Converting 2x2 and 2x4 fluorescent lighting to LED
#1
09-08-18, 07:32 PM
Converting 2x2 and 2x4 fluorescent lighting to LED
I just purchased a home with a finished basement with a suspended ceiling. The lighting is the traditional fluorescent 2x2 and 2x4. Is there an easy way to convert to dimmable leds without replacing the entire troffer?
#2
09-08-18, 07:39 PM
Group Moderator
It's easy to just install LED replacement tubes. However, the dimming part is not quite as easy.
It can be quite experiment to find a dimmable replacement LED tube.
It can be quite experiment to find a dimmable replacement LED tube.
#4
09-08-18, 07:42 PM
Group Moderator
I've done a lot of conversions but haven't found a tube that dims well.
Many claim dimmable but work poorly.
Many claim dimmable but work poorly.
#5
09-16-18, 05:49 AM
Circling back on this... so can I simply replace the current tubes with an LED tube? It doesn’t have to be fully dimmable. I was hoping I could just increase/decrease the intensity a bit.
#6
09-17-18, 05:59 AM
Group Moderator
Yes, there are LED bulbs that you simply install in place of the fluorescent bulb. These bulbs still rely on the fluorescent light ballast so they are not as energy efficient and you still have the ballast as a point of failure.
When converting to LED's I like to get line powered bulbs. You re-wire the fixture removing the ballast and send 120 VAC directly to the bulb according to the bulb's instructions.
When converting to LED's I like to get line powered bulbs. You re-wire the fixture removing the ballast and send 120 VAC directly to the bulb according to the bulb's instructions.
#7
09-17-18, 06:46 AM
As long as you are comfortable doing the wiring, and are willing to spend a little more time on the front end to do it, my preference would be to eliminate the ballast as well. It's more likely than not that you will have ballasts fail anyway, so eliminate them and be done with it. I believe that they will be more energy efficient without the ballasts, and if a bulb ever does fail you will know it's exactly that, a failed bulb, and nothing else.
#8
09-17-18, 08:33 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
I was installing flat panel LED troffer replacements last week. Not sure is they were dimmable or not. Less than 2" thick at the driver compartment.
