Convert, Rewire Fluorescent to Led Lights - Double-Ended Tubes

Save energy with better light if conversion to LED lights from fluorescent fixtures. This describes a shunted, or double-ended bulb, rewire; a non-shunted conversion is similar, but slightly different.
Non-shunted vs. shunted socket differences are due to how electric current flows through the light fixture. Current will flow in a shunted socket by a single path, but through multiple paths in a non-shunted socket. The bulb could burn out quicker, or short if the wrong one is used.
Shunted sockets of fluorescent lights are for instant start ballasts, while non-shunted work with others like trigger start or pre-heat. The ballast gives enough voltage to start the bulbs then regulates the current.
A voltage meter set to continuity would confirm whether the lamp had a shunted or non-shunted socket - a non-shunted would show no continuity.
Direct wire is the most energy efficient because it doesn’t require a power source controller, like a ballast, to operate.
Confirm you have a shunted fixture. Otherwise, replace the non-shunted lamp holders (called tombstones) or wire for a shunted fixture. Using non-shunted tombstones can short the sockets and damage the LEDs.
1. There can be no dimmer.
2. Shut off the power going to the light.
3. Cut the wires to the ballast and remove the ballast.
4. Wire the tombstones positive lead to the live end of the power source.
5. Wire the tombstones negative lead to the neutral end of the power source.
6. Wire the ground connection.
7. Install the new T8 LED lamps, matching the end of the lamp marked “L” to the live tombstone end with the LEDs pointing down.
Once a fixture is wired for T8 LED, you can no longer put fluorescent lamps back into the light.
www.mrhardware.com

[@2old4u]

Excellent information. If viewers pay attention, it's knowledge that will last a life time.

[@BrianHeilig1]

Or at least until we have the next generation of lighting.

[@jakeblake231]

@@BrianHeilig1 ...that comes with the next generation of greedy capitalists.

[@Dwarte007]

Is that a real beard?

[@krisgreenwood5173]

Finally, a video that is short and to the point. Thanks.

[@TheDIRTBIKER10]

Out of all the videos on this subject, this one is the best.

[@sambloch1810]

THE BEST!!!!

[@Moises-kf1hg]

I agree. The difference between his and the others, the others just tell you what to do. He gives a simply explanation, so it sinks a tad more. If I was told, just eliminate the ballast and wire the light like a traditional light with a hot and neutral wire setup, I could have done it so much easier. But going though so many videos trying to understand what I was doing is why it took so long

[@jasonjason8783]

Thanks your comment making me watch

[@gabrieldabney]

Straight and to the point. I know just enough when it comes to basic wiring and installation. The facility I work in is starting to blow all the ballasts on the traditional florescent fixtures. I was replacing the ballasts at first, then I just started swapping the whole fixture for strip led fixtures but this is going to save so much time and money it's ridiculous. Best video I've seen yet. Thank you and I will definitely look you up next issue I run into.

[@RichardFreeberg]

A well done and concise description of how to replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes. Of course there are many technical details left out, but he keeps it down to the essentials. Perhaps a bit too spare since any work involving mains voltage is potentially dangerous. I really appreciate the lack of 'self-ego stroking' by the presenter which, unfortunately seems to be all too common in many DIY videos. Thumbs up!

[@MrHardware1]

Thanks, it’s all about the project, not the man.

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

@@MrHardware1so this is the direct wire version? I supposedly got the “plug and play” version that almost seem to catch either the bulbs, the ballast, or both on damn near fire. The bulbs quit and were smoking. So do the “plug and play” version require an electronic ballast vs a magnetic ballast? I just love (sarcastic) how the system has forced these bulbs on us in wash state without warning anyone about what was necessary for these conversions🤬

[@larrybarrios5199]

Excellent video. I followed the instructions for the double-ended bulbs. I watched other videos but came back to this one which seemed to explain things to me the best way. Once I reviewed the video a few times and studied the wiring on my fixture, I went and did the job. I think it actually took me less time to remove the ballast and rewire the fixture than it did to watch the video. Great instructions. Thanks!

[@Engineerboy100]

killed it with the bingo! perfect, just what I needed. short, clear, to the point and easy to understand. Thank you!

