Replacing fluorescent lighting with LED lighting help.

[Avant]

Hey Guys,

So I am looking to take out my old fluorescent lighting and replacing with 4 to 6 LED recessed lights.
There is only one light switch that controls the lights. It looks like they are wired in series and then each light has a ballast. There is only the one line coming out from the ceiling that wires to the first light, then to the 2nd then to the third.

If i remove the current lights, can I take that one line and just run the new LED recessed light sin parallel? The switch for the kitchen lights is a two switch unit. one for the hallway and one for the kitchen.

Is there anything else I would have to do? Looks pretty straight forward but just want to make sure.

Thanks

 

[Sparky617]

It isn't really a series/parallel thing. Here is a simple diagram to show you how it is done. What kind of LED fixtures are you looking to install? If you are looking at recessed cans Your Fluorescent lights use the fixture as the wiring enclosure, with a can light the fixture is the wiring enclosure. Any junction boxes need to be accessible from either the attic or through the ceiling.

http://www.buildmyowncabin.com/electrical/wiring-multiple-lights.gif

I've installed these on a project. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...an-Disk-Light-CE-JB4-600L-27K-E26-2/206105620 They install on a standard old work box.

Old work ceiling box: http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-18-cu-in-Round-Old-Work-Ceiling-Box-B618RR/100404072

 

[Avant]

It isn't really a series/parallel thing. Here is a simple diagram to show you how it is done. What kind of LED fixtures are you looking to install? If you are looking at recessed cans Your Fluorescent lights use the fixture as the wiring enclosure, with a can light the fixture is the wiring enclosure. Any junction boxes need to be accessible from either the attic or through the ceiling.

http://www.buildmyowncabin.com/electrical/wiring-multiple-lights.gif

I've installed these on a project. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...an-Disk-Light-CE-JB4-600L-27K-E26-2/206105620 They install on a standard old work box.

Old work ceiling box: http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-18-cu-in-Round-Old-Work-Ceiling-Box-B618RR/100404072

Pretty similar to those LED's is what I am looking for. It is on my first floor so there isnt a ton of space to work with.

Here is a picture of the current lights.

 

[Avant]

Here is what I want to setup.

Currently one switch and 3 wires that are currently up there to work with. I just want to make sure i can wire this with out running any additional wires back to the switch. Should be straight forward but wanted to make sure.

 

[nealtw]

The first link in post 2 will work fine, no extra wires.

If this is top floor with insulation in the attic, special pot lights for that.

 

[Avant]

The first link in post 2 will work fine, no extra wires.

If this is top floor with insulation in the attic, special pot lights for that.

Yea, I will be getting IC fixtures. Its bottom floor with insulation between floors.

So with the three wires that are currently coming from the switch. I should be able to wire 4 lights in parallel?

 

[nealtw]

Yes Black to black in all fixtures, white to all white in all fixtures, ground to ground in all fixtures

 

[Sparky617]

If you go with what I had in the second link I provided you don't need a can or a pot light. They mount to a standard old work box and as an added bonus you don't need to buy a separate trim ring.

One challenge in doing new lights with a floor above is running the wires between joist bays unless your ceiling was strapped before they put up the drywall. Around here strapping the ceiling is pretty rare.

 

[Snoonyb]

Also, besides the wiring, there is the light color, or temperature, you are accustom to in the kitchen.

2700 is a yellow light and 6500 is a blue, or daylight, in the spectrum.

 

[Sparky617]

Soft white or yellow. In the application we put them in the 2700K soft white color was perfect. One note, I tried to dim these with a LED compatible dimmer and they strobed. We decided we didn't really need to dim them so I just put in a regular on/off switch.

A different brand dimmer may work better.

 

[Avant]

awesome. So if i wire up all the color codes wires I should be good. I thought wiring like that would be a series circuit and they would be dimmer than normal.

There is about 2-3 feet above the ceiling so there is a little room but not a ton.

Thanks gang. Should be able o knock this out this weekend.

 

[Avant]

Also, being that it is one switch and installing 4 lights. Is there a certain wattage per light i should buy?

 

[Snoonyb]

Also, being that it is one switch and installing 4 lights. Is there a certain wattage per light i should buy?

It will depend upon how you lamp the fixtures, IE., the color of the light you were using in the fluorescent fixtures.

As a for instance, a 3000K led, which is in the cool white of the spectrum, operates on 32watts, which is about 100 lumens per watt.

There are more efficient models from other mfgs.

CREE, as a for instance, has LED's operating at 300 lumens per watt.

 

[Avant]

I've installed these on a project. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...an-Disk-Light-CE-JB4-600L-27K-E26-2/206105620 They install on a standard old work box.

Old work ceiling box: http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-18-cu-in-Round-Old-Work-Ceiling-Box-B618RR/100404072

This is hands down the easiest combo in the world! I was so amazed on how straight forward and how little work was involved with this.

I bought 5-6-inch Can Disks with 4-inch work ceiling box. Turned out amazing. Sits perfectly flush with the ceiling since you can really tighten them up good.

Thank you so much for this advise!

Before:

After (so far)

 

[Sparky617]

Thanks for the update. Glad it worked out for you. I really like that product for ease of installation and low clearance requirements.

 

[Avant]

Turns out i had about 4 feet of clearance one I opened it up. Didn't even have to drill through any Joists which is nice.

Thanks again. I will post once all done and painted with the new crown molding.

 

[Avant]

Almost done! Gotta do the molding up to the ceiling. Caulk all gaps and paint.

 

[Snoonyb]

Turns out i had about 4 feet of clearance one I opened it up. Didn't even have to drill through any Joists which is nice.

While you have opted for the ease and conveniences, in the trades I am not afforded that luxury, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.

In those two application, in particular, lighting is very important, as is allowing for versatility in the selection of lamping, which your selected fixture do not.

Your project is proceeding nicely, so keep up the attention to detail.

 

[slownsteady]

Avant: did you take down your pix? I can't see any. Anyone able to see them besides me?

 

[Avant]

Nope, I can see them. Try now.