T12 to LED question

[Klutch9]

At our office I'm converting all of our 4' flourescent T12 4-bulb fixtures to use only two 4' LED bulbs. Light output is slightly less, but because we have so many fixtures, light output is still more than sufficient. Since I'm only using 2 bulbs, there are naturally now 2 blank sockets in each fixture. Question is, which 2 should I leave blank, the inboard or the outboard sockets? Both work just fine, but will one setup throw light better than the other? I can't tell visually, but I figured I'd ask. I've only done 6 fixtures so far, but they look great! The insides of the fixtures are painted white, and not a mirror.

 

[The_Jeff]

Do you have grids under the bulbs? Are these your average suspended ceiling troffers? I wouldn't skip bulbs vs what the architect intended; people will hate you for being cheap.

Though I suppose they'll be glad you finally ditched the 1970s era T12s.

 

[mattwithcats]

I put a filter under the bulbs, breaks up the 60 hertz flicker, and distributes the light better...

Call "Cracked Ice", a clear 24 by 48 panel (can be trimmed)

http://www.lowes.com/pd_198521-1638-1430084A_1z11pvcZ2z8vjZ2z8vk__?productId=3307660&pl=1

 

[JTK]

If the light output/quality is OK just using two lamps in the 4-lamp fixture, keep it that way I guess. If it's not on your dime, fit'em all with 4 like intended.

Do these T12 to LED retrofits run right off the existing fixture electronics?

Pretty cool if so. I was in our local mom/pop pharmacy some moths back when they were yanking all their 4ft T8 tubes and replacing them with LED T8 look-alikes. I'm assuming those are powered right off the T8s electronic ballasts. I'd imagine the payback would be pretty fast given the 100s of T8s that were being pulled. Payback to the environment? Yeah, I dunno.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: JTK
If the light output/quality is OK just using two lamps in the 4-lamp fixture, keep it that way I guess. If it's not on your dime, fit'em all with 4 like intended.

Do these T12 to LED retrofits run right off the existing fixture electronics?

Pretty cool if so. I was in our local mom/pop pharmacy some moths back when they were yanking all their 4ft T8 tubes and replacing them with LED T8 look-alikes. I'm assuming those are powered right off the T8s electronic ballasts. I'd imagine the payback would be pretty fast given the 100s of T8s that were being pulled. Payback to the environment? Yeah, I dunno.


The light output is very close. They can run off the ballasts, but since the ballasts alone use energy, I've been yanking them out and running 120v straight to the sockets. The bulbs can work that way as well. I'm pretty impressed to far

 

[JTK]

Interesting! I had no idea the same LED lamps could be run direct wire or through the existing T12 fluorescent gear.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Interesting! I had no idea the same LED lamps could be run direct wire or through the existing T12 fluorescent gear.


If you do that you'll likely lose 20% of the energy because of the magnetic ballast, as well as hearing the 60Hz hum.

If I were to do it I'd just switch out the fixture and get all the benefit.