Swapping Fluorescent Garage Lights to LED
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- Today I had a quick little service call to go out and replace some 2x4 fluorescent lights in a garage, to new LED lights.
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This job was a very simple one, actually love little lighting jobs like this because they're very margin-rich. The first thing I do is open up the new lights and make sure they're going to work in the space and that there are no surprises I'm going to run into, before taking the other fixtures down.
Next, I turn off power to the circuit at the electrical panel. Now I can work on the existing wires without the worry of being shocked. I remove the existing lamps and belly pan and disconnect the wires from each other. Then I unscrew the toggle bolts that are holding the fluorescent fixture to the ceiling. Once I pull the first light down, I move over and do the second one next. I like to do all of the removal before moving on to installing new fixtures. This is because as you do a task you become faster at it along the way. Rather than switching gears and changing what you're doing constantly which I find slows you down.
Next, I put the new fixtures up. I found the holes were in different places on the new fixtures so I ended up having to make new holes with my keyhole saw on the second fixture. Then I screwed the toggle bolts in place and secured the fixtures. Since there's no bulbs for these LED fixtures, I just put the belly pan and reflector on the fixtures and boom, I'm done. Then I go turn power back on and test the lights. All good, on to the next job!
#electrical #ledlights #fluorescent #servicecall
Great video! I am an retired 20 year U.S. Navy Electrician and I support the approach to go turn the circuit breaker off and add placing white duck tape over the local switch (electrical write work in-process) on the tape. Just something that popped into my mind. Could be a very useful step to include in your process. Keep up the good work Sir!
Just found your channel, really enjoying your content. The production quality is high, the content is useful, and I cannot praise enough going into the code book and explaining each section. That thing is dry, and having someone else read through it really helps with comprehension.
Thank you for code, safety, and work ethics all in one video. As a do it yourselfer, great video.
actually he's on step too high; according to OSHA safety, you should never step above the second to the top step on an A-frame ladder!
More like these PLEASE!
Best piece of advice i've gotten is ALWAYS do your work like it is live
And prove it yourself, never trust someone else telling you it's off.
Bingo!! Very smart...
Have you ever had someone say "let me turn the light on for you" and there not joking?
Done tons of led retrofits but I watch videos like this to see how others do it to hopefully catch helpful tricks that help make it easier/faster to do so thanks for the hands on videos like this and all your other content.
Also: Nintendo For Life!
Too high on the ladder buddy...😆 great vid bro.
This guy ladders.
Yes. Thought so too.
Sometimes we all learn the hard way.
I buddy of mine learned this the hard way when an OSHA inspector came around the corner and he was standing like this. Ended up getting hit with a big fine.
Found the safety guy
Love your videos, you and Sparky Channel are my two go-to electrical channels on TH-cam. I'm a handyman and currently working my way through your Electrician U series, which is excellent
Never heard about or seen quick connects for those fixtures before. But I've also only ever worked on them in my home. I'll watch out for those in the future. I'm just now starting to replace my florescents with LEDs. Thanks for the info!
As someone who collects old lighting gear, one thing I've realized is that 4 lamp F40T12 ballasts either don't exist, or are so rare that it's not worth using them in 4 lamp fixtures.
I usually prefer to retrofit fixtures to LED rather than replacing, especially if the old fixtures are still in good shape. Mostly because I've seen a good few LED fixtures fail before their rated lives, and in almost every case, the fixture has to be replaced due to the non-serviceable design of most LED fixtures, and a lot of LED tubes could be bought for about the same cost as a pair of fluorescent tubes. (anywhere between $4 to $10 per LED tube, depending on who you source it from and what type).
The old fixtures appear to be made by Lithonia Lighting, the same mfg who made the new fixtures you're installing, one thing about their LED fixtures is a lot of times, they reuse the same housings used for their fluorescent fixtures with their LED fixtures (granted, others might do the same, I just have more experience with Lithonia). Now there's nothing inherently wrong with that, it just means you could achieve the same thing by putting LED strips in the fluorescent version of the fixture.
I agree, it feels wasteful replacing an entire fixture vs a bulb.
That’s what I thought this video was going to do when the term retrofit was used. All he did was replace fluorescent with LED; retrofit is exactly what you described, using the old fluorescent fixture with LED.
This is very true, i actually try to avoid led when i can i have recently fitted a fluorescent into one of my rooms, and a SON lantern in my shed as apposed to led
Retrofitted our entire building to fluorescent T8's from F40 years ago. Recently started slowing switching to LED T8's by area in the building. Just put the new LED tubes in place and you are done. Side benefit is no dead fixtures in the landfill and we store the used tubes to replace in the areas not switched over.
