Thread: LED batten lights?

Having been through all this myself I just can not believe that there is such a thing as too much artificial light in a workshop. I think that is simply impossible unless you have some eye problem. There are of course financial constraints. You also don't want the light too low so that it is pointing into your eyes. but in terms of lumens - it would need to be out of this world before it was too much. Even then it would be better to reduce reflective surfaces than reduce the lumens.
Personally I like cool colour for the workshop. There is a place for warmer colour so this is just a personal preference thing.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

KahoyKutter - that is one very sexy workbench, deluxe model with purpleheart drawer handles??

Thanks, it was a labour of love. And it's not as deluxe as you think. The top is made out of primarily reclaimed Spotted Gum and the base is a hodge-podge of whatever hardwood I happened to have laying around, i.e. 50% reclaimed and feature-grade SG, 30% Blackbutt, and 20% Ironbark.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

... which is a good opportunity to do something about the crappy fluoro lighting I have right now. ...

Any suggestions/suppliers (including online) for suitable full length LED battens or other alternatives ...

This topic was discussed in depth about 2-3 years ago - quick search, couldn't find the thread!

Consensous then was that LED panel lights probably gave the nicest type of light - well diffused and minimal shadows, but prices were quite variable. Some members imported direct from China.

... Do people also have a preference re. colour temperature? ...

I have a very strong preference for a warm white light colour - it is much more comforting - but I know that I can do more precise work with a more clinical cold white light.

Although I have not used them, I understand that you can get LED lights that you "dial up" the colour that you want.

I think sunlight is about 4500° and LED at 5000° give off a nice white light.
It recommended that a warm light of around 4000 to 4500 is less fatiguing on the eyes which may be the case when you get into the blue spectrum but I find 5000° to be the sweet spot.

I really hate low light levels, too much eye strain for me. I found 1200mm or 4 foot in imperial LED tubes on eBay that have clear diffusers on them with mirror reflectors. I am an electrician so I rewired every flouro fitting to suit the new tubes. I have 6 in my 9 X 6M shed individually switched, plus one extra lowered down above my work bench.
I just turn on whichever I need and it's the happiest I have been forever with my lighting setup.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Here is a little information on light levels for different activities. Illuminance - Recommended Light Level

In my shop I have 64,000 lumens of 6,000K light from 16 baton fixtures in 4 rows of 4 lights on two circuits. I found out after getting them that if I had put each baton on its own at the box rather than linking them, I could have used a dimmer to adjust light as needed. 6 years ago it was more cost effective to order direct from China as there were few options locally and those that had LEDs were greedy to the tune of 3 or 4 times as much. So far I don't have or need any task lighting. My shop is just under 60sq/m so have about 1,000 lumens per sq/m.

Pete

Originally Posted by QC Inspector

My shop is just under 60sq/m so have about 1,000 lumens per sq/m.

Pete

Damn Pete, that's some serious sunshine in your shed.

I'm thinking of adding LED highbay lights between bays to compliment the fluros.
Nutz

Originally Posted by Nutz

You can't use a ballast with LED. Different technology, just disconnect the ballast and the LRD tubes will work fine.

This has been discussed on other forums. You can't leave the starters in circuit, the 'fluoro replacement' tubes provide a "special" which is just a short circuit. The ballast can stay, ends up in series and uses a little power but compared to paying an electrician to remove it its negligible.

My wife's craft room is an example...

Originally Posted by Nutz

You can't use a ballast with LED. Different technology, just disconnect the ballast and the LRD tubes will work fine.

Well that's good to know, thanks. i'll give that a try now.

In the referenced discussion, many years back, these tubes were the ones most highly rated:

10X 25X GermanAEG LED T8 glass tube fluorescent Light 9W 18W 60 120cm COOL FROST | eBay

I bought a 10 pack, some extra basic battens and removed the included tubes+guts.

Downstairs I've a box of 9, plus 4 tri-phosphors and 9 generics, plus one batten just sitting in a box.... when I moved 4 years ago I took my bloody LEDs with me!

Originally Posted by woodPixel

10X 25X GermanAEG LED T8 glass tube fluorescent Light 9W 18W 60 120cm COOL FROST | eBay

$10 a tube, good price. $20 to convert a twin batten to LED WITH quality tubes is a very economical way to go.