[@iupab]

If only I would have found this video earlier I wouldn’t have wasted time on all the others I viewed that provided zero help! It took me all 10 minutes after viewing yours to replace ballast with direct wired led bulbs! Thank you!

[@kevinwesley4830]

Thank you VERY much, Blair. I have NO electrical skills--at all--and was very nervous about undertaking this conversion. I assumed it would end with me calling an electrician...as usual. BUT, it worked PERFECTLY!!! Again, thank you very much!

[@GginoBlue]

Dear Mr. Hardware, Yours was the most clear and informative of videos on this topic and gave me what I needed to convert my fixtures. Thank you. The last real hardware store in our town (not a big-box store) closed a couple years ago. There were men like yourself working there who you could ask and they’d explain what you needed and how to do a thing. When that closed we lost not just a store but a library of sorts. Thanks for helping fill that void with your excellent videos.

[@kellymurphymurphy2301]

⁰

[@brianhunt3394]

Clear, simple explanation without background music. Recommended and thanks

[@airshootist]

Thank you for this straight forward tutorial! Since my landlord hasn't replaced my faulty ballast for 4 years I just did it myself and installed LEDs now! They work great and no more flashing!

[@demontekdigital1704]

Thank you for this wonderful video, and great tip. I've done this before, but in the previous fixture the yellow wires were absent. It was just one white wire on one side, and a red, and blue on the other. The one I just did moments ago, (with the help of this video), had 2 blue, and 2 red on one end, and 2 yellow on the other. On some LEDs you'd cut those yellows, but since I didn't have the instructions for the bulbs, I made sure not to cut any wires until everything was working, and I absolutely knew it was ok. Turns out my caution paid off. Had I prematurely cut those yellows I would have needed to put them back in the tombstones. Now I have 4 really nice 5k bulbs running in the kitchen! It's brighter, it lights faster, and will save me a bit of cash on the power bill. Thank you again!

[@geminibsee]

Straight to the point, Can't get any simpler than this for Double ended Feed. Thank you!

[@mughisq]

I found this youtube video extremely helpful. My old fluorescent tube light had gone bad and needed to be replaced. I thought it was time to change to LED. Got T8 LED and installed, but they didn't come on. Did search and it turned out that I need to remove the Ballast. Th wiring shown in this video match my fixture wiring and just followed the steps. T8 LED Fluorescent worked immediately. Thanks very much Mr. Hardware

[@Robaccione]

Thank you. After watching 6 KZbin videos I finally figured my fixture out when I watched yours.

[@brendancanfield2802]

Video is Excellent for the Homeowner, good explanation and demonstration. One caution: If you have a fluorescent fixture with a battery backup for emergency lighting (Such as in some more modern commercial buildings) you cannot remove the ballast as it will disable the battery backup. If that was the case, in an emergency such as power outage, the lights would not stay on for people to leave the building. Please be aware as well that this could impact your insurance. We ran into this issue when we were planning to upgrade our Fluorescent tubes to LED in one of the buildings I maintain. In that event we planned on going with the direct fit ballast powered LED to maintain safety in the ones that required a ballast for backup and just bypassing the ones that didn't have the backup. In our Kitchen at home we will be bypassing the ballast. No backups there... Just my 2 cents- Once again nice video!

[@SuenosDePaz7]

finally a video that explains the basic differences… thank you

[@seasunfoodfun]

Excellent tutorial, I’m upgrading 25+ fixtures in my 23 year old home.

[@sradie]

You just saved me from a third trip to Lowe's to exchange 10 bulbs I thought wouldn't work in my fixtures. I will rewire according to your instructions and be happy you provided this information. Thank you. Back to work.

[@artschwabe8357]

Thank you. You described the difference between the 2 types of bulbs. And the different wiring. Most do not. Very important. 👍

[@jasonrobbins6584]

Thank You, way less confusing than every video i watched. Right to the point without 5 minutes of rambling and blasting music.

[@michaelwalker92]

Thank you! I was pretty sure I was doing it right, but I needed somebody smarter than me to tell me before I turned the switch back on.

[@bradhanks3519]

WOW!!!! My man, it just doesn't get any easier than this. The main reason I can sincerely type that is because you have excellent communication skills. I mean that. You keep it short and more importantly, simple. Good job and my hat is off to you. You made me a subscriber!

