[RE-wrenches] Fix the Fluorescents: What about LED tubes for late 2012?

Mick Abraham mick at abrahamsolar.com
Wed Dec 5 13:53:42 PST 2012


Hi, Knuckle-Busters~

It's lighting retrofit time and also time for me to review "what I thought
I knew" about various lighting technologies.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Round one of the conversion involves >>well known RV brand<< T8 tubular
fluorescent fixtures (3' long single tube). These have 24vDC ballasts which
(in various brands) have failed way too often...and the tubes also are
failing too soon.

I've mostly decided to convert the circuits to good ol' American AC instead
of DC, then I gotta select ballasts (to stay fluor) or convert to LED. Some
of the List members handle lighting retrofits for better energy efficiency,
etc. so I need a refresher course.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

For AC ballasts, I'm focusing on the "Programmed Start" type which seem
less destructive to the tubes when cycled on and off frequently. I could
drive three tubes with one ballast but then a single bulb failure sends the
whole group to black since the tubes connect in series.

Is there a way to test a fluorescent tube using a volt-ohmmeter or other
non-exotic method? The cost benefit of sharing a ballast among three
fixtures goes smaller if it's a hassle at lamp replacement time. A failed
ballast would be tricky to spot with three lamps adding more variables.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

I see there are now T8 tubular LED lamps which of course deliver more
lumens per watt and of course they are still costly. With no ballast to
buy, if I compared devoting a $25 ballast to each fixture against
converting to a $50 LED tube, "it's only double the cost" to go LED.

Is LED now ready for prime time? I got on that band wagon too early because
the "white light" units were moonlight blue, they seemed dimmer than a
flashlight, color rendition was poor, and worst of all:

My early LED purchases stopped working properly >>as should not be the case
if LED is done right.<< Admittedly, my early LED buys were--don't get me
started--designed for DC and I think the battery voltage fluctuation may
play havoc with LED and also with the DC fluorescent ballasts.

Final question: how could I be sure that new LED lights won't "roach out"
in a few years? My untrained eye has never helped me avoid crummy tech
before, so I guess it comes down to identifying one (or more) major
manufacturer, maybe with a long warranty and a good likelihood of staying
in business.

My friends and I must stop buying junk that's going to break--even if it is
all hyped up about being the "New Latest Environmentally Correct Energy
Saver". Those >>well known RV brand<< fluorescents are a case in point to
say nothing of round two: DC driven CFL's!

Thanks & Jolliness,

Mick Abraham, Proprietor
www.abrahamsolar.com

Voice: 970-731-4675
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