Upgrade Old PAR Cans in Just Two Days

From Halogen to LED in One Weekend

With the holidays approaching quickly, they’re bringing a busy season full of concerts, pageants, and worship services. It’s the time when lighting can turn something from “nice” to “wow,” making everything feel even more special.

Using a small volunteer crew and the Lotus LED Lamp, you can completely retrofit your old PAR cans in just one weekend. It’s fast, safe, and surprisingly fun… The kind of project that leaves your team saying, “Wait, that’s it?”

Here’s a step-by-step guide to executing a professional, broadcast-quality lighting upgrade before the holidays arrive.

Step One: Plan the Perfect Lighting Weekend

Every great project begins with good planning. Choose a free weekend between services or rehearsals. Gather supplies like Lotus Lamps for PAR cans, GX16D adapters, ladders, painter’s tape, and helpers.

Before anyone touches a fixture, power everything down. Old halogen PAR cans tend to run hot, so allow them time to cool completely. Once they’re safe to handle, divide the team into roles: one person on the ladder, another on the ground, handing up tools and lamps, and someone keeping track of which fixtures have been completed.

A few minutes of coordination can make a big difference here.

Step Two: Out with the Old, In with the LED

Start by opening the rear panel or front ring of each PAR can. Inside, you’ll find the old sealed-beam halogen bulb connected to a two-prong GX16D socket. Carefully unplug that bulb and set it aside for disposal.

Grab your new Lotus LED Lamp. Each one comes with a GX16D adapter that plugs directly into the same socket. Attach the adapter to the Lotus Lamp, plug it into the can’s connector, and gently slide the lamp into position. Close the fixture and lock it in place.

You’ve just changed a power-hungry, heat-generating halogen fixture into an efficient, cool-running LED system. If you’re working in pairs, you can easily knock out a dozen or more lights in an hour.

Step Three: Label Like a Pro

Once each light is upgraded, take a moment to label it. Use painter’s tape or a label maker to mark the wattage and color temperature (CCT) of the new lamp.

Something as simple as “LED 60W 3000K” or “LED 100W 5000K” on the back of the can saves confusion later. If you’re mixing warm and cool tones (say, warm 3000K for the audience and crisp 5000K for the stage), clear labeling helps everyone know which fixture does what.

Step Four: Aim, Focus, and Fine-Tune

Once everything’s installed and labeled, power the system back on. This is where the Lotus Lamp really shines… literally.

Have one person at the lighting console while others walk the room. Turn on the fixtures one at a time and aim each light for maximum coverage. The Lotus series offers multiple beam angles, so you can choose between a tight, dramatic spotlight or a wide, even wash.

To avoid harsh shadows, start with lights aimed at a roughly 45-degree angle toward the stage. For wider coverage, adjust slightly higher. Tighten the yoke knobs once the beam hits the right area.

Take time to balance your lighting between key zones like stage front, backdrop, and audience fill. The goal is smooth, even illumination.

And since these lamps are multi-CCT, experiment with the color temperature too. Warm 3000K brings that classic candlelight glow; neutral 4000K offers balance for worship services; cool 5000K delivers sharp clarity for cameras and livestreams.

Step Five: Test for Broadcast Brilliance

Set up a camera or check your existing broadcast feed to make sure the new LEDs look flawless on screen. The Lotus Lamp’s CRI above 90 ensures true-to-life color. You’ll notice immediately how natural everything looks. Dimming is smooth and silent, with no flicker, hum, or delay.

Do a few test fades from full brightness to blackout. Walk the room and view the lighting from the audience perspective, too. Adjust angles or dimmer levels until everything looks balanced.

If mixing warm and cool lamps, check the camera color balance. You might choose warmer for Christmas or cooler for New Year’s.

Step Six: Wrap Up and Celebrate the Upgrade

By Sunday evening, your lighting rig will look new, the air cooler, the stage will be more professional, and volunteers will feel like lighting pros.

Lotus Lamps are rated for 50,000+ hours of life, which means years of worry-free performance. They draw just a fraction of the power of your old bulbs, so you’ll notice immediate savings on your electric bill.

Ready To Start Retrofitting?

Your lighting doesn’t need a full overhaul to appear modern, efficient, and broadcast-ready. It just requires a few dedicated hands and the right lamps. So gather your volunteers, pick up some Lotus Lamps, and make this weekend your Retrofit Weekend.

You’ll head into the holidays with a lighting system that looks better, stays cooler, and performs perfectly.

Order yours now and give your venue the upgrade it deserves!