Stripper Pliers- amzn.to/36E4Orn Pliers- amzn.to/3ZTgrBu Wire Cutters- amzn.to/2PKYnFg Screwdriver- amzn.to/38SgZPh Tool Set- amzn.to/3epVN4X Safety Glasses- amzn.to/2ez41Jw Leather Work Gloves- amzn.to/2x5BZk3 Magnetic Work Light- amzn.to/33tk6tp *If you Enjoy the Channel Consider Helping Support it by Donating below & by Subscribing.* *PAYPAL DONATION* www.paypal.me/JonnyDIY *Zelle Donation* [e-mail] *Venmo Donation* [e-mail]

[@066motocross]

I gotta tell you brother, this is the absolute very best video I have found in this topic. Believe me, I've been watching how to convert to LED with ballast bypass tubes and yours is the very best I have seen! Not confusing, not someone talking to us like we are all qualified electricians, no dumb jokes and no music. Just a very cool young man showing us how to do this understanding that we don't have a clue lol. Seriously. Thanks so much. I inherited my Father's house and garage and I have 26 of these to do between the basement and garage and they are all 8' so I know this is going to be a very expensive upgrade. Well worth the cost though I know that. Thanks again fella 😊

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank you for your kind words 🙌 Good luck with the projects! 👍

[@chrisbvh]

Good God, you are the 4th ballast bypass video I've watched and you are the first one to show without over explaining that ALL of the wires on one end go to hot and ALL on the other end go to neutral. I realize now every other video was doing this but explaining way too much. My guy 👊🏻

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks, happy I could help you out 👍

[@williamjones4483]

Not all connect in that manner. Some of them you can connect that way but you can also connect on one end to the two pins. One being marked "L" for load would get the hot wire. The other pin being marked "N" for neutral. Before one undertakes such a project it would do them well to do some research on the subject to achieve the best way of completing this.

[@DrLRHolzer]

Very helpful. Your camera angles and description of how to remove the cover over the ballast saved me time. I converted a kitchen fluorescent fixture to LED Hybrid Type A+B today, and everything worked very well. No one locally sells the kind of LED tubes you recommend in the videos. I checked Lowes, Home Depot, ACE, and BatteriesPlus. But when I talked to a clerk at a local light bulb specialty store, he had heard of these kinds of bulbs and respects the product. He called them Smart bulbs instead of hybrid. I ordered from amazon, and installation steps were straightforward, just as you explained. I don't normally do electrical DIY. I rewatched your video many times to make sure I understood the steps. Thank you!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome. Nice! Happy to hear you got it done and I could help you out 🙌👍

[@ralphpetry1745]

I finally decided today was the day to give up my career as a professional procrastinator and tackle the flickering laundry room light. I had been determined to leave fluorescent behind and make the switch to LED. The LED bulbs I had ordered a couple of weeks ago were starting to gather dust in the corner so finally watched a few videos this morning and picked your video as my guide. Your instructions were perfect and I feel like I have a whole new fixture. Thanks for posting such great instructions.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy I could help you get it done and converted 👍 and thank you for your kind words 🙌

[@robcarr-ty7jo]

Yes but being a professional procrastinator is the only way to live

[@cherylmcghee3048]

Great viedo! I am a woman, 76 years of age. Your viedo was so clear and simple to understand! I can't believe I did it! Thank you so much, especially after watching so many other confusing videos.

[@JonnyDIY]

Wow that's awesome. You're very welcome, happy I could help you out 🙌👍

[@JB-sw8db]

I had no idea this could be done. Fantastic video. Thank you.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy to share 🙌👍

[@tipsclubs01]

Good Job, Great Video, Thank You for enlightening my Wonderment how to convert the Lights.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome! Glad to help! 🙌👍

[@mikeslater6246]

Pretty straightforward video but I have one complaint. That tester you used to determine whether the fixture was still powered or not should have been tested with a known live electrical circuit before trusting that your ballast was truly unpowered. You can do this by just sticking the little tab on the end of the tester in the hot side of a known good receptacle to see if it sounds. Not testing that electrical tester prior to using it is a good way to get yourself seriously hurt if the tester batteries were dead or it was just not working.

