Fluorescent Lights

TCP LT814B2CCT LED Light

Fluorescent lights in the basement are burning out. Go to Home Depot, all they have is LED replacements. Apparently you can't buy actual fluorescent bulbs in Oregon anymore. They had one there that claimed to be a Direct Replacement, so I picked up a pair for about $15. They plugged into the old fixture, no problem, and turned on, but you may as well have not bothered as they were nowhere near as bright (1800 Lumens) as the old ones (there are still some fluorescents that aren't burned out). So I go to Platt Electric Supply (which is actually closer to my house) but they don't have any fluorescents either. However, they ordered me a pair brighter LED lights (2600 Lumens) for $25. Only problem is you have to rewire the fixture to bypass the ballast.

WAGO Triple Connector

While I am waiting, I notice they have WAGO connectors on the shelf. I've heard good things about them, so I pick up a couple of small boxes, about the size of a deck of cards, thinking there will be a dozen connectors in the box and it will be five or six bucks. Then I check out and each box is like $25. That's when I notice there are like 100 connectors in each box. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I have an old yogurt tub full of wire-nuts that I could use, but you know what? Those wire-nuts, bless their little plastic hearts, are just a real pain. Something about wires, they just don't like to line up against other wires, and if they do then the ends are not aligned. If you can get them to behave, you can twist on the wire-nut and have secure connection. Usually. If the wire-nut gods are smiling on you. These little WAGO connectors cost somewhere around forty cents each but they are infinitely quicker and easier to use. I recommend getting a variety pack that has connectors for 2, 3, 4 & 5 wires. I only got 2 & 3 wire connectors, so I had to cascade them to get all the wires in the fixture connected. 

The wiring is dirt simple. You can supply power to both ends, or just to the two pins on one end. Schematic printed right on end cap.

Got the fixture wired and the lights installed, Now I get to select what color I want. Switch on the end cap has five settings:

• 3000K
• 3500K
• 4000K
• 5000K
• 6500K

I think I set mine to 5000K.