@@williamc4364 what is Dustin doing in the video
Got my replacement LED's yesterday and installed them today. Thanks for the excellent instructions!
I always practice lock out / tag out in my home. I just DO NOT like getting a electrical buzz!
one of the best instructional videos I've seen on YT. Thanks!!! You are def good at what you do.
If someone is around who might think about turning power on, I tell them I triple the bill if I get zapped.
⚠️🤕😏
Remove and wire nut the hot wire.
Thanks for sharing you wealth of knowledge Dustin! I have learned a lot from your channel. Will you be making some video in the future talking about the topic of motors and motor controls?
Do video about your van and what van you recommend using for electrician
He has a video of his van on his other channel. How he custom outfitted it. I’d like to get an update on that, and/or how you use it.
Yeeeessssss
@@brandonknight7240 sorry but I just don’t remember asking
Has he done this?
@@mvilla235 yea I’d like to see an update as well.
I do this type of work all day for ComEd Energy Efficiency Program. Boss is dead on w/ this video! Good job!
Love the way you did this video! Code time, safety tips, etc!!
Remember not to stand on the top two rungs of the ladder. Work safely by getting a taller ladder.
Remember Apprentices are watching and learning.
Safety is key
Amen. If I made a habit of what he’s doing I’d probably be a paraplegic by now. Bad stuff, no matter how overconfident you are.
You're absolutely right but sometimes ya just gotta git'r done though bud, grabbing the taller ladder after realizing ya need it means a trip back to the van loading/unloading two ladders instead of one and that's just bad math...
Sure we'd be wise to pay attention to ceiling height before deciding which ladder to grab but if you've already been lugging ladders around all day along with tons of other crap while the boss watches (aka apprenticing) ya might do what ya can to lessen the loads on your back even if it might put ya in a questionable safety position. 😄
I'm surprised the lawyers have not already made the ladder manufactures remove those top steps and just make it solid plastic or something by now .
Safety never takes a holiday
Pilots have a saying. There are some old pilots and there are some bold pilots. There are no old bold pilots. It is the same for electricians.
Great video Dustin. A lot of good information in the content. I like the safety and code nuggets a lot.
Great Video. I'm doing my 1st florescent change out. Appreciate your knowledge and sharing. Thx Again
Just did this. Thanks for your help
In our industrial plant we are replacing old fluorescent lightbulbs with ballast bypass LED lightbulbs. We don’t have to remove the ballast to recycle. Just take the in-line hot and connect to the line side of the tombstones. And the neutral to the neutral side of the tombstones. Large cost savings going from a 34w to a 24w led
They also make t12 leds, u remove the ballasts and direct wire the end connectors to mains. They’re the most convenient swap out and when one of the leds burns out you don’t have to swap a whole fixture again.
yeah we do a lot of retrofitting, removing ballasts and wiring them direct 120v
You need to add the stickers to each fixture to show that it’s 120V and not ballasted.
@@danlux4954 usually you do this institution wide so it’s not like anyone will have any other options but I do see the point of dbling down against people making mistakes. Stickers is a good idea
@@arsenicjones9125 the led 120V bulbs I had purchased had the stickers included, but I have since installed electronic ballasts and when to the retrofit led bulbs. Probably use the 120V ones in my garage.
@@danlux4954 I’m using the 120v ones for my shop and I split the 4 tubes onto 2 switches. So now I have different light level and different color temperature options.
Great video, I like the service call approach as well as the graphics, keep up the good work. Mastering the visual craft😎✌️👍
Loved this video, just what I needed to hear but your way of teaching - your process was entertaining, informative and I subscribed to your channel!
I installed sixteen 4' long LED Shop Light Fixtures in a friend's Cabinet Woodworking Shop. Mounted them to the Steel Purlins with self-tapping self drilling sheet metal screws with 1/4 '' hex heads and used 1/2 '' Steel EMT from fixture to fixture and from the wall mounted switch box to the first fixture, a few years ago . I installed a 4'' square junction box at the start for each row of lights to feed the EMT from to the fixtures. I used Velcro Straps to hold the fixtures in place until I got them drilled and attached in place with the self-tapping self drilling sheet metal screws with the 1/4'' hex heads. He was very happy and satisfied with the finished job and they are super bright and really light up his Cabinet Woodworking Shop ! I did the whole installation by working off a scaffold about 10 ' off of the floor by myself.