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes you're correct I always test it on a known live circuit before use just forgot to mention it in this particular video 👍

[@darthvegan435]

I always test on known good before and after (in case it happened to die during the few seconds after testing the first - might be overkill, but better than electrocution ).

[@mikeslater6246]

@@darthvegan435 I have to agree. That is definitely the kind of charge out of life that I do not want to get!

[@charlieroger2979]

Thanks to your video and explanation I was able to remove my ballast and replace the bulbs with LED. My wiring looked exactly like yours although I have 4 bulbs. Thanks.

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, glad you got it done. And happy to hear I could help you out 🙌👍

[@robertheinkel6225]

Just beware of one major item. There are two types of led replacement bulbs. One type like the one shown in the video, and another with a different wiring requirement. The other type only powers one end of the bulb, while the other tombstone is just a bulb holder. The bulbs are not interchangeable without rewiring the fixture to match the bulbs. Just pay attention to the directions on the package. Also, there are shunted and non shunted tombstones used. This style of bulb can use either,but the bulbs requiring wiring on one end only require non shunted tombstones, and usually come with the bulbs. I has converted over 1,200 bulbs at our church’s school and highly recommend LEDs

[@JonnyDIY]

Wow nice job, that's a ton of conversions you did, thanks for sharing the helpful info 👍

[@robertheinkel6225]

@@JonnyDIY the process is really simple once you know how to make the change.

[@AreaThirteenThirteen]

Yes you have to read the instructions and pay attention to the tombstones to be sure if they are shunted or not depending on application, there are also some LED replacement lamps that are ballast dependent and you will smoke the lamp if you direct wire them to line voltage and another type that can be used with or without a ballast. I do maintenance at a major airport and we have so many different types of lamps and fixtures (technically they are now called luminaries but I still refer to them as fixtures) there that it isn't even funny not to mention the new ones from the factory that come with an LED driver and LED strips instead of a regular ballast and those seem to go out or start strobing on a regular basis (the drivers are the weak link), we still have some T-12 ballasts in the older sections that haven't been converted yet and some still work since originally installed from the 70's.

[@JonnyDIY]

@@AreaThirteenThirteen ohh nice so you know all about all the different types, that's cool. Yeah the integrated led panel lights don't seem to last long in my experiences so far. Hopefully they get better. Probably just a matter or making higher quality and selling for more money

[@billg5584]

Exactly right. Double ended LED bulbs can use the same shunted tombstones that the fluorescent bulbs used. Shunted tombstones have both contacts on each tombstone shorted together. The single ended wiring requires non shunted tombstones, where the contact on each pin is electrically isolated from the opposite one. If a person does not know, and uses single ended wiring with a shunted tombstone, they will be wiring a short from hot to neutral, with an immediate short and wires burning up as soon as power is turned on.

[@HiredGunTrio]

Bummer, I just replace four bad ballast…. Wish I knew this before, great video…

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks. Bummer, ohh well they seem to last a long time. You can get led bulbs that'll work with ballasts too, if you want to enjoy some of the led benefits like brighter light and usually a bit lower energy use

[@HiredGunTrio]

@@JonnyDIYas soon as those ballast go bad, ha! 😂 I’m gonna do that LED re-wire…🎸

[@garyewheeler]

This may have already been said, but their are two types of LED Tube replacement bulb, Type B (which is what is being used here) and Type A (commonly call Plug & Play) which you don't have to bypass the ballast. Simply remove the old tubes and put the new ones in. Note: if the ballast is bad then the Type A won't work. You would replace the ballast, in which case you can use Type A or bypass the ballast, as shown here, and use type B.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you for sharing this helpful information 🙌👍

[@williamjones4483]

To me it's kind of pointless to do what you call Type "A" because you would still have a ballast consuming electricity and producing heat. Trust me when I say those ballast transformers can get VERY HOT.

[@TheSpotify95]

@@williamjones4483 Yeah, what usually kills the ballasts is when they run really hot, overheat, and shut down due to overheating. Also if you hear that the ballast is buzzing, it means the windings inside the ballast are starting to vibrate, again not good as it could fail at any point. When going for LED conversion you're really much better off not bothering with the ballast. After all, keeping the ballast and using Type A is only useful if you want to go back to fluorescent again at some point, which is pointless as fluorescent uses more power (and in some countries, they are even banning fluorescent bulbs). You really want to be taking out the ballast, taking out the starter (or using a LED specific start) and going Type B.

[@williamjones4483]

@@TheSpotify95 That's what I did. It was more time consuming but I completely gutted the fixture. Took down the tombstones and examined them to see if they could be reused. Removed ALL of the old wires going to them and for the conversion itself I ran black and white wires to only one tombstone as the LED lamps I used had pins on one end that were marked "L" for load and "N" for neutral. The tombstone at the other end was solely to support that end. One LED lamp produced enough light to replace both fluorescent tubes.

[@lym3204]

@@williamjones4483 I have all Type A because I replaced my fluorescent tubes before these fluorescent conversion videos became popular. It could be many years before my plug-and-play bulbs go bad for me to be able to change over to the type B tubes.

[@ko2890]

I had seen another video on this conversion and it was so confusing I didnt even try. The method was different too. This just caused me to add this back onto my list. Thanks for your video!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy to help 👍

[@dianaquilter18kosty62]

Perfect !! You reinforced the exact way I envisioned it being done. Thank you so much. 😉😊

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help 👍

[@leapnlarry]

It’s funny that two videos that did great are a before and after, this and the toilet video, i would keep doing that. I am going to try it for one of my solar videos,. I started using a new setup for diy videos, a GoPro, media mod, lume cube light, mini dead cat mic, plus DJI mic 2 lav on me. The audio is split right and left so i have two options int he edit. The light on the go pro really helps in dark tight places like this video.. love your stuff. Larry

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks so much Larry 🙌 That sounds like a great set up, I like the 2 audio choices. My audio isn't the best cause I'm just using the gopro internal mic. I'm thinking about getting the Rode wireless pro to up my game, guess I've just been dragging feet because I didnt know how much more difficult it makes editing and setting up.

[@SteveLizaIzabel]

I knew nothing about converting Fluorescent lights to LED lights prior to watching this video. If this is all there is to it, you made it super easy to understand, and super easy for me to do. I see there is no need for me to hire an electrician to do, especially since I'm a DIY person myself. Thank you for explaining exactly what to do with all the wires, and how to bypass the ballast (seems very simple). Others watching this video and who have already done the conversion: * Is it really this easy??? * Is there nothing else that has to be added (equivalent of a new LED ballast, or similar) for the conversion? * Are there different type of LEDS bulbs (like with and without ballast)? What's best? Cheapest? Most energy efficient? Thank you all and Johnny DIY 🙂

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I could help you out 👍

[@Charlielizard]

Jonny, once again, perfect timing. Have replaced every bulb in my house with an LED. Except the two big florescent fixtures in my laundry/mud room. Now those will be changed sooner thanks to your video. Didn't think to look for LED bulbs that would fit in existing fixtures. Have a great weekend and thanks again!

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, glad I could help Chuck! Nice job, yeah I think I've switched to all LEDs now too, but I still have bunch of good but old CFLs in a box I need to use or recycle. You too, have a great weekend 👍

[@janinapalmer8368]

Good luck with the wiring .... this video fails completely to tell you how to rewire the " tombstones" at each end of the light !!

[@sizquirt]

@@JonnyDIYFluorescent lights last way longer and are brighter and don’t hurt your eyes.

[@A-aronTrekn]

Great video with the simplest explanation of how to install using by pass method I've seen! Thanks.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, glad I could help you out 🙌👍

[@deni6743]

Always making it seem easy to do it ourselves, thank you 😊

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, yes this one super easy to do 👍

[@RonCrain]

Thank you for your clear directions I did this to the two fluorescent fixtures in my closet. Using the LED Tubes in your links I found that I didn't need 4 tubes in each fixture like the original fixture had. With just 2 tubes per fixture I would say that I'm getting the same amount of light as I did when I moved into my house.

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome glad you got it done. And you're very welcome, happy I could help out 👍 yeah these suckers are bright!

[@mikefagan2071]

@@JonnyDIY Jonny, I also want to use just one bulb. (I have two blub fiictures. )Either florecent or LED. I haven't decided. Do I need to disonnect one of the blubs electric connection. If so, which one? Thank you, Mike

[@brittneyjarrett7876]

Jonny, you have made this home improvement project look so easy!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you 🙌 Happy to share 👍

[@mightycessna923]

Great video and spot on with the instructions. I referenced the video as I replaced the lights in one of my bathrooms. Much appreciate the video and how-to instructions.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you 🙌 and you're very welcome, happy I could help you get it done 👍

[@brawnz]

Thanks bro I converted mine with ease with your directions. The hardest part for me was stripping the wires lol . Thanks again and keep up the great content.

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, glad you got it done and you're welcome, happy I could help you out 👍

[@christiemcbaine2805]

Fabulous! Can’t wait to do this over the washer/dryer! Side note. The second time you said “twist it clockwise” I was totally thinking “why would he make a point to turn it clockwise?”. Then, Bam! You totally explained it.

[@JonnyDIY]

Happy to help. And lol glad I made sure to clarify why, sometimes I can forget to fully explain why I do thing a certain way 👍

[@robertheinkel6225]

Considering all wire nuts are internally threaded clockwise, it will never tighten down if turned counterclockwise

[@shannonm.8866]

I was successfully able to remove the balast and add some frosted led tubes. Thank you so much!!!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy to hear I could help you get it done 👍

[@BlackMesaNorth]

I use your video to help me swap my kitchen lights over to LED. Thanks for the video!

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome! You're very welcome, happy I could help you out 🙌👍

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Totally helped me! If I’d known it was this simple I would have converted each fixture as the bulbs or ballast went years ago.

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, you're welcome happy I could help you out 🙌👍

[@TheSpotify95]

Yeah, usually the bulb/starter fails on these fluorescent lamps, and sometimes even the ballasts can overheat and fail.

[@victorhoe2321]

Johnny, removing the balest is the best way. The direct to balast conversion still has the tubes taking that initial spike to start regular florescent tubes.

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes I think so too, no need for them once you go led 👍

[@paulkonczak5270]

Simple and precise. Thank you!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome! Happy I could help you out 🙌👍

[@stalen9950]

One thing you have to do first: check all lampholders ! Replace any brocken or cracked ! 😂 ZVO

[@JonnyDIY]

👍

[@bigmikefrompa.3063]

I thank you very much! Followed your instructions and they worked great! Super bright! I have 2 more to convert in basement. I have 14 to do in garage. I'll wait for warmer weather,lol! Thank you. You got new sub 😊

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, glad to hear it worked for you. And you're welcome, happy I could help. Yeah it's been a cold and wet winter for us too! Can't wait for summer 👍 🌞🌊🏖

[@shreyasdube]

Thank you for this excellent overview!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, glad to help you out 👍

[@theclassiccurlsalon5544]

Thanks for a non-boring video. I am a retired electrician and did my can lights to Led but now the 4 tube garage florescent just went bad again. Looking into replacing and they want a fortune for a 4 lamp fixture, With your video I am going to retube to led, Thanks for a good video.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy I could help you out. And thank you! 🙌👍

[@c3daldadband368]

Excellent instructions. Thanks.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you and you're welcome, happy I could help 👍

[@brianelswick7374]

I had no idea this bypass method existed, but this worked like a charm at my house. Now we can see in our basement! The fixtures are recessed into a dropped ceiling, so I appreciated how simple this was.

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome. You're welcome happy I could help you out and get your lights going again 👍

[@slohand624]

What a difference over those old Fluorescent bulbs! 😎Needed!

[@JonnyDIY]

Super bright and crisp 😎💕💡👍

[@nicolaiprowse3893]

Great video, made the job easy to follow. Thanks for posting

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you and you're very welcome, happy I could help you out 👍

[@morrispet]

Nice tutorial Good video with clear explanation I did this on a couple of older fixtures I didn't want to replace (yet)

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, glad I could help you out 🙌👍

[@jagdishsekhon8390]

Thank you for the explanation.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy to help 👍

[@jerrycallender-qm7zr]

Greetings from Tucson, Arizona.. Just subscribed - this is just the ticket for my garage.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks! Hope it helped 👍

[@PapaA7145]

Excellent diy. All the info without hype.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you 🙌 happy to help 👍

[@mrcryptozoic817]

I have wondered how to do that but haven't been asked by anyone to do it. Very good presentation! Added benefit: that weird fluorescent mercury color is gone.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, happy to share 👍

[@Brody0728]

Thanks Jonny - I have been sitting on LED bulbs J bought in Jan 2022… have been looking for LED ballasts for a long time. I guess I can’t find them because I don’t need them. Much appreciated.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy to help. Good luck with the project 👍

[@SprDave77]

Thanks, I learned something new today! Great video because you explain the process and demonstrate very well.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you 🙌 happy I could help 👍

[@rickeymoore6720]

You did a great job explaining the process, thnx i feel more comfortable doing this job

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you and you're welcome, happy to help 👍

[@josephflemington4478]

Very Informative. Now I can save lights I thought where obsolete. Thank you.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy I could help 👍

[@nancysoles6047]

Thank you very much! -Mrs. Fixit

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I could help 👍

[@BruceEavey]

Well done and so easy to follow. Thanks

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you! 🙌 And you're welcome, happy I could help you out 👍

[@hubster4477]

Good demo, thanks!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help 👍

[@torque6389]

Great explanation; thank you!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks! And you're welcome, happy I could help 👍

[@gregsitu]

Thanks for the easy guide. I was able to convert mine to LED.

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome glad to hear. You're welcome, happy I could help you out 👍

[@adamlyman8293]

Jonny, thank you for this easy to follow video. I just completed the conversion to LED (Type B) bulbs in home garage. They look great!!

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome. You're very welcome, glad to hear I could help you get it done 👍

[@rpan5441]

Nicely explained. Many thanks.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I was able to help you out 👍

[@ky8465]

I wired it wrong the first time and they were flicking. Found your video, fixed my mistake, and now they work fine. Thanks!

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome! You're welcome, glad I was able to help you out 👍

[@Goomer]

Thanks

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help 🙌👍

[@amptron1776]

Nicely made video with good info and thanks for that. One small item - you didn't tighten your wire nuts enough, should continue to turn until the insulated portions of the wires twist together once or twice as well.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to share. And thank you for the tip 🙌👍

[@AereForst]

Great tip!👍🏻

[@bullzeyes23]

Thank you for the video. God bless

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help 🙌👍

[@Kathryn_60]

This is going to be a game changer for our kitchen Thanks!!!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, yes it is definitely a large improvement and huge energy saver. My 4 new bulbs 18.5w each, old ones were 40w!

[@smallfeet4581]

​@@JonnyDIY my bulbs are 18w , have been for 30 years , I use 4 (should be 8 but I thought 4 were enough ) not sure if I'd use less energy if I bought led

[@JonnyDIY]

@@smallfeet4581 they should be brighter for the same energy use or less. And also you can get dimmable ones. I think I'll put in a dimmer switch and see if the ones I have can dim. I like to be able to dim the lights.