[@ridinfree55]

I've been wanting to switch to LED's in the last spot in our house. The laundry room. I've been afraid to F it up! Watched your video and not as hard as I thought. Done, working great! Thanks for your video! We are 100% LED in our house!

[@terrysosko9332]

Mr. Hardware....thanks so much. I must say that I watched three other "tutorials" on this subject and yours was the most help. I am now a very "Handy Mimi"

[@TheRodelreyes]

Beat explanation of rewiring to led from a ballast.! Thank you sir!

[@KevinCorder-t6s]

Thank you! WAY better instructions than those on the video of the manufacturer! Got my conversion finished quickly thanks to your video!

[@matthewcondon1985]

I don’t know how many videos I watched before I found this one. This is the only one that gave me in info I needed! Thanks so much!!! Maybe the job so easy.

[@RemyLebeau-hm5nn]

Thank you sir! I watched another video and did his method but it would short circuit my bathroom area. Fortunately i read in his comments that not all tombstones (light fixtures) are the same. So i came into your video and your way was the simplest way. I will not make this mistake again and watch another video....please forgive me! Lol. Thanks dude! Now the wife is happy once again

[@AK-qe1hz]

As A new Buildung Maintenance emploee, This was awesome, thank you sir..Will save our building alot more money.

[@MrHardware1]

@@AK-qe1hz are toilets seats loose? We sell these in 100 packs to institutions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWKml3VpoNd5rZYsi=HBSFjBLY3jzxGJc-

[@squareonedesigns6238]

Straight to the point and super helpful, thank you.

[@TeamProsperity]

One of the best most informative videos I have watched on this type conversion, well done 👍

[@shannonkidd7174]

This was amazing information. Was able to get my bulb up and running in 10 minutes. Thank you!

[@jefft847]

Great video, thank you so much! This gave us the confidence to rewire our kitchen fluorescent fixture and the LEDs work just fine now.

[@matthewhall9692]

Solid video, comprehensive and to the point. I just did this with 8ft T8 LED tubes and did the exact same steps and works great.

[@savedsinner0]

Once I realized I was working with a doubled ended LED, this was exactly what I needed. THANKS!!

[@johng5122]

Man, that was the most straight forward explanation! Thank you!

[@dennisr2]

Another KZbin Star is born. You presented how to easily swap out the old fluorescent bulbs to the modern LED bulbs. You made the task look easy. Well Done. I just became a new subscriber to your channel.

[@roberthenderson7844]

Well done Mr. Hardware. You made my next project so easy. Thank you.

[@easygames5471]

Good video, to the point and easy to follow. 10/10 would watch again.

[@frisk151]

Thank you!! I've been re-installing new ballasts as far back as 1991 at my grandparents house / property... They are sadly long gone but my parents live there now.. They are now in their early 80's so I'm still the designated hand at these and many other general things.. The Garage ones are a real pita.. Then, the ballroom main living room with all its "moldings to hide the lights (The roof reminds me of a church building... Pointed.. I've been replacing ballasts up on an extension ladder where I probably should have scaffolding.. :/. Regardless... I just came across your video and am happy as heck! Still have 4 more ballasts to go but I'm not going to pull a "switch-a-roo" and install these lights on the other side corner and see if they can even tell... Much appreciated! Here comes a sub to go with the "like"...

[@MrHardware1]

Remember when you buy LED lights you can buy them from 3000 K which is red and warm to 5000 K which is blue and cold I said suggest you stay around 4000 K and they’ll never know.

[@Teknik666]

Thanks. I found this video easier to follow than some others.

[@Not_Vladimir_Putin]

My 20+ year old kitchen 4' fluorescent fixture hasn't been working well. I think it's due to the ballast, so I will try this to bypass it and save money on LED bulbs at the same time. Thanks for this video!

[@paulshilling619]

Your video was very helpful. Took 10 minutes to change over. Thanks

[@ChrisHarmon-u7g]

Thank you, great how to video... concise and easy to follow ...and I saved on replacing a bad ballast - great job

[@metalworx4765]

Thanks for posting this, just did my garage lighting using this video 👍👍

[@charlesgoodwingreen8325]

Extremely well presented and I have now subscribed . I had viewed 6 other, poorly done and essentially worthless ,videos and I had become extremely frustrated with the poor explanations and presentations so thank you for your presentation.

