Converting 9 ft Diamond Light Fluorescent tubes to LED with 8 ft LED tubes

[Dawgneck]

I apologize if someone already shared information similar to what I typed below.

As of this writing, Diamond and TOCOR Lighting are graciously providing instructions on how to replace the four, 8-foot fluorescent light tubes in the older 9 foot table lights with eight, four foot LED tubes. The instructions are simple to follow but there is less work involved if you use four, 8-foot LED tubes… and the results are great!

I switched my Sylvania Octron 4100k, 59 watt fluorescent tubes with the 5000k, “direct drive” led tubes made by LEDXPERT. The model number is T8M8-36W-AL and I purchased them from Lighting Spot: https://www.lighting-spot.com/8-foot-led-5000k-frosted-direct-wire.html. I picked the bulbs up from Lighting Spot’s Long Beach location for $20 each.

It is very simple to modify the Diamond Light fixture to accept these bulbs. Simply remove the fluorescent bulbs and ballast/wiring cover, cut the two blue wires on top of each ballast and attach them to the black (live) power wire from your switch, cut the red wire from the bottom end of each ballast and attach it to the white (neutral) power wire from the switch then insert the LED tubes.

Note: The bulb is not dimmable and it won't work with ballasts or dimmable switches BUT for those who can’t perform the modification, you can buy a “plug and play” bulb that can be used with the ballast. Simply remove the old 8ft fluorescent bulbs and insert these. It is found here: https://www.lighting-spot.com/8-foot-led-5000k-frosted-plug-n-play.html . I don’t think this bulb will work with a dimmable switch either.

I chose the direct drive LED tube because the Plug and Play tubes were not in stock. I think the direct drive tubes are a good choice because they will bypass future "ballast failures". Besides this, I can only assume they perform the same.

My findings:

1. I can confirm there is definitely less heat from the light now and my room is cooler. A reading from my thermometer gun centered on the table top and pointed upward towards the light measures 87.5 degrees. My reading from the fluorescent bulb, which measured 102 degrees.

2. The following is subjective, but to me, the light from the Diamond light with either LED or fluorescent bulbs looks better than the LED panels I’ve seen. The light from the panels flood nearby areas and is distracting to my eyes. The Diamond light beams the light directly on the table

3. The lighting is evenly spread across the table through the diffusers with minimal to no side shadows on the balls. This is the same as the lighting from the fluorescent bulbs, and, in my opinion, WAY better than light from LED panels.

4. The 5000k LED bulbs show the ball colors more accurate than the 4100k fluorescent bulbs. The cue ball appears to be a truer and brighter white and the other colors appear to be more accurate to my eyes, compared to the 4100k fluorescent bulbs.

5. The amount of light from the LED bulbs (3600 lumens) appear to be slightly lower than the light from the fluorescent bulbs (unknown lumens) BUT to me, the amount of light and color temp from the LED bulbs is better for my game. It’s as if the amount of light from the fluorescent bulbs was too high to begin with….

I can’t think of one negative thing to say about the bulb or the modification. I'm glad I took the time to track down the 8 ft bulbs and I hope the above information helps anyone thinking of making the switch to LED tubes.

 

[Keith E.]

Thanks for the post Dawg.

Keith

 

[Cornerman]

I apologize if someone already shared information similar to what I typed below.

As of this writing, Diamond and TOCOR Lighting are graciously providing instructions on how to replace the four, 8-foot fluorescent...

(Snip)

I can’t think of one negative thing to say about the bulb or the modification. I'm glad I took the time to track down the 8 ft bulbs and I hope the above information helps anyone thinking of making the switch to LED tubes.

Great post. Your post will be responsible for the wave of owners who want to do this but were waiting for someone else.

I posted a photo in the Book of Faces when a pool hall changed out two of their lights to LEDs as a test. You can see how different the cloths look with the old fluorescent lights versus the new LED lights. One huge difference is that the fluorescent light has that slight yellow-ish tinge thing going on, and the tournament blue cloth almost looks green. Even though it’s actually very blue.

Freddie <~~~ LED be good

 

[cycopath]

I wonder if the LEDs will cause the cloth color to fade faster or slower compared to fluorescents?


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[Tony_in_MD]

I wonder if the LEDs will cause the cloth color to fade faster or slower compared to fluorescents?


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I think the closer the lights replicate daylight the faster the cloth will fade. Tourney blue 860 in my basement has faded more running led’s the last two years then when I was running fluorescents at my old location. My table remains covered except when playtime.


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[Dawgneck]

I think the closer the lights replicate daylight the faster the cloth will fade. Tourney blue 860 in my basement has faded more running led’s the last two years then when I was running fluorescents at my old location. My table remains covered except when playtime.
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I wonder if the LEDs will cause the cloth color to fade faster or slower compared to fluorescents?
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That's something I hadn't thought of.... I have four overhead skylights and sunlight hits the table for about 3 hours daily. I haven't seen any fading after two years.
Hopefully Simonis cloth is better at resisting fading that the other cloths

... One huge difference is that the fluorescent light has that slight yellow-ish tinge thing going on, and the tournament blue cloth almost looks green. Even though it’s actually very blue.

Freddie <~~~ LED be good

This is exactly what I experienced, Cornerman: There was a slight green tint under the 4100k fluorescent light. The tournament blue cloth appeared slightly washed-out but it now has a deeper blue color and looks beautiful under the 5000k light. The cue ball and the white in the other balls appear "whiter" and contrast nicely against the other colors.

I feel the Diamond Light and LED tube combination is the way to go. The accurate colors and lower temps are hard to beat. Compared to the LED panels, 5000k light pointed directly on the table through the diffuser and not lighting the entire room is less distracting and easier on my eyes. Add the lack of shadows on the side of the balls (completely due to the diffuser) and everything on the table look sharp and distinct. I feel I can see the "shot" slightly better.

Four 8-foot tubes instead of eight four-foot tubes is what I wanted. The time saved not having to modify the light to accept eight smaller tubes is the icing on the cake.

Again, I can't recommend this modification any stronger.