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(More customer reviews)The last time I updated a fixture to put LED tubes in, it took about an hour. The most challenging part was getting the ballast out of the old fixture, then the rewiring was relatively easy. So I thought - wow, what a great idea to actually include a new fixture with the tubes. So I took the old fixture down, no problem. Then I went to put up the new fixture I ordered with this product.
1. First off, the hole pattern for routing the wires into the fixture did not match between the reflector and the inner tube bracket. So I took off the two bolts holding it together and lined up the center holes. Then drilled new holes for the bolts to go back in.
2. Next, I realized there were no holes anywhere in the bracket/reflector to mount it to the ceiling. Two more holes drilled.
3. Then I tried to put the wires into the screw down terminal block on the bracket. The house wiring didn't fit into the terminal block - so I ended up cutting it out and just using wire nuts.
4. Now the worst part... the end caps that hold the tubes are totally flimsy and don't sit well into their tracks. So getting the tubes to sit in the end caps took 30 minutes of fiddling because the end caps kept moving. At one point, they popped out and I caught the tubes before they fell to the floor.
5. Since these are 5 foot tubes, they also bow down and aren't completely rigid like a fluorescent tube is, which compounds the problem.
Now the good news is - the LED tubes themselves are very bright, and start up lightning fast. I have another set of LED tubes in another fixture in the same room - and they start up slow. These really are quick, and look to be great.
So I would have given this combo a 5 star rating, as the bulbs are great - but the bundled fixture is junk, and I subtract two starts because I'm going to have to take it down and find another fixture which means at least another 30 minutes of work.
The challenge is going to be to find a new 5 foot fixture without a ballast. Or I will likely end up paying for a new fixture with ballast, and taking it out. So with this Amazon purchase, that will leave me with a fixture and a ballast I don't use.
Unfortunately I couldn't find any other LED tube lights in stock at Amazon the time I purchased this set.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Set of Two (2) 5 FOOT T8 LED Tube, Warm White, 18 Watt LED Flourescent replacement tubes
These five (5) foot, 18 watt, T8 tubes are a model of efficiency and LED technology. Designed to work with the included 5 foot fixture (with reflector), these LED tube lights provide an incredibly bright light source that operates at lower power consumption and with the ability to operate in extreme temperature environments (-40C to +55C). Connects directly to existing 110V wiring to deliver a bright "warm" white (3700K) light at a 120 degree beam angle downward to your work surface or floor. Save money and the environment. Includes TWO (2) Five Foot tubes. Input voltage 85 - 265v.(As you may know, LED Tubes must be directly wired to your 110VAC house current without the use of a ballast or starter.Be sure to work with or consult a qualified electrician during installation.)
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