Oh thank god someone with a brain made a video about it. Everyone is either blabbing way too much, fast forwarding the process and blabbing or not showing the steps. I cant find the florecent parts anywhere so now ive got to spend 10x as much as a new bulb to replace the freaking 2x4 light. Much appreciated that you kept it simple!!!
you've got this! If they are wired individually it's pretty easy. if they are chained together, then it can get a little tight in the junction box, but it's not too bad. I really like the light output on these. I think it's way better than the old tubes.
@@RoscoReviews Finally got them wired and working. Had to chain 3 together. you're right, it's tight in those chi-com junction boxes. The Romex is difficult to work with. I had to have my wife hold them up as I wired them but they all work and provide a heck of a lot more light! Thanks again!
I just ordered one for my basement office. The fluorescent light is up in the drop ceiling and has a clear panel under it, so the light is both harsh and insufficient! When we had our kitchen renovated, the contractor installed wafer LEDs in the ceiling, and I’ve been considering them in the basement, but this makes more sense. Get rid of the old faded clear plastic, bring the light source right to the ceiling and no need to cut holes in drop ceiling panels.
Yes! I’ve replaced some fluorescent to LED replacements. And honestly, this is easier than cutting out the ballasts and rewriting the fixtures for leds. It’s about the same price, Plus I think it looks better!
I'm probably going to have to do this live. Unfortunately the office lights are tied into the hallway lights don't know why they didn't have separate breakers. Im going to try not to trip nothing to stop everyone from working lol.
That probably depends on how the building codes work where you are. The wiring isn't complicated. But sometimes in commercial buildings the city may require it.
Whom ever put the drop ceiling in the house I just purchased used shop lights behind a diffuser. Each light is plugged into an outlet. I do have a light that the ballast is going out of. Can I switch out one or two lights at a time or do I need to do all at once? Thanks
You could change them out one at a time. But they will look quite a bit different than what is there. If it were me, I would probably do them all at once. You can string them together wiring each one into the next. So it goes pretty fast.
@@RoscoReviews Thank you. I think that I will do them all at once now. Your advice help and I looked at the number of lights. There are fewer then I thought. It helps to be able to go down and just look instead of moving boxed to the basement in a hurry and just glancing. I only have four to change out. Thanks
Hi Brother. I tried to replace two panel lights, which use the same on / off switch. What happens is only the ones close to the on/ off switch turn off when the switch is in off position. Can you tell me what was wrong?
It’s really hard to say without looking at it. My first thought would be a loose wire. The junction boxes on these can be pretty tight. So maybe something came loose when closing the box. Could be a bad panel, but I’ve actually never wired one up that didn’t work.
ceiling panels are suppose to be clipped to the T brackets. It doesn't take much wind to push up acoustic panels and knock them out of place. The LED panels are slightly heavier, but I suppose in a windy area it could be a hazard for those as well. In some places building codes require ceiling panels to be clipped in.
I think the LED panels have been available for quite some time, but I imagine the prices have come down a lot so they are a more viable option for everyone now. I have been using them for a few years and I really like them.
I tried installing these in my office. The line voltage must have been to high. Sparks flew and popped a breaker. I'm looking to see if someone talks about ballasts
Hmm. These should run directly off the 110 line. You shouldn’t need a ballast or anything. That kind of sounds like there was a short. Or perhaps the hot line accidentally made contact with the metal hosing somewhere and it grounded out.
The problem is, is it a light fixture or just a light? Because LEDs burn out pretty quick with long use, especially since company's do some things to make sure they do. Buying a whole new light & re wiring all the time would get annoying. So is their lights that go can be changed in & out, & how hard is it?
I haven’t had them installed long enough to speak to their longevity yet. I don’t think These panels are meant to have the diodes changed out. So when it does go out it would mean changing the whole panel. If that is a concern, then you could change the old fluorescent bulbs to LED tubes. That does require rewording the fixture to not include the ballast. But it’s not too difficult to do. Then the bulbs are changeable.
