Metal Halide to LED Conversion Kits
- 50-70% energy reduction immediately while preserving existing fixture investments
- 15+ years reliable operation with 5-year USA warranty support
- Instant full brightness eliminates metal halide warm-up delays
Get Your Custom Lighting Plan With Product Recommendations
- Professional Conversion Plan Tailored to Your Existing Metal Halide Infrastructure
- Precise Wattage Matching & Ballast Bypass Requirements for Seamless Integration
- Eliminate Frequent Relamping & Reduce Energy Costs by Up to 75%
Our Metal Halide to LED Conversion Kits include LED light engines, drivers, and mounting hardware for converting existing HID fixtures. Available products include 45-watt, 100-watt, 120-watt, 150-watt, and 240-watt kits with outputs from 7,425 to 39,600 lumens. Catalog options include 16-inch and 23-inch shoebox retrofit kits, 5000K color temperature, and 100-277V configurations. These kits replace the existing lamp and ballast while retaining a compatible fixture housing. Selected products carry UL or ETL safety listings and DLC or DLC Premium listings.
Common applications for these conversion kits include shoebox lights, parking lot fixtures, wall packs, flood lights, canopy fixtures, indoor cans, and uplight fixtures. Available models cover compatible 175-watt, 250-watt, 400-watt, and 1000-watt metal halide replacements. Shoebox retrofit kits are used in compatible parking lot housings, while other configurations fit supported indoor and outdoor HID enclosures. Product specifications vary by model, including wattage, lumen output, voltage, dimensions, driver location, mounting hardware, controls, certifications, and environmental ratings.
What Is a Metal Halide to LED Retrofit Kit
A metal halide to LED retrofit kit upgrades an existing HID fixture by replacing the lamp and ballast with an LED light engine, LED driver, and mounting hardware. LED retrofit kits are used when the existing fixture housing is still in good condition and the goal is to improve efficiency, light quality, startup time, and maintenance without replacing the entire fixture.
Metal halide LED retrofit kits are commonly used in shoebox lights, parking lot fixtures, wall packs, flood lights, indoor cans, uplight fixtures, canopy fixtures, and other HID housings where the enclosure, mounting, voltage, and thermal conditions are compatible with the selected kit. Many kits also replace high-pressure sodium or other HID systems when properly specified.
Unlike metal halide lamps, LED retrofit kits provide instant-on operation and do not require the warm-up or restrike time associated with many HID systems. They can also reduce lamp and ballast maintenance while preserving the existing fixture appearance, which may be useful for architectural, budget-sensitive, or hard-to-replace fixtures.
Selection and Installation Note: Product specifications, wattage, lumen output, voltage, mounting hardware, fixture compatibility, thermal requirements, certifications, controls, and warranty coverage vary by model. Confirm the selected product specification before ordering. Retrofit kits should be installed by a qualified electrician. For code-sensitive, electrical, wet-location, outdoor, hazardous-location, emergency, or safety-critical applications, verify requirements with your local inspector or a licensed electrical professional.
Choose LED Retrofit Kits by Fixture Type, HID Wattage, or Retrofit Goal
The best retrofit kit depends on the existing fixture type, HID wattage, fixture housing condition, internal space, mounting hardware, voltage, desired lumen output, beam pattern, and whether the project would be better served by a complete fixture replacement.
| Retrofit Situation | Best Starting Point |
|---|---|
| 175W to 250W Metal Halide Replacement | Use a lower-wattage LED retrofit kit when the existing housing is in good condition and the application does not require a new optic, new fixture body, or advanced controls. |
| 400W Metal Halide Replacement | Use a 100W to 150W LED retrofit kit as a starting point, depending on fixture type, lumen needs, mounting height, and distribution requirements. |
| 1000W Metal Halide Replacement | Use a high-output LED retrofit kit only when the fixture housing, internal space, mounting hardware, voltage, and thermal conditions support the selected kit. |
| Shoebox or Parking Lot Fixture Retrofit | Use a shoebox-specific retrofit kit when the existing parking lot fixture housing is structurally sound and the retrofit kit matches the housing size and mounting method. |
| Architectural Fixture Preservation | Use a retrofit kit when preserving the existing fixture appearance is important and the housing remains safe, clean, sealed, and compatible with LED conversion. |
| Indoor Can or Uplight Retrofit | Use a compatible retrofit kit when the fixture has sufficient internal space, proper ventilation, suitable mounting, and the desired beam pattern. |
| Outdoor or Wet-Location Retrofit | Confirm the existing fixture housing, lens, gasket, seals, and IP or wet-location rating before installing an LED retrofit kit outdoors. |
| Control-Heavy Upgrade | Consider a full LED fixture replacement if the project requires advanced controls, new optics, integrated sensors, dimming, or a different distribution pattern. |
When LED Retrofit Kits Are the Right Fit
LED retrofit kits are a good fit when the existing fixture housing is still worth keeping and the retrofit kit can be installed safely with proper electrical, thermal, and mounting compatibility. They are not always the best choice when the fixture housing is damaged, corroded, poorly sealed, too small, or optically unsuitable for the application.
