Convert Fluorescent Shop Light to Direct Wire LED (bypassing/removing ballast)
31,178
Published 2021-08-22
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.
All Comments (17)
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I think you should mention that these bulbs are type B double ended. Type B single ended would need to be wired differently.
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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.
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Code says need a connecter to protect the wire entering the fixture
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We have type A bulbs and type.B which are wired different.
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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.
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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?
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Where do you get these bulbs? Do they come in different lengths?
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What if you have a daisy chain of light fixtures, how do you bypass the ballast?? Is the concept the same?
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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?
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wire nuts have been banned here in new zealand as unsafe. use a screwed connecter instead
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I have some like that. They are plug and play
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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.
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Are all ballast bypass bulbs wired in this manner or are you just going through the motions and hoping it works?
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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.
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Does it really matter what color wire nuts do I use.
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What bulbs did work. Please give me the mfg and model #.
