48" T8 Led Tubes

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #1

Was planning on buying a normal ballast for a 2 lamp fixture I want to build to use for future UVB and also LED tube replacements with bipin ends. Direct replacements. I'm using them currently on a separate fixture.
But I was curious if I actually never used it for the UVB because that obviously needs the correct type of ballast for starting up fluorescent gas tubes, but ONLY ran the LEDs in it, would I just want to use the same ballast for them as well or could I buy some cheap 60watt driver to wire to the bipin connectors?
Any ideas?

 

Schwagg#12

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #2

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/192828/PLT-10852.html

 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #3

That's a bulb.... thanks...?

Not the answer to my question though.

 

OneHitDone

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #4

Those are "Direct Wire", NO ballast needed (it's built in)
If you try any of these T8 tubes be sure to post your results

 

1

1212ham

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #5

Schwagg#12 said:

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/192828/PLT-10852.html

Click to expand...

Those are 140 lumen/watt, best "replacement" efficacy I've seen at a reasonable price, $8.10.

These are 130lm/w, but only $4.75! By the case... https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/209902/TCP-10194.html

 

Schwagg#12

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #6

My thought was that all the t8 led replacements required the ballast bypass

 

TEKNIK

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #7

Not all of the led T8s require you to bypass the ballasts. There are many different types and some are dirt cheap. I think the led T8s are shit and if you are going to run a fluro you should run a T5 as they have a better spectrum and often higher performance especially for Veg. Led strips are a better replacement for a tube as the efficiency is much higher than a T8 led, they will also last longer.

 

1

1212ham

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #8

Schwagg#12 said:

My thought was that all the t8 led replacements required the ballast bypass

Click to expand...

Three types available, those that bypass the ballast, those that work with the ballast, and some that work with or without the ballast

 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #9

The Phillips LED ones is what I'm familiar with and it works with my fixtures ballast.
1000 bulbs is definitely the place to get a fixture way cheaper than Amazon or eBay.

 

nevergoodenuf

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #10

If you are looking for higher output per light, look at the HO T-5s leds.

 

1

1212ham

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #11

TEKNIK said:

I think the led T8s are shit and if you are going to run a fluro you should run a T5 as they have a better spectrum and often higher performance especially for Veg.

Click to expand...

Is the spectrum of T8 LED different from cobs and boards?

 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #12

Spectrums are different amongst every type of light man.

 

TEKNIK

Well-Known Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #13

1212ham said:

Is the spectrum of T8 LED different from cobs and boards?

Click to expand...

I was suggesting to run a T5 fluro not LED's if you have to use a fluro. Performance of a real T5 is better than an led retrofit tube, spectrum is better too most of the time. Led retrofit tube are rubbish

 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member

• Apr 7, 2019

• #14

TEKNIK said:

I was suggesting to run a T5 fluro not LED's if you have to use a fluro. Performance of a real T5 is better than an led retrofit tube, spectrum is better too most of the time. Led retrofit tube are rubbish

Click to expand...

Philips brand led replacements, are not rubbish. And I really don't know why you're even talking about t5. I'm talking about t8. There's more variety for UV in t8 and as far as using LEDs bulbs, it doesn't matter if it's t4,5,8,10, or 12.