Replacing florescent tube with LED one

judexx

I need to replace an old fluorescent tube with a new LED one. The old one is marked T8 1200mm 38W and uses a starter. The new one is T8 1212mm (I suspect this includes the pins ?) 16W. It says on the packaging ‘Only use with magnetic ballast in combination with provided LED starter’ but I don’t know what this means.

Can I just replace both the tube and starter or do I need an electrician to change the (very old) fitting.

TIA

plumb1_2

It would be easier just to swop the whole fitting, it’s a easy diy job. If your swooping like for like size wise. Get the new one the same length otherwise you’ll end up having to paint the ceiling 
Turn your consumer unit off before starting to remove the old one , remove the cover then 3 wires live,neutral and earth. 

But if your not comfortable with doing it ger a qualified electrician 

Rodders53

As the fitting has a starter the ballast is a simple magnetic inductor. 

So yes:

Switch off.
Remove existing starter, discard. 
Swap the tube (take old one to recycling centre for safe disposal).
Fit the new 'starter replacement' (actually a fuse).
Switch on and enjoy the dimness.
   

grumpy_codger

judexx said:

I need to replace an old fluorescent tube with a new LED one. The old one is marked T8 1200mm 38W and uses a starter. The new one is T8 1212mm (I suspect this includes the pins ?) 16W. It says on the packaging ‘Only use with magnetic ballast in combination with provided LED starter’ but I don’t know what this means.

Can I just replace both the tube and starter or do I need an electrician to change the (very old) fitting.

Yes, that's what you have to do.
Magnetic ballast is a big transformer-like device inside the light fitting. 

judexx

plumb1_2 said:

It would be easier just to swop the whole fitting, it’s a easy diy job. If your swooping like for like size wise. Get the new one the same length otherwise you’ll end up having to paint the ceiling 
Turn your consumer unit off before starting to remove the old one , remove the cover then 3 wires live,neutral and earth. 

But if your not comfortable with doing it ger a qualified electrician 

Thanks - it's not a job I could do myself and trying to avoid the cost of an electrician unless essential

judexx

Rodders53 said:

As the fitting has a starter the ballast is a simple magnetic inductor. 

So yes:

Switch off.
Remove existing starter, discard. 
Swap the tube (take old one to recycling centre for safe disposal).
Fit the new 'starter replacement' (actually a fuse).
Switch on and enjoy the dimness.
   

Thanks @grumpy_codger and @Rodders53 - you've given me the confidence to go ahead, though a touch worried about the '..enjoy the dimness'  . Still has to be better than the current flickering with risk of migraine !

dnpark38

Last week my local handyman replaced by old tube with a led one it needed also a different type of starter.
He told me he had supplied the Brightest available and so mine not dim.
He took the old away for correct disposal.

pseudodox

I recently changed my old tube lights from fluorescent to LED.  Now I know it was not my eyes that were deteriorating!  Lovely bright lights from the moment I switch on.

BTW some old fittings don't work with the replacement LED "starter".  I had to have one fitting rewired by my electrician.  Would not have cost much more for a complete new fitting with fit & forget LED but I had already bought a tube.

judexx

pseudodox said:

I recently changed my old tube lights from fluorescent to LED.  Now I know it was not my eyes that were deteriorating!  Lovely bright lights from the moment I switch on.

BTW some old fittings don't work with the replacement LED "starter".  I had to have one fitting rewired by my electrician.  Would not have cost much more for a complete new fitting with fit & forget LED but I had already bought a tube.

Thanks - I guess it's a matter of trying and if no joy only then calling in the electrician