Replacement T9 fluorescent tube not working - ballast replacement or go for LED?

ThisIsWeird

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

We are hoping to swap over 30 Florrie light fittings in a local hall for LED units, and many of these florries are not at all old, in perfect working order, and have EBs in them. I expect we'll be selling them off at £5 each? I'd lay odds that DRP's Marketplace will have similar.

That might answer your own question - why is the hall committee replacing the fittings rather than simply installing LED replacement tubes?

Good point, but the reason why we are replacing perfectly good units is because the manufacturer told me they won't take LED tubes (I asked and that's what they said, but I partly suspect they were trying to flog me their new complete LED fittings which they directed me to) but also because we were given complete LED fittings for now't.

(But you've prompted me to confirm/test/trial whether 3rd-party LED tubes will work, as the fittings are far more attractive than the basic-looking LED ones, and it would also save a lot of hassle.) 

Section62

ThisIsWeird said:

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

We are hoping to swap over 30 Florrie light fittings in a local hall for LED units, and many of these florries are not at all old, in perfect working order, and have EBs in them. I expect we'll be selling them off at £5 each? I'd lay odds that DRP's Marketplace will have similar.

That might answer your own question - why is the hall committee replacing the fittings rather than simply installing LED replacement tubes?

Good point, but the reason why we are replacing perfectly good units is because the manufacturer told me they won't take LED tubes (I asked and that's what they said, but I partly suspect they were trying to flog me their new complete LED fittings which they directed me to)...

Are they HF units?  Being quasi-commercial that might be more likely perhaps than in a domestic setting.

ThisIsWeird

Section62 said:

Are they HF units?  Being quasi-commercial that might be more likely perhaps than in a domestic setting.

I think they may be - that rings a bell.

What does that mean - are 3rd-party LED tubes available?

Cheers.

Section62

ThisIsWeird said:

Section62 said:

Are they HF units?  Being quasi-commercial that might be more likely perhaps than in a domestic setting.

I think they may be - that rings a bell.

What does that mean - are 3rd-party LED tubes available?

Cheers.

The luminaire has additional circuitry so it drives the tube at a higher frequency (HF) - say 30kHz - rather than at mains frequency. This makes the tube (and control circuit) more efficient.  If you've got a building full of fluorescent lights switched on most of the time then the energy saving vs additional unit cost makes it worthwhile.  You'd also expect the lighting system to be 'managed', so the correct replacements would be used. I've used them as a default in workshops and the like, as the high frequency also helps avoid stroboscopic problems.

To use a standard LED replacement tube would involve getting rid of the HF components.  It isn't surprising a manufacturer isn't going to recommend that as there is a lot that could go wrong.

A quick google suggests HF LED replacement tubes are (now) available, although cost-wise I'm not sure if it would be economically worthwhile compared to buying a LED luminaire instead.  There's also a question of how long the replacements will be available for - they will only be manufactured and retailed for as long as there is sufficient demand, so the crunch may come when the replacement is life expired.