[@MrHardware1]

Thank you

[@marcuswhite1403]

Very good instructional video. I was very confused on how to do it until I saw this video

[@hewittmcelroy3711]

Well done video, sir! You have really simplified the process for me.

[@brendahill3345]

Just finished converting all of my downstairs lights....thanks to you. Oh my was it simple!!! Thanks again

[@josealas9482]

Thank you. You saved the day for me. I was using the blue color to the white instead of the yellow wire. Thank you much.

[@JamesDBradley-j8h]

Very good instructions. This was so helpful. Keep the videos coming.👍

[@greggutterman6260]

The best video on this topic by far…thank you!!

[@blaterox]

Thank you. Rewiring my shop for LEDS tomorrow

[@jasontanaka9812]

This video is great. Very easy and like the rest of the comments, straight to the point. Thanks for the video. 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@kumarbhatia6566]

Excellent video! Thanks - just purchased some T8s from Amazon and missed the keyword 'ballast bypass' style. Now we know :)

[@deenakaufman4220]

Best video on this subject on the whole internet.

[@wimaalwis8315]

I got type A T8 tubes , this does not work with them, I needed type B and had to change tombstones to non*shunted.

[@chipkimberlin]

This was great! Fixed all of my lights, working perfectly. Thank you!

[@jasond130]

I just did this and it worked perfectly. Thank you!

[@jumemowery9434]

Thank you very much. I'm grateful that you showed me how to do it. I put your knowledge immediately to work. Again I'm grateful for your help thank you

[@oostracing]

I was scratching my head then i watched your video, thanks

[@dilianomartin.293]

Nice work bro! Remember always be careful when connecting the black wire and red wires those wires can lead to an electric shock, spark, fire and death.

[@leopoldogonzalez8068]

Thank you Mr. Hardware. This is very clear information.

[@geraldwalken6385]

explanation and video was clear and to the point. now i am going to try it.

[@fredericmokren9737]

Great video. Clear and concise.

[@LifesLaboratory]

Excellent. Simple and to the point. Thanks!

[@dh2477]

Helped me out when I was having a brain fart at work lol thanks boss!

[@curtdunlap6818]

Thanks for sharing. This is probably the least confusing video I've seen on this topic. I've been around this block a few times trying to decide which wiring configuration is better - single or double ended. If I'm understanding this correctly, shunted tombstones should be used in a double-ended configuration only (Type B), and non-shunted tombstones in either a single-ended configuration (Type A) or in a double-ended configuration if the tombstones are shunted (Type B). So, which is better? Which is safer? Which provides the longest life for the LED? I have 29 fixtures with a total of 70 T12 tubes in home and garage that I would like to replace in multiple phases over the next several years as time permits, and I want to do it right starting with the first tube!

[@MrHardware1]

I rewired my entire hardware store with type a single ended tubes because I had 8 foot fixtures and I bought conversion kits that turn the center of the 8 foot fixture into the hot spot for the 4- 4’ foot tubes that replaced the 8’ bulbs. It was easy to pre-wire the center (4 tombstones on a center plate) on the bench, remove the 8’ bulbs, bypass the ballast and feed the center plate w/ 120v and boom, all 4 bulbs were fed.

[@stuadams968]

Thank you. Good video. Will begin my conversion today.

[@lynnpowers2184]

The best demo yet

[@pelletman65]

Excellent and easy instructions! Thanks!

[@imranmanju3094]

Thanks man. Very simple and very helpful.

[@randygriswold1696]

Thank you sir, I appreciate the expert help, you made it easy and my lights work perfectly

[@matthewhess1581]

Great video! Thank you for making it easy!!

[@malekodesouza7255]

Ballast bypass is by far the only way to make this retrofit. Simple, efficient and easy. Anyone can do it.

[@Valkyrerider]

I don't know if every bulb brand is the same, but the end of the bulbs I bought had the wiring diagram on it.

[@davidstepeck2644]

Thank you for making it so easy!

[@isusanpo]

Very easy to understand. Thank you

[@davebunney3227]

Thank you so much Mr Hardware! You rock.

[@padilla7019]

This is the best explained video for me

[@mikeemerson4284]

That was really good no extra BS to confuse you

[@anthonyj_film_photo]

Good video. Great info and presentation. Thanks man.

