How To Install LED Lights – LaundromatHowTo

How To Install LED Lights

The lights in the overhead sign were out so it was time to get some repairs done. As it was the Fall and the time change was complete the lights in the sign come on before most people head home from work.

I decided to install LED light tubes in place of the T-8 fluorescent. It is a pretty easy conversion and the label says the tubes will last 45 years.
Maybe I should renew my Lease?

The first step is to check and make sure you have power to the sign and that your photosensor is working OK.

Next shut the power off so you can work safely. I disconnected the wire nut in the sign and isolated the power feed.. this allowed me to test the new lights by bypassing the photosensor.

The old ballasts are removed and not used with the new LED lights. Cut the wires near the ballast as you will use them to rewire the fixture.

Non-Shunted tombstones must be used with the LED lights. If you are not sure if you are non-shunted ( and they probably are not) it’s not a bad idea to change them as they tend to get brittle over time and may even have some burn marks. And the bulb says you won’t be back for 45 years so why not put in a few new parts now. The tombstones cast less than $4 each.

Only one end of the tube is wired so I only changed that end. The others were in good shape.

Wire the tombstones with a power and neutral wire in parallel. The wire just pushes into the base so the only tools you need are wire strippers and cutters.

After you install a set test them to make sure they work and everything looks good.

The finished product. I had to cover the photosensor to get the lights to turn on. The photosensor must be covered for a minute or two before it comes on. This is to prevent the light from flickering on and off.

The sign originally had 8′ tubes installed. when I converted it to four-foot tubes about 4 years ago the old fixtures were corroded into the sign so I worked around them.
This is part of the reason the lights can be seen at the top and bottom of the display. The other reason is that this sign is about 40 years old so some of the paint/ coatings is faded.

I have considered a new insert to the sign but I like the old look to this one.

In the next year or two, I will be upgrading the sign with the company logo and replacing the lower sign with more of the services and benefits.

City bylaws prevent the installation of signs above the roof line but this was grandfathered in as it was existing. I was able to add the lower sign when I took over the store as it fits inside the 10% coverage rule and the overhead sign is not included.