LED Garage Lights

[schmism]

I just installed a LED 4' "shoplight" from sams. I thought how much brighter could it be than my old 4' T-12 lights.

HOLY COW! its like 2-3 times as much light as the old 2 bulb T-12 lights. But it was $40

 

[nikdfish]

I'll +1 the 4' LED shop lights. Replaced the old fluorescents in the basement shop on a "2 for 3" basis and still have more light. FWIW, Sams did have LED replacement bulbs at their web site that worked in the old fixtures and were selling for $25 a pair. Bought a half dozen for use in the kitchen and laundry. The 5000k color version put out a nice light.

Nick

 

[newbury]

Many of the LED lights run at a "cooler" light than the fluorescent. It would help if people spoke in lumens at a distance.

For example:

With one of the Feit lights about a foot below my 12' ceiling I measured 450 Lux at waist level.
With one of my old 8 foot tube dual 60 watt bulb fluorescent fixtures about 6 inches below the ceiling I measured 230 Lux at waist level.
With one of the tubes in my "deballasted" fixture about 6 inches below the ceiling I measured 420 Lux at waist level.
With TWO of the tubes in my "deballasted" fixture about 6 inches below the ceiling I measured 700 Lux at waist level.

And like I've written there are numerous free apps to measure light level with a smart phone.

Although the numbers may not be accurate they show the relatively brighter light.

 

[dragoneggs]

Just installed one Costco bought Feit 4ft LEDs. Advertised as 4000K, 3700lumen, 50,000hr. Flush mounted to ceiling next to hanging T-12s. Big difference! Besides being much brighter I like the flush mount giving me more room to wield around 8ft pieces of stuff. Going to swap out the others and flush mount them too. Someday I will mud and tape drywall ceiling and paint it white. Should really brighten things up! Oh and they don't give me any issue with RF inference with my old radio!

 

[k0ua]

Oh and they don't give me any issue with RF inference with my old radio!

Look good:thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

Oh and they don't give me any issue with RF inference with my old radio!

Look good:thumbsup:

Thanks James... I know, messy miscellaneous wall needs some attention. Now just waiting for my old kerosene heater to heat and dry up the shop a little before I install the rest. It's 28degF outside and dropping. My poor detached garage/shop and tools do not like this weather and dampness. I need to insulate my shop and figure a better heat source... oops... going off topic. I'll shut up now.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks James... I know, messy miscellaneous wall needs some attention. Now just waiting for my old kerosene heater to heat and dry up the shop a little before I install the rest. It's 28degF outside and dropping. My poor detached garage/shop and tools do not like this weather and dampness. I need to insulate my shop and figure a better heat source... oops... going off topic. I'll shut up now.

Do you have much sun exposure? Maybe one of those pop can solar heaters? Most have a small solar voltaic panel also to run a muffin fan to circulate the heat.. Course they don't work at night!

https://www.google.com/search?q=pop...5yYKHalwAmAQ_AUICSgD&biw=1483&bih=635&dpr=0.9

 

[dragoneggs]

Wow just downloaded a light meter app and the new LEDs measured 208 vs 53 for the two T12s! I will post the distance shortly. Running half the wattage too.

 

[dragoneggs]

Oops just realized there is some clear protective tape on each bulb. Since they were already installed in the fixture, I didn't notice. Removed that and the Lumens went up to 240 measured at 4ft distance.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay this thread got me motivated so I will share some of my install details... bear with me, it's a slow night. The better half is down with a cold and I am trying to clean the garage/shop so she can park her car inside. It's been awhile. Feeling guilty. Especially since we are now in the high 20s at night. :cold:

First, here is the tape to remove on the bulbs.



I like using larger pan headed screws so it meant opening up the holes for flush mounting. Got out the dremel and an aggressive bit.



Also made a simple jig to locate the matched holes. Just score a line on either end and you have a consistent length mark to locate the two screws. If you are going to mount more than one fixture you will like this approach. Sink the screws leaving a little gap for the thickness of the fixture and you pop them in and slide using their keyhole slots.



Got four installed... love them... headed to Costco very soon to get a couple more at least to finish off the far end of the garage. Big improvement! Significantly brighter than the old T-12s. I'm sold.