Converting our fluorescent overhead lights to LED using LED light strips.

Well, we finally ran out oft-8 fluorescent bulbs for our overhead lights. That meant it was time to finally convert all of our fluorescent bulb overhead lights to LED. Instead of buying new lights or buying expensive replacement LED bulbs I chose the more frugal way and used LED strip lights.

I  purchased some LED strip lights from TEMU, specifically the Bright Cold White LED Strip Light, SMD2835 12V strips.  These have 120 LEDs per meter. I also bought a Light Strip DIY Connector Set (8mm) so I wouldn’t have to do any soldering.  These connectors were for 2 Pin 8mm 3528/2835 LED Strip Light.

The strip lights cost 3.89 per roll; I bought two rolls. The connector set was 4.89. My total investment so far is less than 15 dollars. I found that one roll and one pack of connectors will do 5 overhead lights where I used two strips (18 inches) for each light. So if you buy the LED strip and a connector kit from TEMU your cost per light conversion will be about $1.75 per light!

This light has white LED's that are equivalent to "daylight" fluorescent tubes, ( ~6500K temp). If you like “warm white" which is more like an incandescent-like (about 4000K). We like brighter lights.

So how did I do this? Here you go…

1. Remove the light cover and then you can see and remove the four screws which hold the light fixture in place. Make sure to take out the bulbs before removing the screws.

2. After removing the four screws the light can be taken off of the ceiling by cutting the 12V wires that are attached to the light fixture. Disconnect the battery if you are concerned or just turn off the lights you are removing.

3.  Remove the ballast cover by drilling out the rivets (from the back side of the light fixture). Now you only need the two wires coming from the switch and save the longest white wire by cutting off of the ballast. This will allow you to keep the light rocker switch intact.

4. I chose to remove the ballast and the white ends which hold the bulbs in the fixture. These have 2 small phillips crews on each end. Once these are removed you can take out the light bulb holders and toss them.

5.Now cut the LED strips to desired length and put one of the strip connectors on the LED strip - MAKE SURE TO OBSERVE POLARITY (there is a (-) printed on the LED strip). It’s a good idea to test each strip with12V to make sure they work.

6. I mounted 2 LED strips in each light and this gave as more light than the 2 original bulbs. Each strip has an adhesive so peel off the tape and stick them to the cleaned surface of the light fixture (you did clean it first,didn’t you). I also used a small piece of double sided tape to hold the connecter where the wired end meets the light strip for a firmer hold.

7. Then I wired the strips all together (positives together, and grounds together).

While I only did five lights I still have three more to do but that will be another day.