Feit LED Shop Lights on Sale at Costco

[Steve Reich]

A number of recent threads have been about replacing fluorescent shop lights with LED. A number of you have recommended the Feit LED shop lights sold at Costco. I received my Costco Savings Coupon Book in the mail yesterday, and it announces that starting on April 17, those Feit 4-foot LED 4K will be on sale for $19.99 (usually $29.99). The book also says that Costco.com will have additional savings on the 2-packs (though the web site doesn't identify what the savings will be as of today; presumably it will starting Tuesday). I think it's time to bid farewell to my fluorescents.

[Pete Staehling]

I bought mine in a similar sale several years ago and have been very happy with them.

[Bill Bukovec]

I love mine.

[Jack Frederick]

I put 16 of them in my 30x34 shop switched in quadrants. They have been excellent for the past 3 yrs.

[Tim Bueler]

I've had 20 or so in use for 3 yrs. All totaled I probably have around 30 at various locations. I pick up a few everytime they go on sale and always seem to find a use for them. I have one that will only light one bulb but I have enough fixtures that I don't even notice and it's not worth getting a ladder to swap it out. Other than the one partial failure they've all worked great.

Before I bought them I did a little math and figured they would completely pay for themselves in saved electricity in under two years as compared to fluorescent, figuring a semi-retired 30 hr week. Also, the light is much better and they come on instantly even when I don't have the heat on.

[Jim Becker]

My shop is filled with them. Extremely satisfied.

[Dave Vogel]

Does anyone know if these can be wired without the ballast? Over the years my ballasts have been going out and I've been rewiring those fixtures for direct wire LED, removing the ballast and changing the tombstones. Everything I read about the Costco Felt bulbs is that they are a direct replacement for the florescent. I would prefer to not keep powering a ballast if it's not necessary and wonder if the bulbs will even work if the ballast no longer works.

[Malcolm McLeod]

Does anyone know if these can be wired without the ballast? ...

The (Costco) Feits I have are complete fixture replacements. They are end-wired w/ plugs. I have not had reason to disassemble them, as they have been trouble free for me. From my surface exam of them tho' they are not 'bulb' replacements - ballasted or otherwise.

[Chris Schoenthal]

They are end-wired w/ plugs.

Has anyone direct wired these? Also, any idea on what the 2 pack savings that they mention might be?

[Sam Murdoch]

Do these light have reflectors or (aka, dust collectors :)) or are the bulbs open to the ceiling?
I don't have access to a Costco so am looking elsewhere but would like to know what you all have been happy using.

Thanks.

Sam

[Greg R Bradley]

Has anyone direct wired these? Also, any idea on what the 2 pack savings that they mention might be?
Once you are in to direct wiring, you will certainly want to use better lights.
Basically all lighting suppliers sell LED ready fixtures and then you use whatever LED bulbs you wish. The fixtures are permanent. When the bulbs fail or wear out, you just replace them. It also allows you to choose brighter lights where you want them. You can choose higher efficiency bulbs if you are using them a lot or pay high prices for electricity and are willing to pay a bit more for a bulb that will make more light per watt.

Here is one example although my local lighting supplier sells them for $12.50 when you buy 10+:
https://www.prolighting.com/lss2xt8use4803.html

Here are some bulbs that will make the Costco Feits seem like you are working by candlelight:
https://www.prolighting.com/led-light-bulbs/ledt8lamps/48-led-t8-lamps/48-led-ballast-bypass-lamps/gl07103-3m.html

Many possibilities. Narrow angle, wider angle, less/more light, Lumens per watt vs price per bulb. Reliable brands with a warranty that might be worth something, etc.

[Peter Christensen]

Do these light have reflectors or (aka, dust collectors :)) or are the bulbs open to the ceiling?
I don't have access to a Costco so am looking elsewhere but would like to know what you all have been happy using.

Thanks.

Sam

Sam you should look into buying the lights direct from China where they are made. If you already have fluorescent fixtures then getting replacement bulbs make a lot of sense. If you have none then buying the fixture assemblies can be more cost effective especially if you are getting a lot. I bought my fixtures through Alibaba a couple years ago and have been extremely happy with them.

