LED Fluorescent Replacement
LED FLUORESCENT REPLACEMENT
The 8-foot fluorescent, often an old T12 on a magnetic ballast, is still part of the landscape in many warehouses, garages, workshops, gyms and farm buildings. When those long tubes start flickering or the ballast starts humming, the question comes up: should you change the tube, the fixture or the entire system? LEDCO supports managers of commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings across Canada with 8-foot LED tubes, integrated fixtures of the same length, vapour-tight fixtures and high bays.
8-foot fluorescent: the fixture, the humidity and the ceiling decide
Three criteria settle the question: the condition of the fixture, the humidity of the room and the ceiling height. A sound, securely mounted fixture stays in place, and only the tube changes. A rusted fixture, or one installed in a car wash, is better replaced with a new one. And under a very high ceiling, it is often worth rethinking the entire system.
T8 LED Tube 8' 42W: when the 8-foot fixture is still sound
For an 8-foot fixture in good condition, the 42W 8' T8 LED tube lets you keep the existing fixture and replace only the tubes. It's the fastest solution when fixtures are numerous and securely mounted, above warehouse racking or in a service garage. Before buying, check the type of sockets and the wiring: depending on the tube and the installation, the ballast is kept or bypassed, and bypassing must be done by an electrician.
LED tubes last much longer than fluorescents. Trips up a lift or a ladder to change tubes become rare, a real advantage in high-ceiling spaces.
Multi-watt 8' LED wraparound: replace the whole fixture
When the fixture is rusted, its lens has yellowed or the ballast has already been replaced several times, it's better to install a new fixture. The 8' LED wraparound is multi-watt (65W, 75W or 90W), offers five colour temperatures, from warm white to daylight white, and runs on 120V to 347V. A single format covers very different rooms: moderate wattage and neutral white for a storage room, full wattage and cool white for a precision workshop.
Car wash, stable, mechanic's garage: 8' and 4' vapour-tight fixtures
In a car wash, a mechanic's garage, a wash area or a stable, humidity and dust quickly wear out old open fixtures. The 8' CCT LED vapour-tight fixture replaces those 8-foot fluorescents with a sealed housing, and the 4' 3CCT LED vapour-tight fixture does the same for 4-foot fixtures. For the most demanding environments, the 4' 60W multi-watt NEMA 4X vapour-tight fixture is also available. All are part of our integrated LED fixtures.
Above the workbenches: the 36W 46'' linear workshop fixture
In maintenance shops and small plants, a fluorescent fixture often hangs above each workbench or assembly station. The 36W 46-inch linear workshop fixture replaces it with an integrated LED unit that spreads light along the full length of the work surface, where measuring and inspecting take place. No more keeping spare tubes or replacing ballasts.
High-ceiling warehouse or gym: move to high bays
Under a very high ceiling, rows of hanging fluorescents lose a lot of light before it reaches the floor, and every tube change requires a lift. LED high bays, in UFO or linear format, direct more of the light downward, and a single unit can replace several fixtures. It's a bigger conversion than a tube change, but it makes sense when the existing fixtures are reaching the end of their life. The PIR Bluetooth sensor for LED high bays also dims the lighting in unoccupied aisles.
The inventory before ordering: what to note for each room
The same building often has 4-foot or 2-foot fluorescents in the offices and locker rooms: our range of T8 LED tubes includes 4-foot tubes and an 8W 2' T8 LED tube. For each room, note:
- The tube length: 8, 4 or 2 feet.
- The number of tubes: per fixture, and the number of fixtures.
- The ceiling height: it decides between tube, fixture and high bay.
- Humidity and dust: they point toward a vapour-tight fixture.
- The condition of the fixtures: rust, yellowed lenses, ballasts already replaced.
Technical tips for converting a large building
Check the sockets first. The socket type and the fixture's wiring decide which tube is possible.
Choose the wattage for the use. A multi-watt fixture is set lower for storage, higher for a workstation.
A sealed housing against humidity. Car wash, stable or wash area: open fixtures no longer belong there.
Count the trips up the lift. Under a high ceiling, every tube change avoided is one less trip up the lift.
With your inventory in hand, our team recommends the right LED tube or fixture, room by room, from the loading dock to the administration office. It also helps you plan the replacement without interrupting your operations.
8-Foot Fluorescent Replacement FAQ
Can an 8-foot fluorescent T12 be replaced with an LED tube?
Often, if the fixture is sound: the 42W 8' T8 LED tube keeps the existing fixture. First check the socket type and the fixture's wiring. If it is rusted or the ballast has already been changed several times, the 8' LED wraparound is the better choice.
Should I keep the ballast of an 8-foot fixture?
It depends on the tube and the installation: the ballast is either kept or bypassed. Bypassing changes the wiring and must be done by an electrician. With an integrated LED fixture, the question disappears: there is no ballast left to maintain.
Which fixture for a car wash or a stable?
A vapour-tight fixture with a sealed housing: the 8' CCT for 8-foot fixtures, the 4' 3CCT for 4-foot ones. In the harshest settings, the 4' 60W multi-watt model, rated NEMA 4X, rounds out the range.
When is it better to switch to high bays?
When the ceiling is very high and the fluorescent fixtures are reaching the end of their life. An LED high bay, UFO or linear, sends more light to the floor and replaces several fixtures, which also cuts down on trips up the lift.
Which colour temperature for a warehouse or a workshop?
A neutral white suits a storage room, a cool white suits a workshop where precision work is done. The 8' LED wraparound offers five colour temperatures, from warm white to daylight white, so the same fixture can be used throughout.
