COMPLETE: Fluorescent to LED Conversion

SuperDutyFiver wrote:
That is awesome-I take it that you're very happy with the light output? I may be pushed over the edge now on doing this-especially since they will turn right on in the cold and last virtually forever!

The amount of light is fine. If you do the math around the lumens you should be able to get a similar amount of light out of the LEDs based on what your fluorescents put out. From what I observed on this project, that is pretty reliable. Looking online there are currently 3 different specs on these strips:

• 3528 SMD - each LED chip puts out 5 lumens
• 5050 SMD - each LED chip puts out 18 lumens
• 5630 SMD - each LED chip puts out 30 lumens
  

The strips can be cut every 2 inches and each 2 inch segment has 3 LEDs, so it is pretty easy to calculate how many segments you would need to get the amount of light you want - then just determine how many strips that would be and how to position them. For example, on the 5630 strip I bought, each 2" segment puts out 90 lumens.

As I mentioned, the "cool white" that I got is alot cooler than "cool white" fluorescents that I typically use. I am going to order a roll of "nature white" and swap them out to see if I like it better before I do any more conversions. That is still cheaper than more years of buying replacement bulbs!

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Jan 28, 2014 OP update: As I mentioned after the fact in the original post, I did finally replace with warmer LEDs (400-4500k range) and much happier with the color of the light. Honestly cannot tell it from the cool white fluorescent that I have used over the years.
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The only other thing worth mentioning, in the specs you will see that the "view angle" is 120º, while fluorescents are of course 360º and the reflector can cast the light further. This effect is somewhat noticeable, maybe to the keen eye, but I don't see it as a negative.