[Chris Schoenthal]

Once you are in to direct wiring, you will certainly want to use better lights.

Appreciate all the information and those from ProLighting don't look bad if I wanted to rewire the existing fixtures.
My question should have been worded a little differently as - Has anyone directly wired these instead of using the plug?
My lights are currently wired into junction boxes and I don't want to install outlets for the lights.

[Tony Zona]

I paid $10 a four-foot tube at my electrical supply house, where the pros go.

The tubes work without ballasts, exactly as I wanted.

I removed the ballasts from existing fixtures then wired black to one end of the tubes’ two tombstones and white to the two at the other end.

They work fine, and with very little work I reused the old fixtures and didn’t have to figure out where to trash them.

The old fluorescent tubes I removed went to a neighbor. I was lucky he needed them.

[Rod Sheridan]

Appreciate all the information and those from ProLighting don't look bad if I wanted to rewire the existing fixtures.
My question should have been worded a little differently as - Has anyone directly wired these instead of using the plug?
My lights are currently wired into junction boxes and I don't want to install outlets for the lights.

Chris, do you live in an area that requires approved equipment?

I do, and modifying the fixture would void the approval...........Regards, Rod.

[Chris Schoenthal]

Chris, do you live in an area that requires approved equipment?

Rod, we here in Texas like to think that we don't need approval for anything.
(except from the wife and that usually is required when she catches me). :)

[Jon Snider]

Online sale is now posted at Costco, at least for the 2 pack which I looked at, which are $20 off.

[Monte Milanuk]

Anyone here ran these linked three in a row?

The new (to me) shop has two rows of 8 ft T12 fixtures with the big noisy magnetic ballasts. The current fixtures are connected end to end (in each row) thru EMT, and then plugged into a ceiling mounted outlet. So in theory I could pull those down and replace each bank of four 8 ft T12s (2 fixtures with 2 bulbs each) with three of these LED fixtures linked by the 5 ft cord... just wondering if the light is going to be better, with the much smaller bulbs, or if I need more fixtures?

[Dave Burson]

I am just meeting with contractor to build my shop extension. So lighting is one of many on my list. Wondering about the light spectrum on this. It says 4000k. I read elsewhere that tends to be slightly "cool" light, whatever that is?, and that 5000k is better suited for shops. Can someone shed some light on that (pun intended:)
TIA

[Jim Becker]

Anyone here ran these linked three in a row?
Yes, I have one string at four units and one at three units which made it much easier to deploy them in the pattern I wanted them to be. I believe the limit is 5 per chain, but check the specifications directly to be sure.

[Monte Milanuk]

Five in a row would work nicely. Thought I read in the description on the website that they only supported linking three, though...

[Greg R Bradley]

Anyone here ran these linked three in a row?

The new (to me) shop has two rows of 8 ft T12 fixtures with the big noisy magnetic ballasts. The current fixtures are connected end to end (in each row) thru EMT, and then plugged into a ceiling mounted outlet. So in theory I could pull those down and replace each bank of four 8 ft T12s (2 fixtures with 2 bulbs each) with three of these LED fixtures linked by the 5 ft cord... just wondering if the light is going to be better, with the much smaller bulbs, or if I need more fixtures?
What kind of T12? Are they 75w pin style?

Good quality 8' 2 tube T12 with good ballasts and bulbs will put out a lot more light than the 4' Feits. If does appear that you are considering replacing two T12 with 4 Feits. If they are mounted on a directly to a white ceiling the light distribution will be excellent. Sounds like all of that may be suspect since you referenced buzzing ballasts. Also T12 bulbs have a short life so most people are working under lamps that are long ago worn out.

Since those lights are already there and hooked up the easiest LED conversion is LED bulbs. Thats an easy conversion but may be too much light with too narrow dispersion angle depending on mounting height.

Start with exactly what light such as bare bulb strip, etc. How high are they mounted? How high is ceiling above?

[Sam Murdoch]

I am just meeting with contractor to build my shop extension. So lighting is one of many on my list. Wondering about the light spectrum on this. It says 4000k. I read elsewhere that tends to be slightly "cool" light, whatever that is?, and that 5000k is better suited for shops. Can someone shed some light on that (pun intended:)
TIA

I'd like to hear too if some of you are OK with 4000k or prefer 5,000k, or in the middle? Is the 5,000k to bright white?

