I've done some searches on here and can't really find a clear answer. I see a lot of places switching over from t8 tubes to led tubes. Using the same ballast, how are you gaining anything? Isn't it the ballast that is consuming the power, not the tubes? Wouldn't you need to install a led ballast to see any reduction in power consumption or am I missing something here?
T8-led replacement
- Thread starter fireryan
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JFletcher
Senior Member
- Location
- Williamsburg, VA
a 4' bulb uses 28-32W. One 4' LED replacement bulb I looked up uses 19W. 13W/per isnt much until you get into say a hotel (or grocery store) that has 500 or 1000 of them that run 24/7. 13KW @10c/KW/hr is $1.30/hr, or $31.20/day, or about 10k/year.
JFletcher
Senior Member
- Location
- Williamsburg, VA
tmk (and I may well be incorrect) the ballast consumes the same power on fluorescent as it does LED; possibly less. Ive seen the PF and efficiency ratings of ballasts with the intended (fluorescent) bulbs. 2,3, or 4 LED bulbs/fixture will take less power than an equivalent # of fluorescent bulbs w/the original ballast.
The next time I change one out, I will check the amperage draw and post the results here.
The next time I change one out, I will check the amperage draw and post the results here.
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
The tube style LED's that I saw didn't have a ballast. They had 120 volts going right to the tube.
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
This, from an ad for T8 replacements (I added the bold):
[h=1]Hitlights LED T8 Tube / 18 Watt / 40 watt CFL tube replacement / 1600 lumen / Cool White / 6000k / 4-Foot / 50,000 hr / 1 yr warranty [/h]
- 50,000 Lifetime Hours
- 6000k Cool white
- Directly wired to AC current without the use of a ballast or starter.
- Please remove Ballast and Starter before using it.
- 85-260V AC
- UL-Listed
[h=1]Hitlights LED T8 Tube / 18 Watt / 40 watt CFL tube replacement / 1600 lumen / Cool White / 6000k / 4-Foot / 50,000 hr / 1 yr warranty [/h]
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
All well and good, but I believe the most recent question was whether there would be a problem using a T-8 designed for use with existing ballast in place when the existing ballast was unit emergency equipment
One possible concern would be if the output when on battery was pulsed DC instead of 60Hz AC.
One possible concern would be if the output when on battery was pulsed DC instead of 60Hz AC.
gsstaley@sbcglobal.net
Member
- Location
- Houston
Wouldn't the fixture need to be listed for use with the LED lamps and driver?
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