Shop lighting

[gumboman]

Because I am moving my shop to a different space, lighting the area is on my mind at the moment. Today I perused lighting specs at Lowe's and left there thinking that LED lighting might be a good option. Is anyone using LED for lighting your shop space and if so how do you like it?

My shop will be 8'x13'. I'm looking for recommendations on the best approach to take on lighting it. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I did a search on the forum and picked up some good tips but cannot find anything specific to LED recommendations.

[Frank]

I replaced my fluorescent lights about 6 months ago with LED lights. I like the LEDs a lot better as they provide a much brighter flicker free light.

[smylee grouch]

Your shop is about the same size as mine and I like the 7 LED lights that I have there. I don't think they run as hot as the curly fluorescent bulbs.

[Kingsburyarms]

I have LED lights as well - Cool and efficient.

[SingleMalt]

I'm in the process of doing the same, just haven't found the fixtures yet.

[L. Akers]

I just replaced my fluorescent lights with LEDs.  LOVE them!  I got them for less than $25 ea. at Costco. 

[tiswell]

I like led's a lot better than flourescent. I have screw in fixtures and I try to get the 5000K spectrum bulbs when I can find them. I have 2, 4 bulb fixtures in a 10x20 shop. I think they are 75w equivalent. It is good and bright.

[Mark Elliott]

I have a ton of overhead fluorescent tubes in my shop.  They use a ton of power and raise the temp about 5 degrees.   I use LED for task lights.   What type of LED lighting are you using to replace the fluorescent tubes?   I didn't think there were any easy replacements for those type of fixtures.

[Bob Roller]

I have a ton of overhead fluorescent tubes in my shop.  They use a ton of power and raise the temp about 5 degrees.   I use LED for task lights.   What type of LED lighting are you using to replace the fluorescent tubes?   I didn't think there were any easy replacements for those type of fixtures.

I also have fluorescents overhead and would like to replace them but with what??
My shop i6 20x16 and had three 3x6 windows,one to the North,one East and one
West.The rear wall hasa big,40 year od Amana AC that makes work possible in these heat waves.

Bob Roller

[docone]

We light our shop with LED lights from Home Depot. Each fixture is about 50$. They are brighter, plug into 120V and very little eye strain. Well worth the money. The bulbs before burned out frequently. These do not seem to burn out.
They come single bulb, and double bulb. Slightly less than 5'. You can hook them up in a line, they have plugs on the fixture, and come with cords that plug in. Only need the main cord, the rest go from fixture to fixture.
We got the daylight bulbs. Much cooler.

[sloe bear]

LED lights are great,I replaced the old fixtures in my kitchen ,2x 4 4 tube units I purchased a drop in replacement 2x4 only had to add a outlet to plug them into and my wife loves them. she has Glocoma and other eye problems and these lights really helped her and I'm sure they would be just as good in any shop. go for it

[L. Akers]

I have a ton of overhead fluorescent tubes in my shop.  They use a ton of power and raise the temp about 5 degrees.   I use LED for task lights.   What type of LED lighting are you using to replace the fluorescent tubes?   I didn't think there were any easy replacements for those type of fixtures.

Mark, if you have rapid start ballasts in your fluorescent fixtures there are LED tubes available that are a "drop-in" replacement for the fluorescent tubes.  You don't have to change fixtures.

[EC121]

I think I am going the ballast removal route when my fixtures die.  Just remove the ballast and wire the correct lamp directly to the 115vac from the switch.  Apparently there is a direct replacement lamp and a non-ballasted lamp.

[Sidelock]

I as well have a bunch of 4' florescent tubes lighting the main bay of my shop - I will have to look into the LED drop in option, have not heard of that one.  One point I can add is on the amount of light - try to get at least 80 foot candles of light at your work surface, 100 would be even better.  There are calculators on the web that can assist you in planning out how much and what kind of lighting you will need.  

[WKevinD]

I use (4) 4' LED fixtures , like florescent fixtures (home depot $39.00 ea on sale) I need to add one more over the walk around bench. The come on immediately even when the shop (12' x 20') is cold and have a bright clear, on the blue scale light. I use articulating incandescent at an angle for shadows.
My eyes require good light to get detail so I have spent a lot of time trying to get the cleanest light for the best cost and this has been the best so far.
Kevin

[SingleMalt]

The replacement fixture at Costco really looks like the way to go.  At the sale price, its cheaper than bulbs alone.   

http://www.costco.com/4%E2%80%99-Linkable-LED-Shop-Light-with-Pull-Chain-2-pack.product.100284402.html

[bob in the woods]

My shop is 16 x 16 ft and I have LED lights, both over head and task.  Powered by solar panels/batteries . Power consumption is minimal.

[Chris Treichel]

Last time we moved we ended up with a spare set of track lights from home depot. That and a lamp on an extendable arm work really well for me. I can swing the one lamp arround so I get light over my shoulder for engraving or chisel work and I can move the four spot lights (led) arround on the track as needed.

[gumboman]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It certainly appears like LED is the way to go. Lowe's has a 4 foot unit with 2 LED lamps for $50.00. Each unit has a light output of 3800 lumens which is equal to 3.4, 75 watt incandescent bulbs. Four of those in my shop will equal about 13.8, 75 watt bulbs. That should be fine for my small space. I will post my opinion of this once I have everything complete. In a couple of months I am guessing.

[KC]

LED is definitely the way to go. I own a consulting engineering firm and most of our projects now include LED lighting. Like others have said, they're extremely energy efficient, put off very little heat, and last a long time. It's becoming necessary for us to specify LED lighting in many cases just to meet the latest energy efficiency codes. I've retrofitted my house with some and will do more as time and budget permits.

[smylee grouch]

If you have the standard screw in light bulb fixture, is there any reason to buy any special fixture for LED instead of just screwing in an LED bulb in the old fixture?

[toddsndrsn]

LEDs are great.  We just put some in our dewatering building at work last month to replace the old fluorescent lights.  It's a whole new look.  I have a small basement room that I put two LED shop lights in.  Plenty bright.  I don't think I will ever go back to fluorescent lights ever again.

[Kingsburyarms]

If you have the standard screw in light bulb fixture, is there any reason to buy any special fixture for LED instead of just screwing in an LED bulb in the old fixture?

Goes right in - No adapter needed - just pick the "Wattage" and the Lumens (a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source).

[jerrywh]

 I just put leds int he kitchen and the shop. They are a great improvement, cool and cheap.

[Jim Kibler]

For task lighting, I've found nothing works better than a big draftsman style lamp, with an incandescent bulb.  I've taught lots of classes where students have brought about every kind of light you could imagine and this is best to my eyes.  Nothing else seems to come close for whatever reason.  I'll also add, that the importance of good lighting is one most overlooked or underappreciated aspect of gun building.  I'm always harping about this in classes .

Jim