[@broadymurphy7092]

This was perfect! Thank you so much

[@acesandeights65]

You rock dude, best video on led conversion,

[@rrod806]

Great Video and best explanation I’ve seen. Followed your instructions but all my bulbs are burning very dim. Guess I screwed it up somehow

[@MrHardware1]

I would contact customer service for the bulbs, they might be ‘ballast’ led bulbs.

[@cariebordeaux5422]

Best video on this task!

[@mikehrabar7999]

1:24 Having separate power leads on left and right side of each tombstone is not a "shunted installation". Shunted simply refers to the joining of the clips of the right and left prongs of the tombstone connector (the opposite what you describe).

[@HawgLord]

Is the use of Shunted Tombstones simply so that you can jump from one tombstone to the next on the same end of the fixture?

[@williamhess7040]

Perfect easy to follow thanks!!!!

[@torque6389]

Excellent advice!

[@joemontoya771]

Agree best LED wiring instructions

[@jeremywinkler2650]

Thank you very usefully information

[@keithnoneya]

Thanks I have the Sunco's and they are series (double ended) wired like yours are. However I went to buy some more and they are now single ended feed with a shunt on the other end. I tried to find them in your hardware store but I can't find them, even if I type in LED Lighting. Do you have them if so what's the part number, link and cost for a 10 pack. Thanks for the nice video. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[@MrHardware1]

Call and ask for Daniel, he is the purchaser of the bulbs. He’ll price and ship if they are available.

[@jamesgoudeau5982]

You made it very easy and I use your method and it lit momentarily and went out. I bought my bulbs from Wal Mart. I must have the non-shunted bulb. Show us the non-shunted and tell us how we can tell the difference between the two.

[@MrHardware1]

This is not up for experimenting, get a wiring diagram and follow it. Look for a L and a N on the ends of the bulb. L is for black and N is for white. If your tombstones are shunted (both contacts aren't separated) you will have to buy shunted bulbs or replace the tombstones.

[@stephenjaeger5624]

Hope you can help. I have a 4 ft fixture, two bulbs. There are five. They would all come on and then one or more would go off after a while and then sometimes come back on. I replaced the old bulbs wit Phillips InstaFit and those work. However, they also go off and come back on sometime later. I am making an uneducated guess it is the ballasts? I have watched so many LED replacement-remove ballast videos and am more confused than ever. Your video was the most informative, but still not clear as to what I can do.On one end of the ballast are 4 wires-2 red, 2 blue. Two red go to one tombstone, 2 blue to the other. On the other end are 2 yellow wires going to 1 tombstone, which then has 2 short white wires connecting to the other tombstone. What do I have and what do I connect if I remove the ballast?

[@MrHardware1]

That’s a standard ballast wiring and first you purchase the LED bulbs and follow the wiring diagram that comes with the bulbs. There are three kinds and they wire three different ways, you’ll have to watch the whole video one once you buy the bulbs to see how you have to wire them up. If you get shunted Bulbs you take the red and blue wires and strip them all and put them together and connect that to the black hot wire coming into the fixture, the ballast is not involved and is not connected to anything, and the two yellow wires will go to the white power wire coming to the fixture. It’s that simple. However some bulbs wire differently which is why you need to purchase the bulbs first and use their wiring instructions to install them.

[@centscents]

I have a very old fluorescent light fixture. Thanks for the video. Does white have to connect with yellow lines and blue/red with black line?

[@MrHardware1]

The colors aren’t important, what’s more important is all the wires on the right go to the hot (black) and all the wires on the left go to the neutral (white) sorry it’s confusing. It could be the other way around, all the wires on the right could go the neutral, and all the wires in the left could go to the hot, they will still work fine.

[@centscents]

@@MrHardware1 Great! Thanks.

[@MrHanowski]

Great video, thanks! Got a link to where to get the correct bulbs when bypassing the ballast (4000 and 5000)?

[@MrHardware1]

@@MrHanowski sorry, the manufacturers modify and change the builds constantly. As a last resort we sell them at the hardware store , ask for Jenn or Daniel, 586-596-7276

[@ftbracing8434]

I have a row of lights that are wired together do I have to do all at once

[@oltim04]

I did this , but it did my work. I was trying this because the ballast heat kept shutting the build off. What next?