Lighting for the pole barn

[pinetree10]

What do y'all consider is cold? Like 40-50? That seems to be our lows in the winter but don't know if that will require the cold start feature?

Brett

Once the temperatures get into the 30s the cheap fixtures will start to perform poorly and it gets progressively worse as the mercury heads downward. That's what pushed me to spend the money for the high output T12 fixtures in my unheated garage about 10 years ago. They hum a bit (which doesn't bother me) and I'm told they use a lot of juice compared to the new T8s but they don't care how cold it is. They always start quickly and light the place up. When I bought my T8 fixtures for my detached garage recently the supply house guy told me the government is phasing out the T12s in favor of the new energy-efficient T8s, which use electronic ballasts and consume less power. I hope they are as dependable as the T12 lights in my attached garage because they have been no trouble for a long time.

 

[BigE_]

I replaced my T12 with T8 and really like the T8 bulbs. They are brighter and don't hum. Plus they use less power. I kept my old fixtures and just bought new ballasts off Amazon. They were about $17 each as I recall.

 

[schmism]

I have highbay metal halide in mine. 500w each i have 2. i have some 4' T12 for over benches and things, most of the time thats all i need. but when i need task lighting ill fire up the artificial suns

NOTE my highbay lights are like 20' up in the rafters of my old barn. they are high enough to take advantage of the "high bay" designs.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Sure you can find them cheaper, but, they have LED T8's.. : 18W LED T8 Tube - 4ft. Lifetime

 

[kevinwak]

What do y'all consider is cold? Like 40-50? That seems to be our lows in the winter but don't know if that will require the cold start feature?

Brett

It is normal to have -40 for at least a week each winter. The LED fixture I have on order is rated to operate at -40!

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[grsthegreat]

Regular T12 are due to stop production very soon. The high-output T12 are not on the schedule to stop production..mainly cause there deep colt use fixtures. There is a new electronic ballast available for older T12 HO fixtures. Personally i love my T12 HO's and ive stockpiled a few boxes of lamps and some ballasts in the shop. The light output in a cold shop is amazing compared to anything else ive installed.

I have a heater in the shop, but dont use it unless i plan on being in there for a few hours. As for power useage. The newer T5 HO 4 lamp lights use the same 240 watts of power as the old T12HO's. The new T5HO's work best at a height of 20 feet above finish floor, the T12HO at 10 feet. If i had a real tall shop, i guess id use the T5's, but i dont.

The 8 foot T8, 32 watt per lamp fixtures do a good job, but i have noticed alot of diminished light output when its real cold out.

 

[5picker]

:listen:These, SYLVANIA 29508 - 65 Watt - CFL , were recommended to me by a co-worker. Anyone have any experience with them? :listen:

Not those exact ones but I DO have six of these in my (unheated for the most part) pole building/garage.
I originally had them mounted vertically in ordinary screw in fixtures but recently built some metal reflectors, painted them white and mounted the bulbs horizontally.
They are great and light up the inside like a prison on escape watch.

I even retrofitted my outside pole light to accept one of these and I'm impressed with the amount of area brightness.
Temps here often zero and and below never a problem starting. They're rated for zero.
Eiko 81184 - 105 Watt - CFL

 

[Iowachild]

Not those exact ones but I DO have six of these in my (unheated for the most part) pole building/garage.
I originally had them mounted vertically in ordinary screw in fixtures but recently built some metal reflectors, painted them white and mounted the bulbs horizontally.
They are great and light up the inside like a prison on escape watch.

I even retrofitted my outside pole light to accept one of these and I'm impressed with the amount of area brightness.
Temps here often zero and and below never a problem starting. They're rated for zero.
Eiko 81184 - 105 Watt - CFL

Thanks 5Picker,

I did obtain one of the 65 w CFL bulbs to try out. So far I only have one working light fixture in my building and I have yet to be there after dark since I got the fixture wired. With the beautiful weather we have been having I hate to be stuck working inside! Once I do see the light after dark I decide if I want more or if I will go for the higher wattage bulbs.

 

[kevinwak]

I just installed a 30W Cooper LED wall pack light on the front of my pole shed. It is incredibly bright. I think it will be even better once I finish the wall and install the overhead door. Then there will be something for the light to reflect off of!

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[GManBart]

I have highbay metal halide in mine. 500w each i have 2. i have some 4' T12 for over benches and things, most of the time thats all i need. but when i need task lighting ill fire up the artificial suns

NOTE my highbay lights are like 20' up in the rafters of my old barn. they are high enough to take advantage of the "high bay" designs.

I'm looking at lighting for my new pole barn (40x64) and have seen similar lights on CL pretty reasonably priced. How much area are you lighting with the two you have?