viable replacement options for 8' fluorescents

somersetsparks · Jan 24, 2015

Hi all,
Been asked to quote for replacing 150 8' fluorescents on light line trunking, the fittings are on for 18 hours a day and access to many is difficult, many of the fittings are original 1967 cromptons still going strong! have been looking at replacement options, just wanted opinions of the forum.
So far the options are...
Thorn twin 6' t8 high frequency fittings circa £26
Crompack LED fittings (5' equivalent)circa £106 each
T5 flurries (haven't priced yet)

So far, I can't see much advantage in the LED fittings, they output lower amounts of lumens per fitting and still only manage 96lm/w. Compared to a 70w t8 at 89lm/w.
Another consideration is the distance between the lines of lighting trunking, flurries give a good spread whereas Led's tend to be a bit more localised.
Also lifespan is an issue as I don't want to be on repeated call backs for faulty fittings and I'm not 100% convinced by LED lifespans yet.
Final point is price, convincing someone to buy fittings at more then four times the cost may be an issue!
Any input much appreciated

Guest125 · Jan 24, 2015

I would personally price for two options. 1 with LED and the other with T8s. Also do a yearly cost saving comparison if LEDs were fitted over T8s. With the number of lights and the 18 hour day running they may well pay for themselves after 10 years. As you said some of the fittings are not the easiest to get so factor in low maintenance costs using LED over T8.

Also why not look at high/low bay fittings if you have the height?

tazz · Jan 24, 2015

The problem with replacement led fitting is the colour rendering index, or cri, most 18w led tubes we replace, under all factors give the equivalent of 70w fluorescent output in normal white at 5500k. At £60 they will certainly cut the electric bill down by more than half

Octopus · Jan 24, 2015

As there are so many to replace, could you get the client to agree to changing a small number first, to ensure you don't have a nightmare when you've changed them all?

tazz · Jan 24, 2015

Good idea, plus you can evaluate their output before buy 150

Leesparkykent · Jan 24, 2015

If there is a certain amount of light being let in to the building you could also go for day light harvesting fittings (thorn make an impact resistant fitting with this capability). You can also get the same fitting with a different sensor that has day light harvesting capabilities and is also a PIR. You can calculate pay back periods for this, it's going to be a bit more of an outlay initially but will end up paying for its self.

you could also get them out to site to make calculations for lux levels etc.

Guest125 · Jan 24, 2015

I would also stay away from LED tubes. Get proper LED fittings. With regard to lighting levels, any manufacturer will plot this on a drawing for you. Especially if you may order 150. Thorn have a great programme for this on their website.

rapparee · Jan 24, 2015

Opti-Lux 2 PL-L Low Energy Low Bay Opti-Lux 2 PL-L Accessory

I put these up they cost me about £115 a piece but you wouldn't have to put up that many. They are 6x55w pl flourescent lowbay.

somersetsparks · Jan 24, 2015

Cheers for replies, the LED tubes seem a viable option, I still like the T8 hf thorns though, I fitted 60 in the same place 7 years ago, 50% are still on the same tubes so way more then a 20000 hour life span and only had 1 ballast fail that I'm aware of, high bays and low bays are out of the question even though there is enough height, the customer was happy with the 8' flurries but tube availability has prompted replacement

Guest125 · Jan 24, 2015

We pay about £105 for the Newlec 5ft IP65 LED fitting.

tazz · Jan 24, 2015

We have replaced nursing homes with led lighting, with great success. More light, more than 50% lower bills. Emergency and normal fitting all combine in neater corridors, with maintenance guy no running around replacing tubes every day. This photo is a 2 year old installation still going strong, with pir switching and every 3rd fitting being EM, more light, looks neater, saves money.

[ElectriciansForums.net] viable replacement options for 8' fluorescents

somersetsparks · Jan 24, 2015

Leesparkykent said:
If there is a certain amount of light being let in to the building you could also go for day light harvesting fittings (thorn make an impact resistant fitting with this capability). You can also get the same fitting with a different sensor that has day light harvesting capabilities and is also a PIR. You can calculate pay back periods for this, it's going to be a bit more of an outlay initially but will end up paying for its self.

you could also get them out to site to make calculations for lux levels etc.

Very little natural light to be honest, and the whole place is busy so very little point in PIR'S either.
Probably just stick with standard switching in this place but thanks for the suggestion

Guest125 · Jan 24, 2015

tazz said:
We have replaced nursing homes with led lighting, with great success. More light, more than 50% lower bills. Emergency and normal fitting all combine in neater corridors, with maintenance guy no running around replacing tubes every day. This photo is a 2 year old installation still going strong, with pir switching and every 3rd fitting being EM, more light, looks neater, saves money.
View attachment 27658

Looks very nice. I am a big fan of LED fittings. Especially in hard to maintain areas.