Cheap LED lighting for shop?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: K3mHtH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 05:02:05 am
content: Hey guys,looking for some recommendations for pretty cheap LED lighting for a new shop space that I'm moving into. The shop is about 1000 sqft with ceiling height of about 14 feet.I was looking at installing four of these in the space (https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.2-feet-led-high-bay.1000827842.html) but figured I could come up with something similar for cheaper.I noticed there's a lot of people selling T8 LED bulbs on ebay. Seems like there's two types, correct me if I'm wrong - ones that expect mains voltage, and ones that expect the high voltage from a flourescent bulb ballast. Seems like that might be a cheaper way to go, especially if I can get old flourescent fixtures for free/cheap and don't need ballasts.I saw Dave's video of converting his shop to LED's, and so far I haven't heard any complaints.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 05:46:06 am
content: I put some of the ones with no ballast into a butchers coolroom, 2 x 4ft replacement fitting. The improvement was fantastic over and old 2 x 2ft traditional fitting.The butcher said laughingly "now I can see in here, I might have to clean this room up".I would get the ones without any ballast.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 05:54:41 am
content: I was in Home Depot yesterday and they had some 4' LED shop lights for under $50 that were around 3000 lumen and about the same size as a single tube 4' fluorescent fixture. I almost bought a couple.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 12:33:02 pm
content: I just added one of these to my workbench-http://www.homedepot.com/p/EnviroLite-4-ft-6-T8-LED-High-Bay-Light-with-2000-Lumens-LED-Tubes-EVHBA6T2050/206437856There is no comparison to the the 6 bulbs of T8 fluorescent light on the other half. I will be replacing the fluorescents with another one.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 04:40:22 pm
content: How is it for RFI? Do you notice any radio noise coming from it?

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 02:36:34 am
content: Quote from: cdev on January 28, 2016, 04:40:22 pmTo tell you the truth, I have no idea. It sits on my workbench and when I am not sitting there it is off. My ham shack is at a different desk so I haven't bothered to check. It will never be on while playing ham radio unless I go gaga for LED. Then, I will check for RFI.

author: K3mHtH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 03:31:05 am
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on January 28, 2016, 12:33:02 pmHi GreyWoolfe, that unit looks like a really nice deal. I notice the same company makes some 2-bulb fixtures that might help me spread the light around more evenly. I've been told that "high bay" lights are for at least 18 foot high ceilings, which I don't have - so I don't want to have "hot spots". Can you comment on the dispersion of that 6 bulb unit you got?

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 03:40:54 am
content: For a while people in the US were getting some for a ridiculously low price at Costco. Is there a Canadian equivalent? I missed out - I wanted to change out the ones in my garage, and in particular take out the twin 100 watt incandescent bulbs in my garage door opening and use one of those screw in adapters to hook one of these lights up - it would both be brighter AND use less power. So I might actually be able to make my way fromt he car intot he house without having to turn on the other lights in the garage as well.Never ending life of a homeowner - too many projects.

author: thejoggingmat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 10:02:18 am
content: I have a vested interest in finding this out, too.Moving to a new apartment in the fullness of time, so will be bound to having my 'workshop' done from scratch (albeit a low budget one).Ideally I would like to have around 3-4000lm concentrated on a long table (around 6x2.5ft), so I can see with ease whatever I'm working on, or studying for exams. A T8 based setup springs to mind.3-4000lm on such a small area might seem rather extreme, however this is coming from a lad that finds an 80sqft room lit at 2000lm (measured) not bright enough.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2016, 01:28:06 pm
content: Yes, I will be keeping an eye on things, as I am planning to implement LED lights when I redo my basement. Most of the space will be taken up by a large model railroad layout - for that I intend to light it using LED tape lights, both plain white ones and an RGB strip as well, for which I will build a PWM controller so I can simulate dawn/dusk and night - the one reel I purchased comes with a controller nad remote but it is too limited, only 16 steps per color and the transistions are VERY noticeable I need higher resolution. But in the aisle way areas I will need bright lights to light up the area for construction and safe passage when not running the trains. Currently it is a standard drop ceiling with 2x4 tiles and some flush fluorescent fixtures. I've already replaced nearly every light in the upstairs of my house with LEDs, so I want to do the same in the basement.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2016, 05:24:31 am
content: Quote from: K3mHtH on January 29, 2016, 03:31:05 am18 feet? My light is 39" above my workbench. There are no hot spots, the light is clean and even on the desk and it is about as bright as the sun at high noon in the middle of summer! I can quantify this as I have no lux meter, just using my eyes. I was practicing smt soldering with a cheepy kit and didn't need my lighted magnifier, only my headset magnifier. I will admit that it is almost painful to look up at whilst sitting in my task chair but it certainly gives all the light that I can want. When I first installed the fluorescent light fixtures, they had 4000K bulbs. I decided that I didn't like that and changed them out for 6000K daylight deluxe. The LED fixture is 4500K I believe, and the quality of light is much better than the 6000K. I am looking forward to getting another fixture for the other half of the desk.These lights aren't available in store, at least not here. However, the 2 boxes (1 for the fixture and 1 for the bulbs) came with return labels. I'm guessing they aren't returnable to the store. I know I won't be returning it. The best suggestion from me would be to buy one and give it a try. I think you will be very satisfied with it.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2016, 05:46:34 am
content: I have one of thesehttp://www.lowes.com/pd_595731-43921-MXL2006-LED2X24K840_1z11owhZ1z11964__?productId=999911231&pl=1in my garage and am so pleased with it i plan on replacing the other fixtures with them. good crisp light. good color rendering. great for just general broadcast light.