Always great to see a new upload of yours.
Great tips. Thanks Dustin . Keep Em coming.
Thanks for the tips as well i enjoyed it.
That's was an awesome job, normally I don't mind the going up and down the ladder, as long as I don't fall from up there.. Your job was great, thank you so much for sharing
Good tips -thank you! Please also do a feature on replacement LED tubes, retaking the old fitting etc. thanks for sharing buddy!
Thanks. Great video. I'm in apprentice training and view your channel often, and so do my classmates.
Awesome video man. You make very helpful videos.
Excellent video - greatly explained minor and major details . Thanks bro
Awesome channel!! Properly versed, and clearly spoken. 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌
This video was really insightful, as I’m more used to working electrical install as an apprentice. I’m about to take on a four month service call to swap out old fixtures and installing LEDs in each one, along with tons of light switch replacements in a big school.
Awesome job! You’re a true craftsman!💪🏼
Nice video, I love how you always emphasize on safety.
Nice video! Great work! I call it a diffuser, not a reflector. I use 1/4" toggle bolts with a 1/2" paddle bit for the holes. You have to get used to working live as a professional electrician. But yes, I turn it off whenever possible. A neutral will kill faster than a hot wire ever thought. When in commercial environment, this is why there is a need for the quick connects. Thoss are there for anyone who has to maintain the fixtures after install. The neutral has the consumed current vs. The hot before it is consumed by the light or equipment. I've know good electricians that are no longer with us because of not understanding this and worked live on 277volt lighting. Working live doesn't make you a hardass. Be safe and great video!
Good thoughts and I never thought of the neutral like that. I like to reed the comments because everyone has a different approach. I always learn something. Thanks for writing in your comment
You gotta love when you quote a job and the customer says " but my friends sister's dad's uncle said he would do it for a case of beer" 🙄😂
I always reply then why'd you call me?
U. Well produced video, clearly delivered. I'm on a code expert for here in the UK, but fundamentally there is comparison and logic. Good stuff.
Dude, I had no way of expecting "Sponsor Time". This is not the type of video I'd expect to see something like that in. I almost died laughing.
Excellent video! Thank you!
I love your videos man, good instructional, certain things you mention such as pulling down the fixture when removing or drilling in screws, those are things only people that are in the biz know lol.
very nice. especially liked learning how to prep the toggle bolts!
I've worked on a lot of T12 Fluorescent fixtures myself. The most recent one was an 8ft fixture above my workbench. As far has having multiple ballasts, one possibility is that they used ballasts rated for only two lamps, and those fixtures have 4 lamps, so two ballasts. Most electronic ballasts can support 4 lamps, but the fixtures featured here look "vintage", as in not having had replacements for a few decades.
Coolest video edit!!!! Keep it going!
Thanks for sharing this useful information about changing fluorescent lamp to LED Lights
Awesome and informative video. Full of great valuable and helpful information. I thank you for that. So glad I came across your channel. You now have another new subscriber.
Thanks for watching and welcome!
How about cutting the ballast out and installing 120v led bulbs ?
Probably made more profit from full replacement or had extra fixtures he needed to recoup cost on. 😆
@@eds6569 - for some reason I got the impression that the homeowner bought those fixtures.
@@stevebabiak6997 I wish they'd never do that with anything. Majority of the time it's a clearance item(s)/cheap pos with a multitude of unnecessary extra parts/steps you have to baby to install without shit breaking apart.
I personally refuse to install those. The fixture wiring and sockets are not rated for line voltage.
@@welderboy525 Most ballast put out over 500 volts
I love doing LED conversions. Super easy. Exactly why I do them myself ;)
Love those jobs too bro. You’re right as well, turn the breaker off when you can. Almost had a customer hit light switch before, my yell stopped her in her tracks 😂. It was one of those older houses with the messy wiring & unlabeled panel.
Thanks for making these!
Nice video Dustin. I also appreciated the code reference as well.
You should do a video about what you can and can’t do on your own as an apprentice.
Everything that’s doesn’t include getting the main power shutoff. Basically you can mess with the panel but you can’t pull a permit to get the power shut off so you can’t replace it. Everything else is fair game, be careful if you don’t have insurance and check your local regulations. Mine doesn’t allow work worth over $25,000. Home owners can pull homeowners permit which would allow you to change out your panel or a family members but this can be tricky to get approved sometimes
You shouldn't work on anything live for the first 3-5 years as an apprentice IMO. This will help develop the use of testing equipment and create a better respect for electricity. I always have to have a level of respect for electricity as an electrician and the day I start underestimating the need for testing is the day I need to quit. This is why its better to not work on anything live for at least the first 3-5 years as an apprentice.