[@smallfeet4581]

@@JonnyDIY I've looked up led for the size I need to fit a 60 cm 18 w and they are running at 9w so a bit of saving I guess , it's my kitchen and I need the light there , for dimmable I'd need to get a different switch installed , but interesting video , the issue is the companies are charging a lot to get us to reduce our usage but bringing in more people to the country who will need energy 🤷, the need for nuclear energy to supplement green energy is wrong imo , I hate nuclear , I'd rather have solar but don't get enough sun for that

[@zaz4667]

WOW that looks easy! Hope it works out for me! I am gonna try it!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, good luck 👍

[@user-sf9pq5ox7w]

Nice! thanks, I always wondered how to do that. Clear, excellent video.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I could help. And thank you! 🙌👍

[@garyvoll4103]

To the Point!Excellent

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, happy to help! 🙌👍

[@jim9520]

Thank you . Great video.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I could help 🙌👍

[@GrouchyOldBear7]

Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it.

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to share 👍

[@andrewjohnson430]

Very nice instruction!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, happy to help 👍

[@johnnelson8714]

A couple years ago I inherited my dad's airplane hanger/shop. Since not all the ballasts and tubes were working and most of the fixtures were 8' long, I looked into getting conversion kits to install 4' LED's. The units I ended up using were Type B, 5000K, 15 and 18 watts. These, like the above video eliminated the ballast. Unlike the above is I connected the red wires from the tombstones to the black 120VAC and the blue wires to the common of the 120VAC. Note here, this will only work on the older unshunted tombstones..Point I'm taking the long way around to make is check the wiring of the tube before doing what was done above. As for results, even though not all the old fixtures were working, when I finished installing the new tubes the current draw was about half and with the 5000K humans it was like being outside. Cost of conversion, the tubes were about $4/each and the kit to put 4 each 4' tubes in a 2 tube 8' fixture was about $20. I couldn't even replace a ballast for that. Conversion time per 8' fixture, about 1/2 hr. which included moving the ladder (ceiling is 15' high). Since then all the fluorescent tubes in the house have been changed to make being in the kitchen and laundry room so much nicer. The garage is next.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks for sharing. Wow that must've been a lot of work, but ohh so worth it. Brighter and much more energy efficient 👍

[@johnnelson8714]

@@JonnyDIY Like I said they only took about 1/2 hr. ea. and the hanger was for small craft (think Cessna) but I did go through about 50 tubes as some fixtures were the old 4' like the one you showed.

[@oldmanandthec7523]

What about the yellow wires?

[@johnnelson8714]

The type "B"tube I used are powered from only one end of the tube. Thus, the yellow wire weren't used. In my case I clipped them off so they weren't in the way of putting the center cover back on. Note: I also marked which end of the fixture was wired 120 VAC.

[@rosemcdonald6026]

Thank you, good job!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you & you're welcome, happy to help and share 👍

[@Draegonfyre]

Thank you 😀

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help 👍

[@John-bs5ug]

The energy difference between a T8 fluorescent and T8 LED is about a $1.50 per YEAR if used for 3hrs/day/everyday. When you factor in the much higher cost of LEDs, and the significantly higher failure rate, florescents are much more cost effective. But overall, I still prefect incandescents to LEDs because incandescent bulbs have no flicker, are made of glass and metal rather than plastic and computer chips, and are just easier on the eyes than LEDs.

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes I much prefer incandescents. Shame can't buy them much anymore

[@John-bs5ug]

@@JonnyDIY A true shame. The US DOE under Biden banned halogens and most incandescents a few months ago :(

[@mguerramd]

I used WAGO connectors, it was super easy. First time I’ve used them instead of wire nuts. I used 6000K in the garage, but that’s too harsh in the kitchen so used 4000K in there. It’s good and bright but not too blue/white.

[@jennifermac7]

Which WAGO connectors did you use?

[@mguerramd]

@@jennifermac7 221-612 I replied before but they removed it, I guess because of the amazon link.