| Use LED Retrofit Kits When | Do Not Use LED Retrofit Kits When |
|---|---|
| The existing fixture housing is in good condition and can safely support the retrofit kit, driver, wiring, and mounting hardware. | The fixture housing is damaged, corroded, cracked, poorly sealed, or structurally compromised. A complete fixture replacement is usually safer. |
| The project needs a lower-cost LED upgrade while preserving the existing fixture appearance or mounting location. | The application requires new optics, better distribution, or a different beam pattern that the existing housing cannot provide. |
| The existing fixture has enough internal space for the LED kit, driver, wiring, heat sink, and mounting hardware. | The retrofit kit cannot be installed with proper thermal clearance, driver location, or wiring protection. |
| The voltage and electrical system are compatible with the selected retrofit kit and installation method. | The fixture is in a hazardous location or requires a special certification not provided by the retrofit kit and existing housing combination. |
| The fixture lens, gasket, and enclosure remain suitable for outdoor, wet-location, or dusty environments where applicable. | Advanced controls, sensors, dimming, or integrated features are required and a purpose-built LED fixture would perform better. |
Choosing a Metal Halide LED Retrofit Kit by Wattage, Lumens, Voltage, and Compatibility
Do not select a retrofit kit by HID wattage alone. The correct kit depends on the existing fixture housing, HID wattage, desired lumen output, mounting height, beam distribution, voltage, internal fixture space, thermal performance, and whether the fixture lens or reflector affects final light output.
A retrofit project should confirm the condition of the existing fixture before ordering. If the housing, gasket, lens, reflector, socket, wiring, or mounting hardware is in poor condition, a complete LED fixture replacement may be a better long-term option.
Planning Checklist
| Planning Factor | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Existing HID wattage | Confirm whether the fixture currently uses 175W, 250W, 400W, 1000W, or another metal halide or HID lamp before selecting an LED kit. |
| Fixture type | Confirm whether the kit will be installed in a shoebox, wall pack, flood light, canopy fixture, indoor can, uplight fixture, or another HID housing. |
| Housing condition | Inspect the fixture body, lens, gasket, seals, reflector, socket, wiring, and mounting hardware. Do not retrofit damaged or unsafe housings. |
| Internal space | Confirm there is enough room for the LED light engine, driver, heat sink, wiring, and mounting hardware without crowding or overheating. |
| Mounting compatibility | Confirm the retrofit kit physically fits the existing fixture and includes compatible brackets or mounting hardware. |
| Voltage | Confirm site voltage and driver input range before ordering. Many kits support 100-277V, but voltage options vary by model. |
| Lumen output | Compare LED lumen output, fixture condition, mounting height, lens losses, and application needs instead of matching watts directly. |
| Beam distribution | Confirm whether the existing reflector, lens, or housing will produce the desired distribution after retrofit. Some applications need a purpose-built LED fixture. |
| Thermal management | Confirm the retrofit kit can dissipate heat properly inside the existing housing. Poor thermal conditions can shorten LED driver or module life. |
| Outdoor or wet-location rating | For outdoor applications, confirm the existing housing, lens, gasket, and seals still maintain the required wet-location or IP rating after retrofit. |
| Controls and dimming | Confirm whether dimming, sensors, timers, photocells, or control systems are needed. A complete fixture replacement may be better for advanced controls. |
| Code and certification requirements | Confirm UL, ETL, DLC, utility rebate, local code, and hazardous-location requirements before ordering or installing retrofit kits. |
Recommended Metal Halide LED Retrofit Starting Points
The table below provides common starting points for replacing metal halide fixtures with LED retrofit kits. Final selection should be based on fixture compatibility, desired lumen output, mounting height, beam distribution, environmental conditions, and product specifications.
| Existing HID Fixture | LED Retrofit Starting Point |
|---|---|
| 175W to 250W Metal Halide | 45 Watt LED Retrofit Kit producing 7,425 lumens for compatible lower-output HID fixtures. |
| 400W Metal Halide – General Fixture | 100 Watt LED Retrofit Kit producing 15,500 lumens or 120 Watt LED Retrofit Kit producing 18,600 lumens, depending on application and fixture compatibility. |
| 400W Metal Halide – Shoebox Fixture | 150 Watt 16″ Shoebox Retrofit Kit producing 24,750 lumens for compatible parking lot fixtures. |
| 1000W Metal Halide – Shoebox Fixture | 240 Watt 23″ Shoebox Retrofit Kit producing 39,600 lumens for compatible high-output parking lot fixtures. |
These are not universal replacements. A 400W metal halide fixture may require a different LED solution depending on fixture type, optics, pole height, application, target light level, and existing fixture condition.
