LED lights for garage/workshop?
I'm looking to re-do the garage lights, as I'll be doing some detailed woodwork and need to see what I'm doing - We currently have a set of the old fluorescent glass tube lights, only one of which works anyway.
I need a set of nice bright lights, preferably with a low power consumption.
I will want to ditch the old glass tube fittings, as most are rickety, knackered and going rusty, so entirely new light fitments rather than just bulb swaps.
Access to the mains wiring is pretty open and easy.
Cheap would be good...
I'm guessing I'll want to get LED lights?
What are the basic things I need to know and look for when shopping around for these things?
Cheers,
Tasky.
Re: LED lights for garage/workshop?
If you want to save the hassle of changing the fittings you can get tube fitting LED lights. Screwfix amongst others sell them.
Re: LED lights for garage/workshop?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
spacein_vader
If you want to save the hassle of changing the fittings
Sorry, no-go: I have only one fitting left that works, is not rusted, ricketty and busted. :(
I need the whole sha-bang...
Re: LED lights for garage/workshop?
You can get led tube fittings with the tube built in. They are fairly simple as there are no chokes, ballasts or starters required. Just wire them in.
I have bought from LED Hut in the past. Kit is OK, service good and prices keen.
Re: LED lights for garage/workshop?
I bought a high frequency flourescent tube setup from Wickes. Similar size and hence almost drop in replacement for old fitments but much brighter and electronic controller means no ballast so instant start.
Worst part was the grumpy faces at Re3 rubbish dump seeing the old strip light and tube, I don't think they were sure what to charge me for it or if I was allowed to dispose of it. They took it though in the end.
Re: LED lights for garage/workshop?
The LED bulb market seems to be somewhat lacking in information. It's difficult to find even the LED model used, let alone it's binning.
Basically for top quality lighting I'd go for something with good colour rendering. Properly tested if you can get it, but High CRI seems to be proving a reasonable proxy for LEDs (unlike CCFLs).
What tint (colour temperature) you go for is your choice. Generally 4000-5000K are good middle ground, with 3000K and below and 6500K and above very warm/cool.
Higher colour temperatures do tend to be marginally more power efficient.
Re: LED lights for garage/workshop?
Er..... ummm..... Well I have a mix of 4' and 6' tubes that just say "Thorn EMI 40w Tropical Daylight" on them.
They're perhaps half as bright as I think I'll need.... however bright that is. My phone sensors say my office is about 240 lux, if that helps?
What on earth is a good replacement for those, do you think?
That strip Zak has in his thread looks quite dim in the photos...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DanceswithUnix
Worst part was the grumpy faces at Re3 rubbish dump
A-hah, you're local to me!!! :D
Re: LED lights for garage/workshop?