[@palehorsecowboy4]

I've gone down a similar road. I recently replaced all my 4' T-12 fixtures w/ 4' LED integrated fixtures. 50000 hrs life for those fixtures which at 5hrs/day use translates to 27.4 yrs of life. That's long time without changing bulbs. 😎

[@JonnyDIY]

Nice 👍 save quite a bit of energy

[@CharlieB1952]

Ok he is working on a fairly new fixture, that little clip he shows guess what it can be easy to loose. The tombstones, the pieces the lights actually fit into over time become brown and brittle so you need to pay attention to those,plus the bulbs can be a tight fit outside of that the long run it is a better light and you don't need that ballast making it a win win

[@AngAntBru]

Thank for the information and the Video

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to share 👍

[@TheSpotify95]

Nice video, and I'd always recommend getting the ones where you can bypass the ballast. Reason being that the ballast will eventually give way and fail. I think this might have happened to a few of the remaining fluorescent lamps at work, though I know some are just the starters (and bulbs) as the bulb was flickering, followed by going completely black at the end. Another failure is when the ends glow dimly - both of those are dead starters.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you 👍 and thanks for sharing that helpful information 🙌

[@GFlCh]

Exactly, and when the ballast does eventually fail, you'll have to either: 1) replace the ballast which will be "Bigly" expensive and hard to find by then, or 2) bypass the ballast and replace the bulbs again with LED bulbs that don't use the ballast.

[@djratino]

I have LEDs over my pool table. My fixture is hard to get into. I used the plug 'n' play version 4ft bulbs. I can go back to fluorescent if I want to. At least now, I know how to wire them if the ballast ever goes bad. Thanks for the video. 💡

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, yeah I'm pretty sure one of my ballasts was out so I went ahead and did this method. You're welcome, happy to help. Enjoy the new brightly lit pool table! 💕🎱👍

[@danieltaylor4819]

Good info!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you 🙌👍

[@savedbygrace704]

Good video. Thank you

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I could help 👍

[@stringlarson1247]

I've been converting some of mine to LED. The wiring diags. in the package a pretty fehken simple. I've salvaged a couple of 40s era fixtures, got replament ends from AMZN as the bakelite ends were cracked. Also, just make sure to mark fixtures at to what they require if you are going to mod some over time.

[@JonnyDIY]

Nice those 40s era fixtures sound cool. Yes good idea to write a note on fixture 👍

[@stringlarson1247]

@JonnyDIY Yep, indeed. Heavy AF. steel. There are 2 ballasts that weigh about 20lb. They are now object d'art on the wall. :) the bonus with the LED tubes is no more toxic glass shards .

[@billmongiello4885]

good video and info....very to the point without telling your life story or how the light bulb was discovered 😊

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, happy I could help 🙌👍

[@privatepilot4064]

Cool! Gonna do it!

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, good luck 🙌👍

[@R1Brooklyn]

Thanks!!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help! 👍

[@barcodefly]

Always check for voltage with power on first to verify your voltage sniffer is working correctly.

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes, great point. I always verify it's working on a live circuit first 👍

[@aarongentile7232]

great!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks 🙌👍

[@williamjones4483]

I'd like to add or reinforce some points to undertaking such a project. It is not overly complicated but it will pay off in dividends to do your research first. I undertook such a project in a hotel I worked in and made some mistakes along the way. Fist off, the ballast transformers can get VERY HOT. They can get hot enough to cause serious burns if not careful. Second thing is one LED tube is usually quite sufficient to replace BOTH fluorescent tubes saving even more energy. Thirdly, get the LED tube that does not require the ballast as the ballast itself uses much of the electricity and producing heat. Because 110 volt circuits are usually wired with black and white I chose to gut the entire fixture except for the tombstones if they were in good condition. I completely rewired the fixture using only black and white wires with black being "hot" or load and white being the neutral.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you for sharing 🙌Yes they can be a bit different from fixture to fixture and how each person wired it can vary

[@meseahunt]

good info thanks 🤠

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help 🙌👍

[@ndfan62]

I need to do this to the T12 bulbs we have in our unfinished basement. Thanks!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome! Happy I could help. Good luck with the project 👍

[@zackavin]

thx it works perfectly for me

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, you're welcome, glad to hear it worked well for you 👍

[@randomcomment3865]