@@Jzzonem Maybe true but fact of the matter is working on live stuff is kinda part of the job, often ya don't really have a choice and getting bit a couple times in the beginning is how most of us learn to best avoid it. LoL
It's kinda like those times when we were kids and our parents told us not to do something and explained the consequences if we did but as soon as they left the room we were like YOLO! and did it anyway, hard lesson learned and the smart ones never do it again. 😆
@@eds6569 I would say that is true if your an experienced electrician and you get complacent. Not as an early on apprentice. I work on anything from 120volts to 2600volts. 2600 volts would obviously be something you don't have the luxury of getting bit from. In my experience there is never any good reason why someone should have gotten shocked, but it happens. Apprentices need to first learn how to work safely. I know a lot of old electricians and a lot of bold electricians, but I dont know any old bold electricians. I can appreciate what your saying and still laugh about it, but I dont agree.
@@eds6569 As the old proverb goes “A smart man learns from his own mistakes, but a wise man learns from other people’s mistakes”, another 1 I like is “a Jack of all trades is a master of none, but is still more valuable than a master of one”. Most people drop the 2nd part of that adage. I’m a 25 year vet of HVAC and 3 years ago became an electrician apprentice. I work for a company that does HVAC , plumbing, and electrical, when HVAC is slow due to weather I’ll move to electrical and help them out. I can already do plumbing and electrical but why not pick up another card and get paid for it
Love the video. I like the m12 impact Milwaukee for every day use ! Work smarter not harder!!
Quality set. Very well arranged.
Those existing Fixtures still looked pretty good, I would have just got Ballast bypass LED Tubes!
I have those same exact boots. Wasn't sure if they were the same until the sponsor part came up.
I have a quick hint that has saved me a few headaches and the Up&Down Ladder Game. 1st I get (2)PVC (SDR) 4"× 30" w/ test caps glued on bottom ziptied one to each leg on the outside. This will hold the old T8 bulbs as well as the new ones.
2nd I get a magnet strip for tool bench and ziptye it to the fly leg of the ladder. It holds the ballast covers.
Another great video man! Couple ideas for future vids, residential load calculations, and sizing breakers, conductors, and or fuses for appliances like AC units and hot tubs.
The city I worked for went all LED. My coworker and I converted over 200 to LED's. We got really fast and good doing them after so many. Having two people made it so much better. One of us would go up the ladder and one would grab the old parts and hand up the new LED ballast and bulbs then the cover. You still got sore but going up and down the ladder only once per fixture was a lot easier. The ground guy also toted the ladder. That made for some long days. Neither one of us were spring chickens either. We used the same fixture 90 percent of the time. We just pulled out the old ballasts and secured and capped off all the exposed wires.
Love your stuff. Safety Tip. Work off a properly sized ladder. You are always on the top or second to top rung. Also, just because the light switch is off doesn't mean the wires in the light box are. Many times the feeds go to the light with only switch legs going down to the switch. Turn off the breaker. Tag it or at least put tape over it. If the lightning doesn't get you the 9 foot fall after the lightning might. Stay Safe!
Customers trying to be helpful scare the crap out of me. They see me working in the dark and are like, " here, let me turn the lights on for you".
It just doesn't click until you tell them you don't appreciate not being blinded by a blue flash in a dark room while your on a ladder.
I can’t believe how many comments there are about customers flipping switches/breakers. That’s absolutely bonkers
Love the new format for the videos. Sections for code, sponsors, teaching, advice.. well done. Standing on the top two steps of the ladder is an issue for these other folks who are probably not from Texas where the fuzz on the peaches is thicker than most other states. I doubt OSHA was planning a trip to the garage you were changing these 8' high lights. Remember folks, he's a master, not some new apprentice that has never used anything bigger than a step ladder to get their captain crunch out of the pantry. Much love from Cali, brotato. Keep on keepin on.
He should have used an 8 foot ladder here. I can tell he is a master at what he does but I also noticed he dropped one of the bolts that secured the light he was removing and when a bolt is loose on the floor and you set a ladder up, the bolt can make that leg of the ladder prone to slipping thus unsteady. It is not about his ability here but rather an example to others he is trying to show the correct way to do this job.
He talked about not going up & down the ladder but the better thing to do here is have a table set up to work on these lights so you are not bending down and working on the floor. I would set up a rolling scaffolding high enough to work on the lights while I am right on the rolling scaffolding. But I am not from Texas.
