T8 LED Direct Power Replacement Lamps

[Ravenvalor]

Does anyone know whether or not the 120v direct wire T8 LED lamps are good reliable products. Phillips makes them and I trust the brand but I am still concerned about the customer satisfaction and overall quality of this technology. I do not believe LED retrofit kits or LED replacement troffers are going to be bright enough for this application which is a veterinary hospital. It seems to be a little dim in all of the rooms now with 4 - 4' fluorescent lamps.

Thanks for the help with this one.

 

[ActionDave]

I've had great luck with the edge lit trouffers and the led lamp replacements for making things brighter. Only time will tell about the lifespan, but they all come with one year warrantees.

 

[Little Bill]

I just did half of a Dental office, offices & exam rooms. I used line voltage tubes with 5K color and they love them.
Doing the other half soon.

 

[Ravenvalor]

I've had great luck with the edge lit trouffers and the led lamp replacements for making things brighter. Only time will tell about the lifespan, but they all come with one year warrantees.

Good to hear Dave. Were those the 120-volt self ballasted lamps? Did you find the LED lamps to be brighter than the fluorescent lamps?
Did you find the edge lit troffers to be brighter than the fluorescent lights? Were the old troffers 2 - lamp or 4 - lamp?

Thank you for the valuable advice......

 

[Ravenvalor]

I just did half of a Dental office, offices & exam rooms. I used line voltage tubes with 5K color and they love them.
Doing the other half soon.

Did you replace the 4 - sockets also Bill? Were the new LED lamps brighter than the fluorescents?

Thanks...

 

[Little Bill]

Did you replace the 4 - sockets also Bill? Were the new LED lamps brighter than the fluorescents?

Thanks...

Only replaced ones that were cracked/broken. As I said, the Dentist and workers loved them. Yes they were brighter.

 

[LightingGuySD]

I have used LED Tubes in several applications, the only complaint I have recieved is that they are too bright. A good rule of thumb is to take the current lumen rating of the fluorescent system and cut it in half for the LED system. Keep in mind fluorescent tubes waste a lot of their lumens bouncing off of reflectors, while LEDS direct all of their lumens down the the space where you want them.

 

[LarryFine]

I recommend avoiding the type that allow the ballast to remain in the circuit.

 

[Little Bill]

I recommend avoiding the type that allow the ballast to remain in the circuit.

Same with me, I think that is one of the "pluses" for changing to LED. It's also a good selling point to let customers know there is one less thing to have to replace.

 

[Traverse]

I am an LED specialist, and can say without a doubt the answer is yes, they are amazing. Many have the "magic driver" which allows for not needing to bypass the fluorescent ballast. There is a slight loss in the power factor however.

BUT, in LED you get what you pay for so cheap is never worth it. Make sure you look for high CRI, and be sure the color temperature fits your specific desire. In the case of a hospital you probably want 4000k to 5000k.

Best,