I'd write "BALLAST REMOVED, UPGRADED TO LED , 2023-01-15, JDIY", in Sharpie, under where the bulb goes as otherwise, once that trim cover goes back on, there's way to tell if the fixture is set up for LED or regular flourescent bulbs. Otherwise, great video, thanks!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help. And thank you great idea, I'll add that to the fixtures next time I have it open for a bulb replacement 👍

[@Klassiccycles]

Great video.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you ! 🙌👍

[@jamkpa]

Very Good!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you! 👍

[@stevebusby6618]

I've done hundreds of these, but none were this way. The ones I did had one end of the bulb that was dead and did not require any wiring connection. The other end had one pin for the hot and the other pin for the neutral. The bulbs would not work if you connected the wiring the way shown in this video. In my case, you would disconnect all the wires on the dead end and connect the hot wire to one side of the lampholder and the neutral wire to the other side. The bulb is marked with "L" for the hot side and "N" for the neutral side. If you installed the bulb the wrong way, either by turning it around so the live side is on the dead end or by installing the ends correctly, but turning the bulb the wrong way, it would not hurt anything, but the bulb would not work. Make sure you know what kind of bulb you have in order to wire the fixture correctly.

[@jamesallion7648]

Nice Video. Just wondering why you chose to cut the incoming power wires to the ballast, rather than simply undoing the wire nuts? In my opinion you left 2 unnecessary wire nuts in your wiring.

[@JonnyDIY]

On one of the sides I needed the extra length, but you're right one of the sides I could've shortened it by undoing wire nut 👍

[@Canikman05]

It’s often quicker and easier than untwisting old wires and nuts that have been together for who knows how long and have usually been over twisted. I often do the same thing he did especially when you are doing a whole buildings worth of these lights

[@michaeltobin-et9vb]

Very informative Video

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, happy to share 👍

[@jerryalbertson1356]

Great video😊

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, happy to share 👍

[@byronwoolfrey1039]

For anyone complaining about LEDs not lasting long. It is true BUT notice the warranty says (usually) 10 years. The manufacturer hopes you don't notice this, soooo keep your receipts and take tham back like i do, they warranty it so it is up to us to hold them to their word.😊

[@JonnyDIY]

Good point, just hopefully they're still in business 🤞😆

[@phaedruscj3330]

The Chinese are totally good on the warranty.

[@harrisonburganimalhospital1845]

A great explainer video; thank you! Is there a less powerful LED bulb that works the same way? I installed this in a 4 socket fixture, and it was so bright we thought we were being beamed up!

[@JonnyDIY]

There should be, either that or get dimmable bulbs and an led dimmer switch. Some will work with regular dimmer switch depending on power output, but if have to install a new switch just get the led compatible ones. I have a video installing switch too kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ66lpSllN6nac0si=8PJJwweHAkbg0BNj

[@GUILLERMOJGARZON]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, very simple video and very well explained. My question is: The conversion that you did it’s for regular fluorescent to type B led ? The led that I have said plug and play type A and they don’t work so I bypass the ballast and still nothing that’s why I think that I need a type B led. Do I’m wrong? Thanks for your response.

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes I would try the other bypass ballast LEDs. It's possible the ones you got work, but maybe the ballasts were bad or didn't work with those ones specifically. May try local hardware store so you can try them out and hopefully not have to return them 👍

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

Glad to see you used wire nuts instead of those POS wagos.

[@JonnyDIY]

Never used those things. My buddy who's an electrician and I were just talking about them last nite. He said time will tell with them if good or not 🤷‍♂️ they fall apart over time you think or just not as good of connection?

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

@@JonnyDIY yeah man,been doing electrical work for 35 years,masters license,wagos are shit,make a good tap,use wire nuts. Good luck and good health to you.

[@JonnyDIY]

@@kyzor-sosay6087 Awesome, thanks for the tip on the wagos. Won't waste my money. Thank you, you too!

[@KA9DSL]

On your next project, use Wago connectors. Faster then using wire nuts, safer.

[@JonnyDIY]

I'm still on the fence about them