Good video.
Thank you.
I love the ariat sponsor is great I just went and bought all new ariat boots pants shirts belts and hat today they really are the best also keep making great content
I always turn power off at the breaker. And have a lockout device that attaches to the breaker so I can physically put a padlock on the breaker. You just never know. Either that or the light switch is in another room where you can't always see it.
Great well balanced video with lots of useful information. Loved the code linking. I am sure you have a laser in getting things squarish (nothings 100 percent square). Lockout and tagout every time bro. You never know.
I appreciate that you add the Code and Safety sections in your videos! Thanks Brotha! Subscribed!
Thanks and welcome!
Well done, great video 👍👍👍👍
Naughty boy on the too short ladder. Otherwise good vid. At some point you might consider discussing use of fluoro's outdoors where they don't work in cold temps.
Flo's will work in the cold.....you need a special ballast that is rated for cold weather and goes by the total inches of the tubes.
I love these kinds of videos nice job
Great info and video. I need some of those tabs for the code book. Where did you get them.
Another great reason to shut off power at panel is too many times I've come across switched neutrals instead of switched hots, especially in older homes where the switches are on old knob and tube and someone has changed the lines somewhere in the walls to romex.
I had that happen on a 277 lighting system. I was out cold on the floor after that.
Thanks for the video! Could you do a video on how to replace ceiling fans? Or how to install a new ceiling fan in an existing ceiling?
Falling off ladders is #1 on the fall list. GET A TALLER LADDER--SONNY! Or bring scaffolding .
Good video, love that code time.
Having old two ballast fixtures also made it so you could have to bulbs come on with a switch and then the other two with another switch. Kinda a way to have dimming in an office space before 0-10v dimming.
Now how tf I never new that rule about the quick connects…. Always wire nutted ballasts… never stop learning!!! 2020 change….. - EMERGENCY disconnect on the outside … called the local power company for them to develop a disconnect in the meter socket 🤣
Wish my luck. Awesome channel!
More videos like these please!!
Another outstanding Vid.
Thoughts on doing the LED retrofit lamps and just rewiring the existing fixtures to bypass the ballast? Haven't done the numbers in a while to see if it's still cheaper for the customer that way.
Not an electrician but a few years back an older friend had multiple 48” bulbs that were bad. Lowe’s had GE LED tubes that didn’t require bypassing the ballasts, they bought the tubes and I did the ladder work for them. No need to replace the fixtures. Those tubes did have instructions on bypassing the ballasts if you need to. I think the tubes cost $8 each.
You need a sticker to be installed because adding a regular fluorescent bulb on a 120 circuit will cause them to explode. They make retrofit led tubes that work with an electronic ballast.
@@mikecumbo7531 what is Dustin doing
You, sir, are amazing.
... carry on...
Thank you! 😊
Love ur videos bro I do low voltage but I watch u all the time
A year later and I am really enjoying this video love the Sponsor Dino btw great 👍.
Just replaced 6- 4 ft florescence with LED. Perfect swap with no modification. Bulb used has compatibility with many ballasts.
Bro…you have no idea how much BS you saved me from. The toggle bolt tip was all I needed but no other vids mentioned them. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
I knew as soon as I saw the boots you knew your stuff!
G'day mate from Melbourne, Aussie. Retired "Sparkie" here and apart from the voltage and hertz, I recognised everything you said mate. Great video. Cheers , Rob
Great tidbit about the drivers vs balistes
Thank you!!!
Job well done.
Another great video!
- Journeyman Electrician Florida
You have to love the fast easy jobs that pay back at a higher charge makes up for the hard ones.
I couldn't agree with you more about eliminating risks where possible. One job that I had was replacing fluorescent lamps with LED in a common area in an animal shelter. There were people coming and going all the time in the room since it was during the shelter's adoption hours. To eliminate the risk I shut the lights off at the switch, put some duct tape over the switch, switched off the breaker, and put some duct tape over the panel door. Nothing's foolproof of course, but those physical barriers gave enough people enough pause to ask me if they could turn on the lights - while I was up on the ladder fastening the wirenuts! It worked, and I'm still here to tell the tale.
Much cheaper to just retrofit the existing fixtures, unless it an 8ft fixture those leds t12/t8 style leds are pretty expensive
Those toggle bolts can be tricky, got to outsmart those buggers!
Hell yeah I hate when they strip out lol
I enjoy ur utube channel there is a lot of difference to what we do in the uk