@@RoscoReviews It seemed like a good idea, especially since it is light weight but yeah if you used the light all the time, it would probably cost a pretty penny. Thanks for letting me know.
it's all fun and games until the LED troffers start going brown in the middle. it's great, but i'l only ever switch to LED if there is a way of emulating the sound, look and feel of a fluorescent fixture, but with the energy and output advantages of LED. also, for a storage aplicAtion, undiffused, bare LED's work the best. also, you need to check with a slow - motion camera how instant start it is, if it is not perfectly bang on the switch in 0.0 seconds, then it's most likely going to fail prematurely due to the incorrect driver (ballast) used in the LED fixture. .
I don't have a slow motion camera to check these, but I installed about 100 of them 2 years ago at one of my properties and I haven't had one of them burn out yet. They are mostly in storage areas so I can't confirm on running life areas though.
Oh thank god someone with a brain made a video about it. Everyone is either blabbing way too much, fast forwarding the process and blabbing or not showing the steps. I cant find the florecent parts anywhere so now ive got to spend 10x as much as a new bulb to replace the freaking 2x4 light. Much appreciated that you kept it simple!!!
Glad I could help! I try to keep all of my videos as simple and to the point as possible :)
Nicely done Rocco. Just what I was looking for to replace our 2x2 ceiling light panels (u shaped bulbs) Many thanks!
happy to help! I still really like the ones that I have installed. and i haven't had one burn out yet.
I just did that at my job and feel so proud that I learned something new thanks to people like you ❤😊
That’s awesome! I love hearing the success stories.
Thanks Roscoe! I was about to buy some ballasts.
I was in the same boat. But, these are a lot cheaper than I thought they would be, and they will save on utilities in the long run.
Yo! I greatly appreciate this video ! Incredibly informative and straight to the point. Thanks man!
You are welcome. Happy I could help!
Thank you, Roscoe
Very informative. I am about to replace three 2 x 4 drop ceiling LED panels in my basement.
Wish me luck lol 😝
you've got this! If they are wired individually it's pretty easy. if they are chained together, then it can get a little tight in the junction box, but it's not too bad. I really like the light output on these. I think it's way better than the old tubes.
@@RoscoReviews Finally got them wired and working. Had to chain 3 together.
you're right, it's tight in those chi-com junction boxes. The Romex is difficult to work with. I had to have my wife hold them up as I wired them but they all work and provide a heck of a lot more light!
Thanks again!
Excellent video, very informative. Thank you!
You’re welcome. Happy to help!
Thanks for the video 👍
no problem. Happy to help!
I just ordered one for my basement office. The fluorescent light is up in the drop ceiling and has a clear panel under it, so the light is both harsh and insufficient!
When we had our kitchen renovated, the contractor installed wafer LEDs in the ceiling, and I’ve been considering them in the basement, but this makes more sense. Get rid of the old faded clear plastic, bring the light source right to the ceiling and no need to cut holes in drop ceiling panels.
Yeah. For drop ceilings, these are so easy! I’m a big fan.
Yeah. For drop ceilings, these are so easy! I’m a big fan.
@@steev182 Are you leaving the fluorescent ballast in and installing the LED panels underneath them?
@@MichaelGlasson nope! I disconnected the whole fixture and removed it from the joist it was mounted to. It was simple enough though.
awesome video. I'm gonna do these instead of messing with led bulb refits
Yes! I’ve replaced some fluorescent to LED replacements. And honestly, this is easier than cutting out the ballasts and rewriting the fixtures for leds. It’s about the same price, Plus I think it looks better!
@@RoscoReviews agree!
@@RoscoReviews Can you just place these LED panels underneath the fluorescent ballasts so they don't even need to be removed?
What are those clips you had holding the surface mounted fixtures?
These fluorescent lights were hung from the T pieces of the drop ceiling with a clip similar to this one:
amzn.to/4gwroQS
I'm probably going to have to do this live. Unfortunately the office lights are tied into the hallway lights don't know why they didn't have separate breakers. Im going to try not to trip nothing to stop everyone from working lol.
Bummer… I’m sure it can be done. But, it’s definitely always easier and safer to turn the power off.
To replace the LED lighting, in my office, would I need an electrician?
That probably depends on how the building codes work where you are. The wiring isn't complicated. But sometimes in commercial buildings the city may require it.
Did you need any additional support to hold the light over a panel?