Thanks.

Sam

[Greg R Bradley]

I'd like to hear too if some of you are OK with 4000k or prefer 5,000k, or in the middle? Is the 5,000k to bright white?

Thanks.

Sam
I much prefer 4000K as it works well in houses, office, and shop and allows one temp for just about everything. 5000K is still fine in a shop but a bit harsh to my taste.

Some people think 5000K is too blue, others only complain about too blue at 6500K.

[Darcy Warner]

Go to Ebay, search high bay led lights. I have now bought 70 of them from one seller. The 50, 70 and 100w screw right into a keyless fixture, the 150w need a cord.

9 bucks for 50w, 14 for 100w, 26 for 150w. All have built in shades, that look like an old factory light. 6000k color.

I actually like the 6k, doesn't seem blue at all to me.

[Monte Milanuk]

Well, these are a pin style I've never encountered before. They aren't a straight-up (bare) bi-pin like commonly found on 4 ft T8s, and they don't have one large pin like other F96T12s I've encountered before. More of a rectangular black plastic plug - probably a shrouded bi-pin?

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408186

In my previous shop, I replaced a number of 2 & 4 bulb 8 ft T12 fixtures (75w with the single pin) with a like number of 8 ft fixtures using 4 ft T8s, and had *easily* 50% more light. 8 ft unfinished ceilings (not even sheet rock), no reflectors.

The current shop has ~9-1/2 ceilings, with finished sheet rock, painted satin white. The existing fixtures are bare strips, two bulbs each. Spacer blocks to hold them off the ceiling for cooling. EMT conduit between the fixtures, and a cord going to a ceiling outlet. There are two such rows supplying the primary light for the ~24x32 ft shop, positioned about 8 ft in from the sides and 8 ft btwn them. Length wise they are spaced about 6-7 ft from the walls and 4-6 ft btwn the fixtures.

There is an additional row of three 4 ft 2 bulb T8 hanging shop lights over a long counter top that runs down one wall. Those *will* be getting replaced by 4 bulb Led fixtures, sooner rather than later.

The existing 8 ft lamps don't provide what I consider to be very bright light, whether due to not enough fixtures / bulbs, or the design of said fixtures. I'm not considering replacing four 8 ft two bulb fixtures with four 4 ft LED (2 in each row), but rather six (three per row), if not more. Each row is supplied by a separate outlet; I'll have to check what outlets are fed from which circuit to see if I have enough room to simply plug additional rows of linked lamps into the existing outlets. Nothing is ever that easy in my life, though.

I am interested in the same question about the light "temperature" that's been raised. If that means I need to go with something specific to task at hand, rather than what's on sale... I'm okay with that.

[Peter Christensen]

My fixtures are 6000K. That's pretty close to noonday sunlight. I like it. Someone else might not. My fixtures are all in one not conversion bulbs but that shouldn't make a difference to the light you get. I have 64,000 lumens in about 640 square feet.

[Sam Murdoch]

My fixtures are 6000K. That's pretty close to noonday sunlight. I like it. Someone else might not. My fixtures are all in one not conversion bulbs but that shouldn't make a difference to the light you get. I have 64,000 lumens in about 640 square feet.

Peter how natural are wood colors/stain etc. in that intensity of lumens & kelvin ?

[Greg R Bradley]

Well, these are a pin style I've never encountered before. They aren't a straight-up (bare) bi-pin like commonly found on 4 ft T8s, and they don't have one large pin like other F96T12s I've encountered before. More of a rectangular black plastic plug - probably a shrouded bi-pin?

408184
408186

In my previous shop, I replaced a number of 2 & 4 bulb 8 ft T12 fixtures (75w with the single pin) with a like number of 8 ft fixtures using 4 ft T8s, and had *easily* 50% more light. 8 ft unfinished ceilings (not even sheet rock), no reflectors.

