PL-S Fluorescent Tube - LED Substitution

[Citroënbender]

Is this a WOFTAM - as in, am I better off simply renewing a couple of these (11W) with new fluoros? I can’t find much locally offered in LED to replace.

They’re in domestic bollard lights on a sensor/override setup.

[russellw]

There are direct replacement types but some of them require rewiring as they don't need ballasts. Try calling one of the specialists like LED Me.

[Citroënbender]

Cheers, after further searches overnight and this morning it seems this (PL-S / PL-C) is one of the orphan specs for tubes as the only suppliers so far are well overseas.

I’ll drop in standard replacements for now (long, dark driveway) and recommend an updated fitting. The job is giving up hidden shortcuts and bodges as I work - would not be surprised to discover asbestos sheet chunks buried in the lawn/garden.

[Fed]

Try and track down the bollard fitting manufacturer they probably have brackets for a BC lampholder option.

[Citroënbender]

It looks like 65mm DWV pipe with a threaded fitting that holds the diffuser and cradles the lamp socket, simply glued in the top - pretty rough.

[Fed]

They sound like mine LOL!

'O' ring between the diffuser and the base.
Mine were held on to the pipe with 3 tiny set screws (self tappers) but I think that was just the way they were originally installed. Pipe would have been a separate purchase to the light fittings.

I should add that mine started off with the same fluoros as yours then got gutted and fitted with BC lampholders with the spiral type fluoro lamps then they got changed to LEDs, best thing I ever did do.

Google images "garden bollard lights" could help you.

[Citroënbender]

IP51 on a good day.



No o-rings, just a bead of silicone holding the grey base into the DWV.

[Fed]

Seeing you only have a couple of them I'd start from scratch with new fittings and LEDs.

[X-AHH]

Cheapest way out would be to buy a couple of G23 or GX23 (whichever it is) to E27 adaptors from the net (Ebay, Aliexpress etc) you can then bypass the ballast and run normal household LED or compact fluorescent bulbs in the lights

[Citroënbender]

Next question: Is this still a B22 cap, despite twin contacts on the base?



240V 15W Pygmy globe ex Controll-a-Door, RS have an LED substitute that says B22 base but the spec sheet doesn’t have an illustration to confirm.

Cheers for any advice on this one. The first post’s issue was resolved fine with assistance from here.

[Fed]

If it measures 22mm across not including the pins then yes.

[Citroënbender]

Thanks muchly. Problem solved!

[Citroënbender]

The job that keeps on giving... This is why I was thinking it might be a good infill for Mr 4...

Are there any third party solutions that use the garage roller door light circuit to also power up the bollard lights? Ideally 240V, not really interested in going down the 12/24V /Raspberry Pi etc rabbit hole.

The driveway is quite long. First issue is the remotes don’t work until you’re about 20m past the kerb. But it would be nice to find a fix that boosted the controller signal at the front boundary, and also powered up the bollard lighting when either door operated. The approx 3 minute hold on the garage door light circuit would also serve well on departure.

I realise another solution might be an IR beam or heavily shuttered PIR sensor at the driveway entrance, in parallel with an existing one at the house (which presently just operates a couple of floods).

[Tonz]

read a story of mechanic returning a car home (before mobile phone days) and forgot the number but he found a garage door remote controller...soon found the right house.