LED shop lights

[dragoneggs]

I would love to have an insulated, heated shop (other than a small-ish woodstove), but can't really justify the expense on something I don't use that much in the winter (A/C not needed here). Still, what I have now is waay better than what I had at my last house.

For me, the biggest reason I installed a heater in my shop this spring is for my tools (condensation). That was a big problem. I set the thermostat to 50degF and turn it up only when I am out there for a decent amount of time. I am looking forward to working out there this winter in short sleeves. :cool2:

 

[grsthegreat]

I turn my heat on about 15 minutes prior to working in shop in winter, other than that its left off. I never know when i will be working out there, and our winters are pretty dang cold.

 

[ultrarunner]

For me, the biggest reason I installed a heater in my shop this spring is for my tools (condensation). That was a big problem. I set the thermostat to 50degF and turn it up only when I am out there for a decent amount of time. I am looking forward to working out there this winter in short sleeves. :cool2:

Condensation is something I failed to take into account and my collector car has suffered in Olympia...

It may end up being a deal breaker primarily due to mold in the shop... never a problem in the home.

 

[ovrszd]

Periodic use versus continuous use changes everything.

 

[Popgadget]

For comments like these your location would be greatly appreciated.

Southeast PA, about 40 degrees north latitude.

 

[ctgoldwing]

That is what I did with the Hyperikon bulbs and bypassed the ballasts. Not a single LED has went out, and the ones in the garage are about 2 years old and are used a lot.
They are also RFI clean. About 10 minutes to install and bypass and throw away the ballast.

Hyperikon 4 Foot LED Tube, T8 T1 T12 4 Watt Replacement (18W), Single End Ballast Bypass, Clear Lens, UL, DLC, Crystal White, 4 Pack - - Amazon.com

I did exactly the same thing in my basement workshop. A couple of years ago I replaced 12 4-tube 4' fixtures with these bulbs.
Not a single failure and as they are right next to my ham radio station, no rfi interfetence.

 

[HAR]

I bought the v-shaped 4' LED's from Amazon, and replaced all in my basement and garage. In the garage, the first thing I noticed wast the instant on vs old CFL slow dim starts. Second nice thing, is when and as the weather is cold. the instant on full bright is a major plus. It will be interesting to see what if any change there is in electric bill. Sure wish LED's had been around years ago.

 

[k0ua]

I did exactly the same thing in my basement workshop. A couple of years ago I replaced 12 4-tube 4' fixtures with these bulbs.
Not a single failure and as they are right next to my ham radio station, no rfi interfetence.

Yep, first thing I do with anything electrical that comes into the home is start checking the spectrum scope from "DC to Daylight" to see if I can hear anything emitted by the devices(s). I was pleasantly surprised to find nothing out of these tubes in the RF spectrum. Lots of light output though.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yep, first thing I do with anything electrical that comes into the home is start checking the spectrum scope from "DC to Daylight" to see if I can hear anything emitted by the devices(s). I was pleasantly surprised to find nothing out of these tubes in the RF spectrum. Lots of light output though.

Why does this behavior not surprise me? :laughing:

 

[Cougsfan]

I just had a new 40' x 40' by 14' eave shop built. I had 4 of these LED Fixtures installed (LED High Bay - 15W - 21,75 Lumens - Hook Mount - Tempered Glass - UF – Green Light Depot) to light a 40X30 segment of the shop. They lit the area up just fine but I replaced them immediately. It felt as if there were 4 people constantly arc welding in the ceiling area! The extreme glare from the fixtures was always there in my peripheral vision. Oddly enough a carpenter working there didn't notice the glare. We discovered why. He was wearing a baseball hat and I wasn't. When I put a hat on the glare went away. When he took his hat off he immediately noticed the glare.
I replaced them with 12 florescent style LED's (each with dual 4 foot led bulbs) Even though the total lumens has been slightly reduced, the new ones are so much better! Also the shadows created by the new setup is significantly reduced.

 

[goeduck]

Condensation is something I failed to take into account and my collector car has suffered in Olympia...

It may end up being a deal breaker primarily due to mold in the shop... never a problem in the home.

My shop has no heat, no condensation and no mold. I have not spent a lot of time thinking about it, but it does get full sun and is painted dark brown.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm painted brown but does not get full sun...

Never noticed a problem until I parked a car with leather interior in the shop...

On my next visit I found mold on the leather seats... a first for me.

 

[dragoneggs]

My shop has no heat, no condensation and no mold. I have not spent a lot of time thinking about it, but it does get full sun and is painted dark brown.

My biggest problem with condensation was when I tried heating it up from ambient, when the outside temp was cold. Anything in my tool boxes would sweat badly and my stationary tools would slowly develop light rust. Even with cleaning and waxing occasionally. Now that I have installed heat/thermostat. I will keep experiment keeping the shop heated about 50deg.

 

[5030]

Just replaced 2 more of the crap Menards LED shop light fixtures with T8 6500 K fixtures. Had 2 more puke last week. Never again. As the puke they get canned. Obviously not quality SMD's.

 

[grsthegreat]

Just replaced 2 more of the crap Menards LED shop light fixtures with T8 6500 K fixtures. Had 2 more puke last week. Never again. As the puke they get canned. Obviously not quality SMD's.

i personally find the 6500k too blue for my eyes. I stick in the 5000k for shop. I still have a case of t8 6500 lamps though. Left over from a paint booth relighting job i did.

 

[ultrarunner]

3500k is the Hospital standard with a few areas 3000k and high CRI... it makes for a warm and calming space.

Years ago I was on vacation and some 5000k bulbs were installed... the difference was extreme and both the Chief of Staff and CEO had lighting my first priority upon my return.

 

[GeneV]

My biggest problem with condensation was when I tried heating it up from ambient, when the outside temp was cold. Anything in my tool boxes would sweat badly and my stationary tools would slowly develop light rust. Even with cleaning and waxing occasionally. Now that I have installed heat/thermostat. I will keep experiment keeping the shop heated about 50deg.

I run a dehumidifier in my shop, I set it at 50%. It fills up.

 

[grsthegreat]

weird. ive never had humidity issues either in house or heated shop.

 

[GeneV]

weird. ive never had humidity issues either in house or heated shop.

I only get the humidity in the summertime.

 

[lostcreekranch]

weird. ive never had humidity issues either in house or heated shop.

Butch outlawed humidity .. when he was your Governor.