The current shop has ~9-1/2 ceilings, with finished sheet rock, painted satin white. The existing fixtures are bare strips, two bulbs each. Spacer blocks to hold them off the ceiling for cooling. EMT conduit between the fixtures, and a cord going to a ceiling outlet. There are two such rows supplying the primary light for the ~24x32 ft shop, positioned about 8 ft in from the sides and 8 ft btwn them. Length wise they are spaced about 6-7 ft from the walls and 4-6 ft btwn the fixtures.

There is an additional row of three 4 ft 2 bulb T8 hanging shop lights over a long counter top that runs down one wall. Those *will* be getting replaced by 4 bulb Led fixtures, sooner rather than later.

The existing 8 ft lamps don't provide what I consider to be very bright light, whether due to not enough fixtures / bulbs, or the design of said fixtures. I'm not considering replacing four 8 ft two bulb fixtures with four 4 ft LED (2 in each row), but rather six (three per row), if not more. Each row is supplied by a separate outlet; I'll have to check what outlets are fed from which circuit to see if I have enough room to simply plug additional rows of linked lamps into the existing outlets. Nothing is ever that easy in my life, though.

I am interested in the same question about the light "temperature" that's been raised. If that means I need to go with something specific to task at hand, rather than what's on sale... I'm okay with that.
Those are T12 HO lamps. The base is called R17D. Those are energy saver 95w bulbs as the standard HO is 110w. The mystery is why they aren't very bright. Correctly working ballasts and new T12 HO lamps are VERY bright, 6000+ lumens per bulb. It is possible they are crazy old bulbs but if the ballasts are buzzing, perhaps there are other problems. The same end is used for VHO bulbs, which are 11,000+ lumens. Perhaps they have saver HO bulbs in VHO fixtures. Something is off here as we use single 2 bulb 8' HO fixture with reflectors over workbenches for critical work at 120 foot candles. They get down to 90fc when the bulbs are "done" but they keep working LONG after that.
You could swap out the tombstones for single pin and use 8' LED. This works well as you can rotate the bulbs out to cover a wider angle and help make up for some of the LED issue with too narrow output. I wouldn't use these any lower than the 9' you have as they can be too glaring.

[Peter Christensen]

Peter how natural are wood colors/stain etc. in that intensity of lumens & kelvin ?


It's just after 1:00pm here and I took a few boards outside in the direct sun. Went back in the shop and the colours look to be very close except that it is at least 4 times brighter outside according to my phone app. The higher Kelvin light the LED's throw to me, are a white light that is more full spectrum than my recollection of full spectrum fluorescents. If you have doubts get enough bulbs to light up a corner of the shop and check out the light. If you like it get more for the remaining shop. If you don't spread them out evenly throughout the shop with lower Kelvin lights in the rest of the fixtures to dilute them.

[Monte Milanuk]

Those are T12 HO lamps. The base is called R17D. Those are energy saver 95w bulbs as the standard HO is 110w.

Good to know!


The mystery is why they aren't very bright. Correctly working ballasts and new T12 HO lamps are VERY bright, 6000+ lumens per bulb.

Well, fwiw I replaced one bulb recently (the burnt one in the image above) and it doesn't seem noticeably brighter than any of the other ones in *any* of the fixtures.



You could swap out the tombstones for single pin and use 8' LED. This works well as you can rotate the bulbs out to cover a wider angle and help make up for some of the LED issue with too narrow output. I wouldn't use these any lower than the 9' you have as they can be too glaring.

What would be the benefit of doing that? TBH, I *hate* working with 8 ft bulbs, start to finish, from getting them home from the store (have to make a special trip with the truck because they won't reasonably fit in my car, but 4 footers do) to disposal. I don't live in a metro area; some things that are commonly available elsewhere are... not so much, here. If I have to get up there to pull apart and rewire the fixture, why would I do that instead of just pull them down and replace them with LED fixtures of a known history?

[lee cox]

Here are some bulbs that will make the Costco Feits seem like you are working by candlelight:
https://www.prolighting.com/led-light-bulbs/ledt8lamps/48-led-t8-lamps/48-led-ballast-bypass-lamps/gl07103-3m.html

Many possibilities. Narrow angle, wider angle, less/more light, Lumens per watt vs price per bulb. Reliable brands with a warranty that might be worth something, etc.