No. I didn’t use any additional support. The led panels are surprisingly light. They might even be lighter than the ceiling tiles I removed.
@@RoscoReviews That's good, since they're going directly over my couch, haha. Thank you!
Whom ever put the drop ceiling in the house I just purchased used shop lights behind a diffuser. Each light is plugged into an outlet. I do have a light that the ballast is going out of. Can I switch out one or two lights at a time or do I need to do all at once?
Thanks
You could change them out one at a time. But they will look quite a bit different than what is there.
If it were me, I would probably do them all at once. You can string them together wiring each one into the next. So it goes pretty fast.
@@RoscoReviews Thank you. I think that I will do them all at once now. Your advice help and I looked at the number of lights. There are fewer then I thought. It helps to be able to go down and just look instead of moving boxed to the basement in a hurry and just glancing. I only have four to change out.
Thanks
Probably a dumb question, but can these be wired in series, so that I can start with one and then run AC wires to next fixture etc?
Yeah, you can. I’ve done them this way.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome! Happy to help :)
Hi Brother.
I tried to replace two panel lights, which use the same on / off switch. What happens is only the ones close to the on/ off switch turn off when the switch is in off position. Can you tell me what was wrong?
It’s really hard to say without looking at it. My first thought would be a loose wire. The junction boxes on these can be pretty tight. So maybe something came loose when closing the box. Could be a bad panel, but I’ve actually never wired one up that didn’t work.
what are the 4 metal clips around the perimeter for
ceiling panels are suppose to be clipped to the T brackets. It doesn't take much wind to push up acoustic panels and knock them out of place. The LED panels are slightly heavier, but I suppose in a windy area it could be a hazard for those as well. In some places building codes require ceiling panels to be clipped in.
Hey great video, big help can i put two of those in the same line I want to buy 2 but planing to place it a little separate thanks for your help.
yes. You can run them in a string.
@@RoscoReviews Thank you very much!!!
Thank you
Happy to help!
When did these LED panels come out? I'm just seeing them for the first time.
I think the LED panels have been available for quite some time, but I imagine the prices have come down a lot so they are a more viable option for everyone now. I have been using them for a few years and I really like them.
I tried installing these in my office. The line voltage must have been to high. Sparks flew and popped a breaker. I'm looking to see if someone talks about ballasts
Hmm. These should run directly off the 110 line. You shouldn’t need a ballast or anything. That kind of sounds like there was a short. Or perhaps the hot line accidentally made contact with the metal hosing somewhere and it grounded out.
The problem is, is it a light fixture or just a light? Because LEDs burn out pretty quick with long use, especially since company's do some things to make sure they do. Buying a whole new light & re wiring all the time would get annoying. So is their lights that go can be changed in & out, & how hard is it?
I haven’t had them installed long enough to speak to their longevity yet. I don’t think These panels are meant to have the diodes changed out. So when it does go out it would mean changing the whole panel. If that is a concern, then you could change the old fluorescent bulbs to LED tubes. That does require rewording the fixture to not include the ballast. But it’s not too difficult to do. Then the bulbs are changeable.
@@RoscoReviews It seemed like a good idea, especially since it is light weight but yeah if you used the light all the time, it would probably cost a pretty penny. Thanks for letting me know.
plz brand name of light panel?
There is a link for these lights in the description. The link has all the specs and pricing. I’ll copy it here:
amzn.to/3VnJ32p
it's all fun and games until the LED troffers start going brown in the middle. it's great, but i'l only ever switch to LED if there is a way of emulating the sound, look and feel of a fluorescent fixture, but with the energy and output advantages of LED. also, for a storage aplicAtion, undiffused, bare LED's work the best. also, you need to check with a slow - motion camera how instant start it is, if it is not perfectly bang on the switch in 0.0 seconds, then it's most likely going to fail prematurely due to the incorrect driver (ballast) used in the LED fixture.
.
I don't have a slow motion camera to check these, but I installed about 100 of them 2 years ago at one of my properties and I haven't had one of them burn out yet. They are mostly in storage areas so I can't confirm on running life areas though.
Install a22CGTS-L3C3R
Is that a specific model? Most of these drop in panel lights install same way.
Great explanation. Thank you
Your welcome!