T5 tube to LED tube

Topic and Wanderer

Guest
I am going to replace my T5 florescent tubes for LED tubes. Each light currently has 2 tubes linked together.

Has anyone else carried out this conversion and if so what is the best way to wire them together.

Many thanks

Topic & Wanderer
 
Topic and Wanderer said:
I am going to replace my T5 florescent tubes for LED tubes. Each light currently has 2 tubes linked together.

Has anyone else carried out this conversion and if so what is the best way to wire them together.

Many thanks

Topic & Wanderer
Click to expand...

Hi
I looked at doing this but decided the energy saving was not enough. T5 led tubes just need a connection at one end and bypass the starter and other wiring if fitted.

Also here is a fitting guide again it says to remove the starter and ballast if fitted
http://www.netledlighting.co.uk/NET_LED_Catalogue.pdf
 
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biggirafe said:
Wow just checked the best prices £16 per tube so 2 in parralel £32 per fitting :eek::eek::eek:
Click to expand...

Try CAK Tanks - motorhome - caravan & boat accessories - horsebox & marine accessories - parts - uk - camper parts - caravan parts - motorhome parts - discount accessories (they have a great range of LED lights), they charge £10.17 + vat, still expensive I know, but we spend more time off the mains than on, so need to save all the battery power we can. Also the light from the LED is far better and you don't seem to need as many lights on.

Many thanks for the comments.
 
biggirafe said:
Hi
I looked at doing this but decided the energy saving was not enough. T5 led tubes just need a connection at one end and bypass the starter and other wiring if fitted.

Also here is a fitting guide again it says to remove the starter and ballast if fitted
http://www.netledlighting.co.uk/NET_LED_Catalogue.pdf
Click to expand...

Many thanks, this has confirmed what I thought I needed to do, that is wire in parallel. Just need to contact Autosleeper now, to see if they will supply me the small pins that push on the end of the tube as Maplin don't stock them.
 
Topic and Wanderer said:
Try CAK Tanks - motorhome - caravan & boat accessories - horsebox & marine accessories - parts - uk - camper parts - caravan parts - motorhome parts - discount accessories (they have a great range of LED lights), they charge £10.17 + vat, still expensive I know, but we spend more time off the mains than on, so need to save all the battery power we can. Also the light from the LED is far better and you don't seem to need as many lights on.

Many thanks for the comments.
Click to expand...

No worries, We have used LED's to replace all the filiment type bulbs in our van, It makes a big difference. If we wilded for more than a couple of days in one place I would consider doing the tubes. I agree the light is 'fresher' than the orange glow from buls and old tubes.

let me know how it goes, I'd be interested to see it :)
 
biggirafe said:
No worries, We have used LED's to replace all the filiment type bulbs in our van, It makes a big difference. If we wilded for more than a couple of days in one place I would consider doing the tubes. I agree the light is 'fresher' than the orange glow from buls and old tubes.

let me know how it goes, I'd be interested to see it :)
Click to expand...

Will do, I have e-mailed Autosleeper to see if I can get the connector pins, so when I have these I can carry on. I will let you know how it goes.
 
biggirafe said:
No worries, We have used LED's to replace all the filiment type bulbs in our van, It makes a big difference. If we wilded for more than a couple of days in one place I would consider doing the tubes. I agree the light is 'fresher' than the orange glow from buls and old tubes.

let me know how it goes, I'd be interested to see it :)
Click to expand...

Managed to change the double tubes in my Lumo lighting using the existing connectors.

Once electronics removed, the two tube connectors nearest the switch were joined together (-ve disconnected to do this) and connected to the wire from the switch (+ve) this now provides the +ve supply. The opposite end of the tubes had a wire linking them together, I cut back the insulation in the centre exposing the wire (take care not to cut the wire), I then ran a new wire from the -ve wire in the roof (disconected earlier) and soldered it to the exposed wire. A bit of shrink sleeve covered the exposed wire, and the new wire was run along a groove around the outer rear edge of the light to keep it hidden. This was connected to the -ve supply and after the light was screwed to the roof, power on and nice low powered bright LED's.

Now going to do the same with the remaining lights.

Hope this helps:)
 
Topic and Wanderer said:
Managed to change the double tubes in my Lumo lighting using the existing connectors.

Once electronics removed, the two tube connectors nearest the switch were joined together (-ve disconnected to do this) and connected to the wire from the switch (+ve) this now provides the +ve supply. The opposite end of the tubes had a wire linking them together, I cut back the insulation in the centre exposing the wire (take care not to cut the wire), I then ran a new wire from the -ve wire in the roof (disconected earlier) and soldered it to the exposed wire. A bit of shrink sleeve covered the exposed wire, and the new wire was run along a groove around the outer rear edge of the light to keep it hidden. This was connected to the -ve supply and after the light was screwed to the roof, power on and nice low powered bright LED's.

Now going to do the same with the remaining lights.

Hope this helps:)
Click to expand...

Thanks Mate
Others may be confused by this but sadly I understand exactly what you mean. Still not sure its a cost effective thing but what the hey sometimes we do things just because we can :D
 
biggirafe said:
Wow just checked the best prices £16 per tube so 2 in parralel £32 per fitting :eek::eek::eek:
Click to expand...

I agree about the cost to benefit ratio.

I replaced the 10w filament bulbs inside the van with LED replacements. Four in the bathroom light fitting and one in bedroom spot/reading light. Joan was not initialy impressed by the light output of the LED bulb in the reading light but has now got used to it.

I had one double tube fitting that had failed and I couldn't get an equivelant replacement. I gutted it completely I then removed the ends from the LED tube fitting. By doing this I was able to fit them into the old fitting. Used a chocolate block to terminate the wires from the LED units and connect them to the ve+ and ve- wires that went to the old unit. Cost £32 per fitting. Light output about the same but whiter.

Decided that the power saving benefit versus the cost, prevented me changing the other units the power saving between the LEDs and Flourescent tubes is not enough to justify the money.
 
John Thompson said:
I agree about the cost to benefit ratio.

I replaced the 10w filament bulbs inside the van with LED replacements. Four in the bathroom light fitting and one in bedroom spot/reading light. Joan was not initialy impressed by the light output of the LED bulb in the reading light but has now got used to it.

I had one double tube fitting that had failed and I couldn't get an equivelant replacement. I gutted it completely I then removed the ends from the LED tube fitting. By doing this I was able to fit them into the old fitting. Used a chocolate block to terminate the wires from the LED units and connect them to the ve+ and ve- wires that went to the old unit. Cost £32 per fitting. Light output about the same but whiter.

Decided that the power saving benefit versus the cost, prevented me changing the other units the power saving between the LEDs and Flourescent tubes is not enough to justify the money.
Click to expand...

Your right but sometimes its just fun to have a go and that in its self is worth a few quid, after all it beats watching eastenders :)
 
Just replaced all of my 10w halogen filaments with LEDs. The halogens drew 0.83a each, the LEDs 0.1a each for equivelant brightness. We used to use the 2 fluorescent tubes in the roof (1.7a)for economy but can now have every light in the van on for less energy. Not to mention doing a fair impression of Blackpool. (ATEN lighting - good service and price)
 
biggirafe said:
Your right but sometimes its just fun to have a go and that in its self is worth a few quid, after all it beats watching eastenders :)
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The LED's I have fitted are the newer super bright type, so the difference is very noticable.:)
 
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