LED Retrofit Kit vs Complete LED Fixture Replacement
Retrofit kits and complete LED fixtures can both be good options. The better choice depends on the existing housing, desired performance, installation constraints, and long-term maintenance goals.
| Option | Best Used When |
|---|---|
| LED Retrofit Kit | The existing fixture housing is in good condition, appearance should be preserved, mounting is compatible, and the required light output and distribution can be achieved inside the existing fixture. |
| Complete LED Fixture Replacement | The existing housing is damaged, corroded, poorly sealed, optically unsuitable, too small, structurally questionable, or lacks the controls, ratings, or distribution needed for the project. |
| Shoebox Retrofit Kit | The project involves compatible parking lot fixtures where the kit fits the existing housing and the site does not require a new LED shoebox fixture body. |
| Purpose-Built LED Fixture | The project needs new optics, full cutoff distribution, advanced controls, integrated sensors, improved weather sealing, new mounting, or verified fixture-level performance. |
Metal Halide Retrofit Project Examples
Retrofit projects are most successful when the existing fixture is evaluated before ordering. Housing condition, internal space, mounting compatibility, voltage, and desired output all affect the final result.
Metal halide LED retrofit kits can upgrade existing HID housings when the fixture is in good condition and the kit is compatible.
Shoebox retrofit kits can be a practical option for compatible parking lot fixtures where the existing housing and mounting remain suitable.
Certifications, Rebates, and Warranty Support
Metal halide LED retrofit kits from LED Lighting Supply carry safety listings such as UL or ETL, depending on the product. Many kits are DLC or DLC Premium listed, supporting utility rebate eligibility where applicable. Rebate requirements vary by utility, region, and product listing, so confirm eligibility on the selected product specification before ordering.
Most metal halide LED retrofit kits include a 5-year warranty unless otherwise specified, with USA-based warranty support. Before purchase, confirm certifications, DLC status, voltage, surge protection, driver location, thermal conditions, fixture compatibility, environmental exposure, controls compatibility, and whether the kit is right for the project.
Common Metal Halide LED Retrofit Mistakes
Retrofit projects go wrong when the kit is selected without checking the existing fixture housing, wiring, mounting, voltage, thermal conditions, and light distribution. These mistakes can cause poor performance, shortened service life, installation delays, or safety issues.
- Assuming every retrofit kit fits every fixture: Confirm housing size, mounting hardware, driver location, heat sink clearance, and internal space before ordering.
- Retrofitting damaged or corroded housings: If the fixture body, lens, gasket, socket, reflector, or wiring is unsafe, replace the entire fixture.
- Matching HID wattage without checking lumens: Compare LED lumen output, fixture optics, mounting height, and application needs instead of relying only on wattage replacement labels.
- Ignoring thermal management: LED modules and drivers need proper heat dissipation. Overcrowded or sealed housings can shorten component life if not compatible.
- Forgetting ballast bypass or wiring requirements: Retrofit kits often require electrical changes. Installation should be performed by a qualified electrician.
- Using retrofit kits where new optics are needed: Some applications need a purpose-built LED fixture for proper distribution, glare control, or uniformity.
- Assuming outdoor rating is automatic: The existing housing, lens, gasket, and seals must maintain the required wet-location or IP rating after retrofit.
- Overlooking controls compatibility: If dimming, sensors, timers, or advanced controls are required, confirm compatibility before ordering.
- Ignoring hazardous-location requirements: Standard retrofit kits should not be used in classified hazardous locations unless the complete installation meets the required certification.
- Skipping product specification review: Confirm voltage, certifications, lumen output, dimensions, driver location, and warranty terms on the selected model.
Contact us about your metal halide LED retrofit project and our Product Specialists can help review existing fixture type, HID wattage, housing condition, voltage, mounting compatibility, lumen output, and product specifications before you order.
Metal Halide to LED Conversion Kits FAQs
How Do I Know If A Metal Halide Fixture Can Be Retrofitted To LED?
A metal halide fixture can be retrofitted when its housing is in good condition and has compatible internal space, mounting, wiring, voltage, and thermal conditions for the selected LED kit. The lens, gasket, seals, reflector, and socket should also be inspected before ordering.
Should I Match An LED Retrofit Kit To My Existing Metal Halide Wattage?
No, HID wattage alone should not determine retrofit selection. Compare the required LED lumen output, fixture type, mounting height, beam distribution, voltage, fixture optics, and application needs before choosing a kit.
When Is A Complete LED Fixture Replacement Better Than A Retrofit Kit?
A complete LED fixture replacement is usually better when the existing housing is damaged, corroded, poorly sealed, too small, optically unsuitable, or unable to support the required controls, ratings, or distribution. A retrofit is best when the existing housing remains sound and can achieve the needed output and distribution with a compatible kit.
Can Metal Halide Retrofit Kits Be Used In Outdoor Fixtures?
They can be used outdoors only when the existing housing, lens, gasket, and seals maintain the required wet-location or IP rating after the retrofit. Confirm the selected kit and the complete fixture assembly are suitable for the environmental exposure.
What Should I Check Before Ordering A Metal Halide To LED Conversion Kit?
Confirm the existing fixture type, HID wattage, housing condition, internal space, mounting method, site voltage, lumen needs, beam distribution, thermal clearance, and controls requirements. Also verify the selected model specifications, certifications, environmental suitability, and warranty terms.
Are Metal Halide LED Retrofit Kits Eligible For Utility Rebates?
Many kits are DLC or DLC Premium listed, which can support utility rebate eligibility where applicable. Eligibility varies by utility, region, and product listing, so confirm the selected product specification before ordering.