What are the cheapest (but still good) LED flood lights available?

[moneyisflying]

I am in the process of building my pole barn. The barn will have 10ft ceilings and is a 30'X48' structure. I didn't want any windows but want good lighting.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out if there are some good LED flood lights that are bright that can light up the inside of my barn that aren't going to cost me an arm and a leg. I really want to have good/bright lighting in the barn. The longevity and brightness (as well as electric savings) is appealing to me for the LED's. But if there are no good options, I will likely end up with some fluorescent floods instead.

What options are out there?

 

[Platonic Solid]

If you want good lighting, flood lights are not the answer.
Standard Fluorescent T8 strip lights will serve you well at reasonable cost.
LED tubes are possible if you buy wisely, but waiting will get you better pricing, lumen output, and efficiency.

My rule of thumb cost for good lighting (based on fluorescent strip lights):
$1.00 per sq. ft. if you have white walls + ceiling
$1.60 per sq. ft. if you have unfinished wood walls + ceiling

 

[moneyisflying]

What do you mean by "waiting"? I will need to find a good solution before the barn is up in a month.

If it's $1.60 a square foot, that comes to over $2400 for just lights. That will be out of my range for lighting for sure of that's what I am looking at. They will not be white walls.

 

[cybrdyke]

There are no GOOD + CHEAP LED Flood lights.
There are good ones.
There are cheap ones.

10' ceilings are too low for floods.
You said "fluorescent flood lights" . I'm not even sure what those are. Maybe you're not using the term "flood lights" correctly.
This is an LED flood light:

It will blind you and give you very harsh shadows.

Some people refer to this as a flood light, but it's really called a PAR lamp:

It's not going to be effective in lighting a floor space evenly, either.

If your price range is less than stated in posts above, then go with T8 fluorescent strips.
Good luck.
CD

 

[Platonic Solid]

You're not going to find cheaper lumens per dollar than F32T8 fluorescent strip fixtures. Better to buy as many as you can afford and plan on installing more later than to waste your money on a band-aid experiment that you'll live to regret.

This $54 4-lamp F32T8 8ft tandem fixture with reflector is a very reasonably priced fixture that you won't regret having purchased. You need the reflector since you don't have white walls/ceiling. You'll have a dark ceiling, but to keep cost down you need to push all the light down to your work area.

This will yield a respectable 77fc at 30" work plane:

Qty.15 @ $53.85 ea. = $807.75

Qty.60 Lamps @ $2.46 ea. = $147.60

Total Cost = $955.35

Total Lumen output = 156,000 Lumens

= 163 Lumens per $1

Though the bulbs I linked to are a good deal, many here have found some impressive local deals on discontinued lamps, so it may be worth your while to shop local for bulbs.

 

[Platonic Solid]

If you just have to have LED now, for $200 more you can go LED with the same output result as follows:

Qty. 30 PLT 55027 2 lamp strip light (edited to remove 1000bulbs dot com as a supplier due to excessive shipping charges) $12.52 = $375.60

Qty. 60 James Industry 22 Watt 4 ft LED T8 Lamp Alum. Hsg Int. Driver 2640 lm Shineretrofits.com $12.99 = $779.40
(Strongly recommend the frosted lens)

Total Cost = $1,155

Total Lumen output = 158,400 lm

= 137 lm per $1

 

[moneyisflying]

Thanks for the info!

The ultimate goal is to light my barn with good amounts of lights. If it would be had via LEDs that would be great, but if it just gets too expensive, fluorescents will be acceptable. The other thing to note is that this will be an outdoor barn, so it will likely see cold temps in the winter. Will that be an issue at all?

 

[Stuart in MN]

Modern T8 fluorescent fixtures are typically rated for use down to 0 degrees F, so they shouldn't be a problem in most cases.

 

[crewchief437]

FWIW: my flood lights are in here both link to lights and pic of the lighting.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=297335

watch out though the lighting nazis will flame you.

 

[LX-Markham]

watch out though the lighting nazis will flame you.

i LOL, but seriously, it does look harsh in the pic. Cool picture tho!

I put 8 LED puck lights under my lift, and even they were insanly bright and harsh. I cut out some circles from fluorescent light fixture diffusers and glued them to the pucks to cut down the harshness.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

I'm building a pole barn and I can't afford all the fixtures that I need either. What I'm doing is wiring for ALL the lights that I will have, but only buying and installing them as I can afford it.

I started installing lights in the area where I will be working the most, then as I buy more, I install them farther out from the starting point.



JBP


.

 

[ishiboo]

Thanks for the info!

