LED Garage Lights

[oldpilgrim]

With the lights I got, they are instant starting and even at -9F, I saw no observable drop in light output.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Crappy picture but, shows difference between the Costco light (upper) and the Sam's Club lights.





I bought one of each for comparison. I plan to put both on top of a couple of ladders, this weekend, to compare light at floor of shop. For now, I believe I prefer the Sam's light better due to higher color temperature i.e. brighter white light.

 

[Gunny]

Sodo, would you mind taking an AM radio and perhaps tune in between stations and start up one of these lights nearby. Or tune to a weak but readable station and repeat the experiment. I would like to know how much if any detectable Radio Frequency Interference that they put out. If you have a shortwave radio reciever nearby, (3 to 30 Mhz) that would be great to test with too. Thanking you in advance..

Every Cree bulb I have tested, does not seem to have any RFI.

I've two of the Feit LED fixtures in the woodworking shop and two that I got from HomeDepot in the garage. I only listen to AM radio, different stations across the band and even at 8 degrees Fahrenheit, I've yet to notice any RFI with either. One station on the low end of the band, 550, is a pretty weak signal, but the lights don't interfere with it at all.
I can walk into either shop, turn on the lights, turn on the radio, then listen to the radio while I'm building a fire to warm things up.

 

[LD1]

View attachment 457583
LED tube vs flourescent tube.

Is that a T8 LED vs T12 Fluorescent? or a T5 LED vs a T8 Fluorescent?

I can see there is a big difference between T8-and T12 fluorescent.

Still cannot get over the lumens per watt of LED vs T8 fluorescent. Dont think there is much to gain going from T8-high output fluorescent with mirror reflector to a LED's

 

[dragoneggs]

Sodo, would you mind taking an AM radio and perhaps tune in between stations and start up one of these lights nearby. Or tune to a weak but readable station and repeat the experiment. I would like to know how much if any detectable Radio Frequency Interference that they put out. If you have a shortwave radio reciever nearby, (3 to 30 Mhz) that would be great to test with too. Thanking you in advance..

Every Cree bulb I have tested, does not seem to have any RFI.

James, I installed six of these costco LED fixtures in my shop and they are not affected by my AM radio. And I can tell you my old LED aquarium lights were badly affected. So I think these are pretty dang good as far as interference... at least in my shop. I even plugged one of them in to the same outlet not just circuit so the radio is close.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Is that a T8 LED vs T12 Fluorescent? or a T5 LED vs a T8 Fluorescent?

I can see there is a big difference between T8-and T12 fluorescent.

Still cannot get over the lumens per watt of LED vs T8 fluorescent. Dont think there is much to gain going from T8-high output fluorescent with mirror reflector to a LED's

In my case, the big gain is not having to replace fluorescent tubes. My main lights, in workshop, are 8' T-12 fixtures, hung on chains 16' above the floor. 5 fixtures with 2 tubes per fixture. In 10 years I've always had at least one tube out and that pretty much shuts down entire fixture.

I'm looking at some 96" fixtures with four 48" LED tubes per fixture.

96 Watt 8 ft Commercial Flush Mount Light Fixture with 4X 24W LED T8 6500K | eBay

 

[dragoneggs]

Costco has the 4foot 2-tube LED shop lights now for $24.99. I bought 7 of them. VERY happy with their performance. They have a plugin and a pull-chain switch. They must be about 50% brighter than 4-ft Fluorescent tubes.

I've been using one (2 tubes) under my truck, on the ground, you sure can see every little part looking up. And no shadows. And the 'tubes' are plastic so if something falls on it....well I can't say how strong it is ....... but it's plastic.

Sodo, note that there is a thin sheet of peel-able clear plastic film on each bulb. I realized this on the second set I bought and peeled it off. Brightens it up some more! I measured the lumens using an iPhone app. Curious though as there are no instructions or clues whether you are supposed to remove it. I thought it might be a shatter resistant covering but I'm not sure.

 

[dragoneggs]

I will say again... I highly recommend the Costco LEDs with fixtures! $25 a piece now. In the store they are half the price of Costco online.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I bought some of mine when they were $38 each, without a switch. $25 right now.

 

[newbury]

In my case, the big gain is not having to replace fluorescent tubes. My main lights, in workshop, are 8' T-12 fixtures, hung on chains 16' above the floor. 5 fixtures with 2 tubes per fixture. In 10 years I've always had at least one tube out and that pretty much shuts down entire fixture.

I'm looking at some 96" fixtures with four 48" LED tubes per fixture.

96 Watt 8 ft Commercial Flush Mount Light Fixture with 4X 24W LED T8 6500K | eBay

Hyperikon (and I'm sure others) sells 8' LED replacement tubes. I'm pretty sure there are varieties where you use the old ballast and others where you don't.

I will say again... I highly recommend the Costco LEDs with fixtures! $25 a piece now. In the store they are half the price of Costco online.

The problem I have with the COSTCO LED's from the B&M is the extra cost of the add on's. Last time I also bought 2 bags of walnuts, 2 large plastic totes, and a bag of pecans. AND I WAS BY MYSELF! If SWMBO had been along it would have cost at least $200 more, mainly in groceries.