Fitting LED replacement for fluorescent tube

[JumbleDuck]

I've just received from boatlamps.co.uk an LED replacement for the 10" fluorescent tube in my galley. Excellent service from them as ever, but they forgot to send me the fitting instructions referred to in

Retro fitting LED tubes to existing fittings enable the disconnection of the energy wasting and often noisy ballast contained in existing fluorescent fixtures. A simple wiring modification to existing fittings is required. This DIY operation is easily undertaken by most boat owners. Full instructions are issued with the lamp. ​

Can anyone who has done this job let me know what it involves? I'm rung Adrian @ Boatlamps and left a message, but as I am about to head off into the wild west it would be nice to get it done before I leave and while I am still next to a car full of tools ...

 

[nigelmercier]

I would imagine you connect the power directly to the end terminals.

Out of interest, how many LEDs does it have?

 

[NormanS]

I've done it a couple of times, using the instructions. Basically, you just discard all the ballast gubbins, and connect a +ve and -ve. You'll get a much brighter light.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I would imagine you connect the power directly to the end terminals.[/quote}

Yes, I am hoping it's a matter of minor snappage.

Out of interest, how many LEDs does it have?

Sixty six surface mounted ones, according to the invoice. I confess that I have not counted them ...

 

[JumbleDuck]

All moot anyway, as I am returning the lamp. It's an insert-and-twist design with the pins mounted across the plane of the LEDS, so in my Labcraft fitting I could either have them shining in my face or into the cupboard behind the galley, but not onto the work surface. Curses. It looks really nice, too, but I just can't use it.

 

[NormanS]

Mine were from Bedazzled. No complaints except that they seemed expensive, but I've no idea what boatlamps charges.

 

[CFarr]

Sixty six surface mounted ones, according to the invoice. I confess that I have not counted them ...

I got one of those from them last year. Talk about bright! It's like Looking at the ruddy sun.
I've put a small battery push on/off LED on the bulkhead to use at night so I don't blind myself and the crew.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I simply replaced all internal electronics with stich on strips of led's of whatever colour I wish some times with combination of colours each colour with a separate switch

 

[mick butterworth]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IXEY3YO?refRID=5GZ49T9JVTCNTGWD0XC0&ref_=pd_bia_yo_t_1 i am fitting these led,s into a fluorescent light you can get white or red, wired up to a 3 way switch off/red/white because they are fog lights they are really bright mick

 

[LadyInBed]

Just use stick on strips or the one mick points to.
When fitting, rip out all the tube gubbins except switch and wire in the strips.
I've replaced all four of my tube lights, I put two strips in each light, they work well.

 

[Tim Good]

Likely jumble has sorted this but this might help:

Step 1: Disconnect power to fixture
Step 2: Remove original bulb
Step 3: Remove cover to locate wiring and ballast
Step 4: Confirm switch is located separately from ballast
Step 5: Cut the six (6) wires as close to the ballast as possible
Step 6: Connect Ground wire to either Wire 1 or 2 as shown
Step 7: Connect Switch wire to either Wire 3 or 4 as shown
NOTE: It makes no difference if you choose to connect the Ground wire to Wire 3 or 4 instead, if they are more convenient. If you do so, just be sure to connect the Switch wire to either 1 or 2.
Step 8: You may remove the two (2) unused wires going to the end sockets (the are no longer used)
Step 9: You may remove ballast if you prefer Step 10: Insert LED tube (there is no polarity) Step 11: Test lamp with power and re-assemble

 

[Tim Good]

Mine were from Bedazzled. No complaints except that they seemed expensive, but I've no idea what boatlamps charges.

I bought 1 from boatlamps (£30 inc vat rated at 5w)) and 1 from Bedazzled (£30inc VAT rated at 6w) and 1 from eBay (£12inc VAT rated at unknown)

They are all much of a muchness in terms of brightness and not as bright as a single fluorescent tube contrary to what Bedazzled says which is that 1 tube is as bright as 3 normal 8w tubes.

I'd be tempted to replace all with the Ebay cheap ones but they only come in cool white so at the moment I see no alternative than sticking with the fluorescent tubes.

I'd been keen to hear from you Norman as to your comparison of the Bedazzled ones compared to old fluorescent?

 

[nigelmercier]

I did plan to make an adaptor with a few LED festoon lamps mounted on a PCB, but I can't find any with a built-in regulator.

 

[LadyInBed]

<I'd be tempted to replace all with the Ebay cheap ones but they only come in cool white so at the moment I see no alternative than sticking with the fluorescent tubes.>
I seem to remember that my strips were cool white, but the defuser/cover on the tube unit is a chalky white/cream so the cool white is modified and isn't in your face.

 

[NormanS]

I bought 1 from boatlamps (£30 inc vat rated at 5w)) and 1 from Bedazzled (£30inc VAT rated at 6w) and 1 from eBay (£12inc VAT rated at unknown)

They are all much of a muchness in terms of brightness and not as bright as a single fluorescent tube contrary to what Bedazzled says which is that 1 tube is as bright as 3 normal 8w tubes.

I'd be tempted to replace all with the Ebay cheap ones but they only come in cool white so at the moment I see no alternative than sticking with the fluorescent tubes.

I'd been keen to hear from you Norman as to your comparison of the Bedazzled ones compared to old fluorescent?

One of the fittings that I replaced had two 8w tubes in it. I changed it to one LED conversion from Bedazzled. It is much brighter with the one LED tube than it was with the two Fluorescents. I would agree with Bedazzled's claim about brightness.

 

[Tim Good]

One of the fittings that I replaced had two 8w tubes in it. I changed it to one LED conversion from Bedazzled. It is much brighter with the one LED tube than it was with the two Fluorescents. I would agree with Bedazzled's claim about brightness.

Hmm I must be doing something wrong. I assume you did the mod above to remove the Fluorescent light ballast?

 

[NormanS]

Hmm I must be doing something wrong. I assume you did the mod above to remove the Fluorescent light ballast?

Yes. I did the mod that you show above. The saloon had two main light fittings, - each with two 8w tubes. I converted one, and seldom use the other, but it does mean that I have an actual comparison of the brightness of two x 8w, and one x LED.

I also converted one in the galley, which is hidden under a shelf above the sink, and it is also far brighter than before.

 

[Billjratt]

I fitted a couple of halogen replacements in the galley - standard stuff and they save lots of current.
For the longer lamps I recon these car "see me"s are good - http://www.bluemoment.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9135
Working illumination rather than relaxing, but cheap as chips to buy and run.

 

[Tim Good]

Ok an update. I made some adjustments to the wiring and as you say, the new Bedazzled and Boatlamps LED tubes are brighter and better than 2 or 3 of the standard 8w tubes. However, for less than half the price these are just as bright:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400509439...48&var=670107329677&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I do like the Boatlamps stuff but in this case, £30 a go is just not possible when you have to replace 10 lights. I have also just seen this one which would be worth trying:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271911934756?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[fredrussell]

I wish someone did an LED replacement tube that was a lot less bright and as a result used a fraction of the wattage. One of the ones linked to above is 480 lumens. I have a 90 lumen torch that is amazingly bright - I'm not sure i feel the need for something nearly five times as bright in my cabin.