LED shop lights

[5030]

Which T8's are you referring to florescent tubes or LED tubes?

I'm referring to the integrated LED fixtures, not the refit to LED fixtures.

 

[dragoneggs]

The build quality of SMD's (LED arrays) varies greatly depending on who builds them across the pond. Don't much care what the brand is because the brand don't denote who actually produced the SMD's.

The reason I brought up brand is because Costco is extremely careful about bringing in sub quality merchandise. And the fact that they have been carrying it for a long time tells me something.

 

[BukitCase]

I have 44 of the Costco/Feit lamps so far, in 3 different areas + a couple in each of 5 containers - some have been in service for about 5 years, others less than 2. To date, I've lost both tubes in one fixture and one in another - both are in a tarped area, both show signs of having gotten dripped on. From this I would surmise that they are IP-zip; my response is NOT to use 'em where they'll get wet.

Costco puts 'em on sale every so often for around $15, when they do I grab a few. ATM, my "stash" is down to less than a half dozen, so next time I see 'em on sale I'll grab a few more.

In containers, lighting without making any holes is easy - I buy these
1 Pack of Super Strong Neodymium Fishing Magnets, Pulling Force Rare Earth Magnet with Countersunk Hole Eyebolt Diameter 1.26 INCH(32mm) for Retrieving in River and Magnetic Fishing: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Plenty strong pull to support lamps, switches, power strips, etc - a short ladder or stool, some tie wraps, 2 magnets - tie wrap the magnets to the hanger slots on the lamp, up on the stool, hold one end up by the roof til it grabs, do the other end, few more magnets/tie wraps if you care about cord droop - same mount for a power strip by the door. Keep an extension cord just outside the container - open the door, plug in the power strip. Works pretty good til I find more "tuits"... Steve

 

[grsthegreat]

As a rule, I prefer not to patronize Amazon for anything because of who owns it and... If the seller don't say what SMD's are used, you can bet they aren't CREE. Interestingly, even Harbor Freight's 'Roadshock' series of lights and bar lights are all CREE SMD's and HF states that in their ad blurbs. I think the trade name 'Roadshock' sounds kind of stupid but I didn't dream it up.

Electricity use, LED versus fluorescent in my shop is inconsequential. My machine tools and welders pull a heck of a lot more power and are usually running every day.

The last 2 things i purchased from harbor freight were a batteryless flashlight that you shook for light. When it stopped working i opened it up and there were 3 button batteries. The copper coil was fake and a plane metal bolt moved back and forth simulating a charger. The last thing i purchased were some GFCI outlets for a temp power box. When they would not trip with my testing unit, i opened one up. There were no electronics inside. Both of these happened maybe 7-8 years ago, and i never went back. I wonder if their CREE leds are really KREE.

 

[Oaktree]

Electricity use, LED versus fluorescent in my shop is inconsequential. My machine tools and welders pull a heck of a lot more power and are usually running every day.

I went with LEDs in my shop, not so much for the minimal energy savings with respect to flourescents, but because they work in cold temperatures. My shop isn't continuously heated.

I have no beef with Bezos, I can think of CEOs I like way less.

 

[5030]

it's CREE btw and yes they are. Buddy bought a light bar and we dissected it prior to use and the SMD's are marked CREE. Kind of surprised me.

I get almost all my SMD's from SuperBrightLED.com fast shipping and everything thy offer has the tech drawings on the website and plainly spells out who made the LED devices.

HF stuff in general has improved greatly over the last 5 years or so and the prices have increased as well. I like and buy the Icon tools, Snap-On quality but not at Snap-On prices.

 

[5030]

I went with LEDs in my shop, not so much for the minimal energy savings with respect to flourescents, but because they work in cold temperatures. My shop isn't continuously heated.

I have no beef with Bezos, I can think of CEOs I like way less.

I don't respect his politics but that isn't germane to this discussion do I'll leave it at that. Been getting some stuff from Bangood. It's 100% Chinese and they make no bones about it,

 

[Oldpath05]

Oh yeah good point cold weather lighting, that where LEDs shine, I definitely need cold weather lights. I remember fluorescent's not so good when cold......

 

[5030]

Don't matter to me, my shop is climate controlled.

 

[ovrszd]

Don't matter to me, my shop is climate controlled.

My shop has an excellent heat system. But no AC. My HVAC guy is working up a quote to change that.

 

[grsthegreat]

My shop has an excellent heat system. But no AC. My HVAC guy is working up a quote to change that.

i have heat in my shop also, but if i tried to add AC i think the wife would send me packing.

 

[ovrszd]

i have heat in my shop also, but if i tried to add AC i think the wife would send me packing.

Yeah, it's real hard to "sell" that plan in a hobby shop.

 

[dragoneggs]

i have heat in my shop also, but if i tried to add AC i think the wife would send me packing.

I still need to blow in attic insulation now that I have new 45KW propane powered sealed combustion heater and a dedicated 125gal tank added to my shop this spring.

Still working up the guts to ask my wife to assist me with the DIY insulation job. "Honey would you please cut and load these bags into the machine while I operate the hose?"

 

[ultrarunner]

I still need to blow in attic insulation now that I have new 45KW propane powered sealed combustion heater and a dedicated 125gal tank added to my shop this spring.

Still working up the guts to ask my wife to assist me with the DIY insulation job. "Honey would you please cut and load these bags into the machine while I operate the hose?"

Good opportunity for bonding through a common goal ;-)

 

[ultrarunner]

Climate shop must get costly...

What kind of budget to keep comfortable?

My shop heat is bringing in the car after the drive home.

 

[Popgadget]

I had my shop insulated with urethane spray foam. I keep it heated and cooled with a heat pump with propane backup. Fortunately the propane only runs on rare occasions, like having overhead doors open in the dead of winter, or when it stays below 20 degrees out.
I can’t say enough good about the Urethane, it truly is worth the cost.

I replaced all of my fluorescent lamps (96 HO) with 96” LED’s from Amazon. I got the ones that let me remove the ballasts.

 

[ultrarunner]

Makes sense being well insulated...

 

[ovrszd]

Climate shop must get costly...

What kind of budget to keep comfortable?

My shop heat is bringing in the car after the drive home.

My shop and house suck propane out of the same tank so I can't give you an exact dollar amount.

In the last 12 months I used 1,050 gallons of propane at $1.25 per gallon totalling $1,312.50.

I would estimate 40% went to the shop. If so, it cost me $525 to heat my 1,900 square foot shop.

 

[ovrszd]

I had my shop insulated with urethane spray foam. I keep it heated and cooled with a heat pump with propane backup. Fortunately the propane only runs on rare occasions, like having overhead doors open in the dead of winter, or when it stays below 20 degrees out.
I can’t say enough good about the Urethane, it truly is worth the cost.

I replaced all of my fluorescent lamps (96 HO) with 96” LED’s from Amazon. I got the ones that let me remove the ballasts.

For comments like these your location would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Oaktree]

Makes sense being well insulated...

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.

Good opportunity for bonding through a common goal ;-)

Clearly, your experience with "we" projects is different than mine. :laughing: