6ft led tube recommendations

[Spark plug]

Ok I have 13 6ft fluorescent lamps in the workshop (4 x twin and 5 single). All of the lamps are coming to the end of their life, well those that still come on.

So rather than replacing with fluorescents again I have been pondering replacing with LED, but their dose not seem to be much choice in 6ft, dose anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Ruffian]

I have recently bought 8 5ft lights from smart lighting.
As the 50w 5ft led were only £25 each.
I will be letting people know what they are like when they rock up later this week.

https://www.smart-light.co.uk/product/50w-led-batten-light-samsung-150cm-5ft/

 

[reb78]

I always get confused with this.

Can you replace an old fluorescent tube with an LED one without any modifications to the fitting or do you have to do other things?

 

[Spark plug]

I always get confused with this.

Can you replace an old fluorescent tube with an LED one without any modifications to the fitting or do you have to do other things?

It depends on the type of fitting I believe, you can put them straight in old switch start fittings but in high frequency fittings you have to bypas the ballast.

 

[Shox Dr]

Wouldn’t bother. Id buy a box of 10 off ebay, I fiited these a couple of yrs ago. Brilliant, and so bright

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2ft-3ft-...ehouse-/114448235654?var=&hash=item1aa5a57c86


even cheaper now

 

[PEZZER]

I put up 6 of these in a large single garage 18 months ago and they are so much better than the previous fluorescents. They do 6ft versions too
https://www.superlecdirect.com/p-atorled5-ansell-tornado-ip65-led-noncorrosive-30w-fitting-5ft

 

[qwakers]

https://www.lampshoponline.com/led/led-tubes-high-quality/6ft-28w-led-t8-tube-single-ended.html

get rid of the ballast, wire live and neutral to one end. jobs a goodun

 

[fizzy]

I am not so impressed with the LED tubes. Same power output per watt as a flouro tube.
IF they last a lot longer then it is worth it - notice I say IF - not been too impressed with LED lifespans so far.

 

[qwakers]

the ones i linked are a LOT brighter than the flouro's they replaced. and, 6 months in, have already outlasted a couple that i fitted in the past.

 

[Barking Mat]

I've no experience of these.

Three years ago I bought a 10 w , 20 w and 30 w led projectors.

The 10 watt and 20 watt have both died ini the last 5 days, they've had roughly equal amount of use, just waiting for the 30 watt to die now.....

PreProgrammed obsolence?

 

[reb78]

https://www.lampshoponline.com/led/led-tubes-high-quality/6ft-28w-led-t8-tube-single-ended.html

get rid of the ballast, wire live and neutral to one end. jobs a goodun

Haha. At 7m up on the end of a ladder at full extension raised in the bucket of a mates JCB I need more plug and play than that! I might stick with the old tubes for now...

 

[Barking Mat]

I am not so impressed with the LED tubes. Same power output per watt as a flouro tube.
IF they last a lot longer then it is worth it - notice I say IF - not been too impressed with LED lifespans so far.

Exactly.

 

[Barking Mat]

Exactly.

Can't find a reliable supplier of bulbs either.

I date and Mark the suppliers name on bulbs I put in the house, guaranteed 3 years? If they last 6 months to a year? I've started saving the receipts they're that bad...

Yes energy saving but....

 

[reb78]

Can't find a reliable supplier of bulbs either.

I date and Mark the suppliers name on bulbs I put in the house, guaranteed 3 years? If they last 6 months to a year? I've started saving the receipts they're that bad...

Yes energy saving but....

haha. Good on you.

I have the additional problem that I hate the light output from energy savers and LEDs. So much so I've started buying incandescents 'for use in traffic lights only' from sellers in Eastern Europe!

 

[Barking Mat]

haha. Good on you.

I have the additional problem that I hate the light output from energy savers and LEDs. So much so I've started buying incandescents 'for use in traffic lights only' from sellers in Eastern Europe!

Can you explain more please, and preferred suppliers?

 

[ukracer]

Wouldn’t bother. Id buy a box of 10 off ebay, I fiited these a couple of yrs ago. Brilliant, and so bright

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2ft-3ft-...ehouse-/114448235654?var=&hash=item1aa5a57c86


even cheaper now

Those sound well priced. Do they need a power supply or is it built in?

 

[fizzy]

Wouldn’t bother. Id buy a box of 10 off ebay, I fiited these a couple of yrs ago. Brilliant, and so bright

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2ft-3ft-...ehouse-/114448235654?var=&hash=item1aa5a57c86


even cheaper now

How can they claim this? All the tubes I have looked at are the same wattage LED as Flouro for the same light output!


Replaces T8 / T5 Tube fluorescent Lights &
Reduce Energy Bills up to 80%

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LAFLT36DL.html

4 ft traditional tube 36W 3360 Lumens
4ft LED 36W 3200 lumes

So in fact the traditional tube uses less electric and lasts just as long!

 

[reb78]

Can you explain more please, and preferred suppliers?

I like dim, warm lighting. I hate overhead lights. So much so that I often use paraffin lamps rather than electric!!

I bought through any-lamp.co.uk last time i bought bulbs - the incandescents were all in packages that were marked for use in traffic lights only (they were normal E27 screw type on the last order). Very little English on the packs, I forget which country/language it actually was! They are expensive now compared to 15 years ago though!.... i need to buy more paraffin for Christmas.

 

[Barking Mat]

We had traditional lightbulbs before, about a year ago I changed every single bulb to leds.

Theoretically, the two bulbs (2 x 75 watts ) in the back shed alone, now replaced should have compensated for the entire house. It's pretty huge.

But fractional change in the electricity bill. If anything it's gone up.

That could be the tumble dryer mind you.

Minimal electric heating, but water tank, washing machine , Tumblr dryer, oven, the hob is gas, two woodburners, and God I love our electric blanket.

 

[armalites]

I just fitted some Ansell Tornado PRO 6' twin a couple of weeks back. Very impressed with them, IP65 rated and very bright instant light. I cannot fault them. Anyone who says flourescents are just as good has never used one of these.I have some clear panels in the roof and these things still make a big difference during the day. They come with quick release fittings for wiring and mounting.They were £42 each and come with a 5yr warranty

I've done the whole cheap/bulk LED thing before and they seem great at the begining but I won't do it again. You go from thinking they are great to suddenly realising that things aren't as bright as they were. You may save initially but in my experience they just aren't as good.