Bench lighting recomendations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SuperFungus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 02:25:04 am
content: I recently set up a new shelf and risers for my makeshift home bench. I want to set up some lighting under it to illuminate the benchtop work space.Does the EEVblog crowd have any favorite lighting options for a bench? Amazon has a seemingly infinite variety of available options, but many of the nicer ones seem to be battery operated which I don't prefer. Dimmable and color temperature adjust-ability would be nice.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 03:09:59 am
content: I bought 2 of these and I'm very happy with the light.https://www.feit.com/products/2-ft-19w-cool-white-4000k-dual-led-utility-light-73987Here is a photo of how they look:They're stuck under the top bench, pretty much in the middle of each side (I have a support running front to back in the middle of the top).TonyG

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 07:43:29 am
content: "I'm also looking for bench lighting, but I wonder how these LED options might affect measurements in terms of interference. I'm a bit hesitant to attach them right under the shelf where I keep all my TE.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 08:26:39 am
content: General bench lighting is useful, but consider having one light on a long gooseneck.Benefit: can move to light equipment interiors and/or avoid reflections.

author: SuperFungus
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 11:54:59 pm
content: I'm still looking, but thanks for the input!

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 11:29:26 am
content: I bought a USB powered LED strip light kit which has a wireless remote which also adjusts the color temperature.I also have a pair of LANCOSC magnifier lights.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 11:53:47 am
content: Aluminium U profile plus LED strip of your choice.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 07:52:45 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 29, 2024, 08:26:39 amGreat recommendation - That magnifying glass on the arm there has a ring light on it so I can move it around if I need more light - Plus it helps my old man eyes actually see things better...It isn't in the photo I attached but I also have one of those magnetic gooseneck LED lights that I stick to the racks to provide more light on the fronts of the instruments - Useful for me again.TonyG

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 09:00:27 pm
content: It is very personal, but I've never liked the ring magnifiers.OTOH the cheap head mounted magnifying visors suit me perfectly. Several different magnifications, plus they work with spectacles.I also have binocular microscopes, but rarely use them.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2024, 01:35:25 am
content: When I do not need the lens in my ring magnifier, I use it as a desk lamp.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2024, 09:19:39 am
content: Quote from: pope on September 29, 2024, 07:43:29 amThere's several threads on here that go into issue this in some detail, e.g.hereandhere. The best solution seems to be an LED strip without active components run from a linear power supply.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2024, 05:54:05 am
content: Original vintage Luxo lamps with LED filament bulbs.Like the dual incandescenmt/circle fluro as larger reflector.Not the base but the clamp to benchtop styleWe have 10 of them,Jon

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2024, 10:10:47 am
content: I prefer large, diffused light sources instead of small spotlights. Small spotlights are visible as reflected images on shiny surfaces like PCBs, making good PCB photos impossible and visibility of small parts for soldering intermittant.LED strips pointed at white ceilings (or shelves above workbenches in my case) work much better. Big diffuse lights (like what they use in ceiling panels) would also work if you try and cover all surface above your bench with them, but they cost more

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2024, 12:14:03 pm
content: Quote from: Whales on October 08, 2024, 10:10:47 amDiffused sources cause diffused reflections in all directions. Sometimes it is preferable to have strong reflections in other directions.The same principle is used in the anti-glint shape of the F117 stealth fighter.Hence I like both spotlights and diffuse lights, for different reasons.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2024, 02:31:13 am
content: If you haven't considered it, then you could use strip or cob led lighting but use alternate power sources or even lighting for precision measurements. That way best of both worlds without sacrificing ideal lighting the rest of the time.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2024, 12:49:51 pm
content: I'm interested in uniform and smooth lighting. So I spent about aud$40 all up to hang this high CRI ceiling panel lighting 60cm from the desk surface and in front of my working position to prevent my head from making shadow. It is super bright, best money and time ever spent.It's wide, big, cover the whole desk area, some what universal and best of all lots of temperature choices. I never worry about it being outdated or need to find the right bulb. These panels are stupid affordable and commonly use in office buildings and many of these makes a good high tech batman cave.Of course it collects dust, but cleaning is optional.https://www.ledvance.com/professional/products/luminaires/professional-luminaires/panel-luminaires/mounting-accessories-for-panel-luminaires/suspension-kit-for-panel-luminaires-c8627?productId=138302

author: iJoseph2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2024, 01:30:37 pm
content: I've bought three of these for around the house ..https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285784010288.. so if i ever need more than one I can borrow one from another room.Powered from 5v USB power supply. I'm guessing it can be powered from a power bank too but I've never needed to do that.Inside it has one strip of warm white, one strip of cold white, and the third setting is both on at the same time. Then there's a setting to control the brightness.It's possibly a little too dim but I just swing the arm closer to what I'm looking at.I've also used it to inspect the tip of a turntable stylus by taping a usb microscope onto the light (to provide good ambient lighting).It's not the best of lights but is workable. I like the fact the power supply is separate as it gives options if a part fails.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2024, 02:34:00 am
content: Quote from: nukie on October 12, 2024, 12:49:51 pmDo you have a link to that specific panel and a photo with the main lights out? What do you drive it with and does it have adjustment?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2024, 06:14:38 pm
content: Quote from: nukie on October 12, 2024, 12:49:51 pmWhich exact panel did you buy? I have been looking at LED panels myself but never found a model with particulary high CRI. At the moment I'm using Philips CFLs with CRI > 95.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2025, 10:46:05 pm
content: Hi, I was walking in a LED lighting shop one day and found this panel on special clearance lying on the floor. It does say High CRI on the packaging but I'm unsure what's the exact spec. It's a standard 24W office panel. I use a standard 24w, 30-40V non-adjustable LED driver that came with it. I have seen some of the dimmable ones at the shop.Quote from: nctnico on October 20, 2024, 06:14:38 pmIf you made it from your lottery investment then I suggest thisCRI99desk lamphttps://store.yujiintl.com/products/normlite-iso-compliant-standard-light-source-full-spectrum-cri-99-professional-2700k-6500k-task-lampYuji makes some very nice CRI98 ceiling panels but I don't think I can ever afford ithttps://store.yujiintl.com/products/skyline-cri-98-72w-30120-rooflight-ceiling-light-2700k-6500k?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=d17d351ee&pr_rec_pid=8234586407169&pr_ref_pid=8024098832641&pr_seq=uniformGoogle "high CRI LED office panel" there are plenty of them hopefully the same for your region. For me there is no looking back or forward this is the best smooth uniform lightning. No focusing optics, glare free, just smooth flood light, no harsh or high low spots.