I think the Costco lights give off more Lumens unless you are running multiple bulbs and then you are burning more power(watts). I guess there is nothing free.

[Greg R Bradley]

I think the Costco lights give off more Lumens unless you are running multiple bulbs and then you are burning more power(watts). I guess there is nothing free.
Costco Feit is a two bulb type integrated fixture. Looks like two bulbs but not removable. 42 watts to produce 4000 lumen. 95 Lumen per watt.

Typical LED $12 bare fixture has two pairs of tombstones for two 4' lamps so my example is 18 watts & 2640 lumens each so two lamp fixture 36 watts to produce 5300 lumens. 145 Lumen per watt.

The Costco Feits just aren't a serious light. Great when you buy one or two to add a light over a bench or similar.

The advantage of a fixture is that it goes in permanently or semi-permanently and then you choose the "bulbs" as appropriate.

[Peter Christensen]

Lee I don’t understand your reasoning. How the fixtures are set up shouldn’t mater as long as sufficient power is supplied. Daisy chaining would limit the power by the size of the wires in a fixture. The fixture series I bought were able to handle a total of 200 watts when daisy chained together. So I could have put 5 together with the 5’ ones I got. If I bought their 2’ long ones I could have put closer to 10. If I bought the 8’ fixtures I think the limit was 2 or 3. If I remember correctly they could have been mixed too as long as they didn’t exceed the 200 watt limit. I found out later that if wired as a single fixture they could be dimmed.

[Greg R Bradley]

Good to know!



Well, fwiw I replaced one bulb recently (the burnt one in the image above) and it doesn't seem noticeably brighter than any of the other ones in *any* of the fixtures.




What would be the benefit of doing that? TBH, I *hate* working with 8 ft bulbs, start to finish, from getting them home from the store (have to make a special trip with the truck because they won't reasonably fit in my car, but 4 footers do) to disposal. I don't live in a metro area; some things that are commonly available elsewhere are... not so much, here. If I have to get up there to pull apart and rewire the fixture, why would I do that instead of just pull them down and replace them with LED fixtures of a known history?
It depends on the quality of the existing lights and how well they are mounted and wired. HO fixtures tended to be well made. On most of mine, changing tombstones and wiring was less work than removing the old ones. No one right answer for all situations. One issue with 8' LED conversions is that most of the vendors will only ship them in case quantities, which is usually 15. But then they are shipped right to your door and you don't have to pick them up or haul them.

I do suppose there are advantages to an urban environment. My local wholesale lighting supplier is two blocks away. Don't get me started on the DISadvantages of urban.........

[lee cox]

Costco Feit is a two bulb type integrated fixture. Looks like two bulbs but not removable. 42 watts to produce 4000 lumen. 95 Lumen per watt.

Typical LED $12 bare fixture has two pairs of tombstones for two 4' lamps so my example is 18 watts & 2640 lumens each so two lamp fixture 36 watts to produce 5300 lumens. 145 Lumen per watt.

The Costco Feits just aren't a serious light. Great when you buy one or two to add a light over a bench or similar.

The advantage of a fixture is that it goes in permanently or semi-permanently and then you choose the "bulbs" as appropriate.

You are correct. I have 15 or 17 Costco lights I installed last year. I remember them as 32 watts but I was wrong as I just looked it up.

[lee cox]

I like the color of the Costco lights. We use 3 of them to light up our long kitchen counter. They get used every day for several hours. Out of 15 or 17 fixtures we had 1 light that was bad, dim. Costco exchanged it.

We installed 4 Costco LED lights in my wife's sewing room. You almost need sunglasses. It is setup as indirect light reflecting off the ceiling.

[Greg R Bradley]

Lee, they could have been 32watt and 3000 lumens. I think they have changed them several times. I think they had a 38 watt 3600 lumen 4' also. There seem to be three different appearances too.

[Jim Becker]

The Costco Feits just aren't a serious light. Great when you buy one or two to add a light over a bench or similar.
Well...walking into my shop is like walking onto a sunny beach since I put in the Feit fixtures as well as a few replacement "tubes" for four T12 fixtures that were still in good condition. Granted, I probably am using a few more than some folks might in a given area with an 8' ceiling, but I'm not lacking for light in any way.

