Installed T8s, now I need help with bulbs

[TxAgs]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the replies a while back regarding the bulb direction on some fixtures I just bought.

I've laid out the lights parallel to the vehicle and everything looks good. Once I turned them on, I realized that the prior owner had installed some very warm bulbs in here and the light is fairly dim and yellow.

I am going to replace all bulbs, 18 total. I'm going to be doing general shop work in the garage along with painting my Mustang. I'm afraid to put in 100% 6500k bulbs in fear it will be too bright.

Is it possible to mix and match 6500k and 5000k bulbs to get the "right" light? Any other tips for setting these up?

Thanks,

Jason

 

[White04mach]

Here is what my 26x 40 with 11 foot ceilings looks like with eight 2 light fixtures and two 3 light fixtures under my 10 foot ceiling area.....22 bulbs total. They are the 6500k daylight bulbs.

 

[fstbusa]

5000K....6500k... Whatever that is just the temperature of the lamp. The lower the number the the more yellow the lamp. The Higher the number the more white the lamp. It has nothing to do with brightness. The lumen output is what you need to look at for brightness differences.

 

[eljefino]

You also want high CRI (color rendition index) bulbs. The higher the CRI the less the degrees Kelvin matters as the less the color is tinted from "perfect". FTR I like both 5000 and 6500'K in their place.

You can have a white card look the same under a good and bad CRI bulb of the same color temp, but a salad with red tomatoes for example is much more appetizing under a good CRI bulb. If you're doing any painting or detail work or just like looking at your car in the best light, spend the couple extra bucks on decent bulbs.

 

[Falcon67]

I like the 6500K, personally. They come off as a bit blue if you have several 4200K types in bathrooms or the kitchen. But I like the light and the "blue" goes away pretty quick when you are working in there.

Sunny day with man door open - light from the sun comes close to the bulb temperature

Door closed

 

[Shocker]

I have got 5000's in all the fixtures. Best compromise for brightness and color.

 

[matt151617]

Buy a case. Usually there's 48 to a case. They're significantly cheaper per bulb that way, and you'll have extra for replacement and expansion.

 

[jbs]

You also want high CRI (color rendition index) bulbs. The higher the CRI the less the degrees Kelvin matters as the less the color is tinted from "perfect". FTR I like both 5000 and 6500'K in their place.

You can have a white card look the same under a good and bad CRI bulb of the same color temp, but a salad with red tomatoes for example is much more appetizing under a good CRI bulb. If you're doing any painting or detail work or just like looking at your car in the best light, spend the couple extra bucks on decent bulbs.

x2. CRI is very important. I went with 5000K since they generally have the best output and I find anything higher a bit to blue. I bought a case (25) of these, and they are great.

 

[TxAgs]

Great stuff! I think I will buy a case of 6500k and a case of 5000k and then distribute amongst the lights. I'm scared that with 6500s everywhere, I'll need sunglasses just to go in there.

Thanks!
Jason

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have got 5000's in all the fixtures. Best compromise for brightness and color.

Jim

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I also have the 5000k and I like them............7 48" fixtures with 6 32w tubes each = 42 bulbs

 

[Highbeam]

I'm scared that with 6500s everywhere, I'll need sunglasses just to go in there.

Thanks!
Jason

Your need for sunglasses will have nothing to do with the color temperature. You can have dim 6500k and bright 6500k. Lumens make you squint not color temperature.

I went with 4300k which are called "cool white" since I like a warmer light. It's nice to go to a store with a display set up showing all colors.

 

[68 Bird]

Is it possible to have it "too bright" in a shop?
I like it "doctor's office" bright.

 

[lakee911]

Is it possible to have it "too bright" in a shop?
I like it "doctor's office" bright.

Yes. It can be hard on the eyes ... I like it bright too, but it's best to have multiple switches so you can save on electricity and adjust the brightness to your needs.

 

[68 Bird]

That's exactly what I do. It all depends on what I'm doing. Lots of white paint is key as well. I have about 4 different combinations a can employ. I like switches. But even on sunburn mode it always seems I need a trouble light.

 

[IQRaceworks]

Here is what my 26x 40 with 11 foot ceilings looks like with eight 2 light fixtures and two 3 light fixtures under my 10 foot ceiling area.....22 bulbs total. They are the 6500k daylight bulbs.

Wow..that looks great. I'm actually trying to like my 30x40 shop (similar to yours), and all of the formulas that I'm seeing are showing I need something like 80+ T8 bulbs to light my shop. I'm surprised you were able to light your entire shop with only 22 bulbs. Those big fixtures you have are only 2-bulb fixtures?

 

[White04mach]

Wow..that looks great. I'm actually trying to like my 30x40 shop (similar to yours), and all of the formulas that I'm seeing are showing I need something like 80+ T8 bulbs to light my shop. I'm surprised you were able to light your entire shop with only 22 bulbs. Those big fixtures you have are only 2-bulb fixtures?

The 8 fixtures in the vaulted ceiling are 2 bulb lights, and the 2 fixtures under the flat ceiling are 3 bulb lights. I got them for $5 a piece (minus bulbs) so I couldn't go wrong for the price. I was worried I wouldn't have enough light either but my father in law said I would be fine. Most of the people that come into my shop at night are like "Got enough light in here?"

 

[IQRaceworks]

Wow....those sure are wide for only having two bulbs. What brand and type are they? I want to see if I can find some in my area. Thanks!

 

[Cryptic1911]

Stick with 5000K bulbs.. that's the most "white" light. 4200 is starting to yellow, and 6000/6500 is into a blue tint.

I also bought a few cases of bulbs from 1000bulbs.com. I went with the L-337's at the time as they were the best for the money, but those L-359's have just slightly better specs