[Monte Milanuk]

It depends on the quality of the existing lights and how well they are mounted and wired. HO fixtures tended to be well made. On most of mine, changing tombstones and wiring was less work than removing the old ones.

Fair point. I remember taking down the old 8 ft 4 bulb T12 fixtures with magnetic ballasts by myself at the last house. That was *not* fun! I don't know about the 'quality' of the fixtures themselves, but whoever put them up sure did a pretty nice job of it. Might be worth keeping them after all...


One issue with 8' LED conversions is that most of the vendors will only ship them in case quantities, which is usually 15. But then they are shipped right to your door and you don't have to pick them up or haul them.

I had no idea you could mail order 8 ft light bulbs from *Amazon* :eek: Looks like they can be had in quantities as small as 4... but I'd need at least 8... hmmm...

I replaced one of the 4 ft 2 bulb T8 shop lights with a CE (Home Depot) 4 bulb 4 ft LED fixture. (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-ft-4-Light-80-Watt-White-Integrated-Heavy-Duty-Utility-LED-Shop-Light-with-Pull-Chain-SHOP-4X4-840-HD/306224339).. holy cow, what a difference. Both in the amount of light, and the color.

[David L Morse]

Fair point. I remember taking down the old 8 ft 4 bulb T12 fixtures with magnetic ballasts by myself at the last house. That was *not* fun! I don't know about the 'quality' of the fixtures themselves, but whoever put them up sure did a pretty nice job of it. Might be worth keeping them after all...


If you're going to rewire and replace tombstones another option is to retrofit the fixtures to hold four or six 4 ft tubes. It's a bit more work but there's a much wider selection of 4 ft LED tubes compared to 8 ft.

I did the six tube conversion with my fixtures. It's tedious but not difficult.
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[glenn bradley]

A number of recent threads have been about replacing fluorescent shop lights with LED. A number of you have recommended the Feit LED shop lights sold at Costco. I received my Costco Savings Coupon Book in the mail yesterday, and it announces that starting on April 17, those Feit 4-foot LED 4K will be on sale for $19.99 (usually $29.99). The book also says that Costco.com will have additional savings on the 2-packs (though the web site doesn't identify what the savings will be as of today; presumably it will starting Tuesday). I think it's time to bid farewell to my fluorescents.

Thanks to your post Steve, I remembered to stop by and pick up a few more of these at a good price. Thanks again for that.

[Jared Sankovich]

Well...walking into my shop is like walking onto a sunny beach since I put in the Feit fixtures as well as a few replacement "tubes" for four T12 fixtures that were still in good condition. Granted, I probably am using a few more than some folks might in a given area with an 8' ceiling, but I'm not lacking for light in any way.

This..

I have 16 costco feit fixtures in a 20x30 space and the only room I've been that was brighter (and literally hurt your eyes) was a 9x13 machine shop metrology room painted all white with two 8' t5ho fixtures (8 bulbs)

15 fixtures from Costco are $300.. 224 lumens per dollar of lighting fixture. Running costs are irrelevant compared to everything else in a shop..

[Sam Murdoch]

In the For what it's Worth dept. - AS - the quality remains to be seen - I ordered this week, out of the mighty river, (inspired by this thread - thank you) a set of 6 - double bulb LEDs 5,000k, 4100 lumens, 40 watt, and with frosted bulbs for $ 23.70 each including S&H and tax. 7 year manufacturers warranty. 5 foot cords, daisy chain capabilities and pull cords too if you need them. I'm expecting to be delighted!

I'll let you know if this is so, next week.

Sam

[Monte Milanuk]

If you're going to rewire and replace tombstones another option is to retrofit the fixtures to hold four or six 4 ft tubes. It's a bit more work but there's a much wider selection of 4 ft LED tubes compared to 8 ft.

Hah! Another thing that I had no idea it was even an option! By chance would you have any links to where you found those?

[David L Morse]

Hah! Another thing that I had no idea it was even an option! By chance would you have any links to where you found those?

https://www.warehouse-lighting.com/products/8-strip-retrofit-kit-6-lamps-x-f32t8-10-pack?variant=26497753612388