The ultimate goal is to light my barn with good amounts of lights. If it would be had via LEDs that would be great, but if it just gets too expensive, fluorescents will be acceptable. The other thing to note is that this will be an outdoor barn, so it will likely see cold temps in the winter. Will that be an issue at all?

A cheap 4' fluorescent is about $11, plus $4 for bulbs = $15 let's say. An inexpensive but decent 4' LED (Costco/Sams/etc.) is about $35-40, and puts out slightly MORE light where you need it. (The fluorescent is rated for more lumens, but doesn't direct it all towards what you want lit.) To approximate this, let's say that led is 2X the price.

I had a 30x40x14 before. I would say that 30 4' fixtures would be a pretty good starting point for "good light". That would be $450. Double that for LED and you would have $900. I would install 20 fixtures initially and see if that is enough for you. IMO, without white walls and ceiling, it is very painful to

This is only the cost of lights, you would still need to add receptacles and wire them as needed. You're looking at a minimum of 2 120v circuits for the fluorescent lights. It is also nearly 2kw of lighting, which is probably close to a quarter an hour or more for your area to run. I would run multiple circuits, so you could have a half level of light evenly, or divide it logically - for example half the shop was a lift and half the shop was storage, divide it into 4 parts so you could put each half on, half, or full.

 

[moneyisflying]

My cousin is an electrician, so he will be wiring up and powering whatever I do go with. I can spend $800-$1000 on the lights. I would prefer closer to the $800 side if possible. But there's no way I can do $2,000+ right now on lighting. I've just got too much else I also need to take into account for like insulation, concrete work, and heating.

Sounds like the 8' T8 fixtures Platonic Solid posted seem to be the best deal (I am still open to more suggestions if anyone has them). The barn will be up in about two weeks. Once it's up I'll have to see what kind of surfaces I have to work with and what exact budget I have left safely to work with lights.

 

[toplessHO]

maybe its just me but I would wire for all lights now and put T5HO 6 lamp fixtures in
@$100 each plus lamps they arent alot more than the T8s and will put out 2x the light.
On a budget you could wire for all and skip areas that arent used as much,adding as you can afford

 

[Platonic Solid]

maybe its just me but I would wire for all lights now and put T5HO 6 lamp fixtures in
@$100 each plus lamps they arent alot more than the T8s and will put out 2x the light.
On a budget you could wire for all and skip areas that arent used as much,adding as you can afford

6 lamp T5HO is not the right fixture for 10ft ceiling height. It's not all about lumens. Glare from excessively bright lights makes things harder to see. You're much better off with larger quantity of lower lumen fixtures.

 

[Platonic Solid]

A cheap 4' fluorescent is about $11 ...

Nice pricing, but without a link to show where you buy this, it doesn't exist.

 

[moneyisflying]

I would like to say special thanks to Platonic Solid. It seems you have done more than your fair share of research on this.

While looking at the fixtures you recomended, I found these made by the same company > http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007P30ITI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But they are $23.89 vs the $53.85 ones. Any input you have would be great.

I am torn on what way to go for my pole barn. I have visited the Air Force museum in Ohio, and noticed how they had black walls and still very good lighting. I loved the way the aircraft were lit, and it still was plenty bright to see everything. Something about the black walls and ceiling really just highlighted everything else. I always thought that would be cool to have if nothing else, than to show off my sports car that I have taken very good care of.

However, I am sure that if I go with the black walls that would be less reflective light, and as I also want to use the barn as a workshop to work on projects and cars, it may not be the best idea for lighting. Perhaps I could have one side black and the other not?

I ask you because you seem to have a very firm grasp on these things and it looks like you have already planned several others pole/barn lighting ideas.

Also, on a different topic, what would you recommend for exterior lighting? I would like a flood light for above the barn enterance at night, and on the back of my barn, I plan on installing a shooting range. It would be pretty cool if I could have it lit well enough to shoot at night (short ranges of approx. 20 yards).

 

[Jo Diesel]

That light you posted is a retro-fit kit. It does not include the housing.
If your buddy is an electrician ask him if he knows of any T8 take outs. My brother in law did a Meyers and had stacks that they were going to through away. Sold them for $20 ea with bulbs. Craigs List is another possibility.
I have yet to be somewhere that I thought it is to bright. Quite often use 2 500 watt halogen floods plus my overhead lights to be able to see.

 

[danfromsyr]

I have these style outdoor (indoors) LED flood lights in my shop with 12ft ceilings.
I used 30w units in general use and 50w where I tend to work most.
have 9 units in my main 24x24x12 area. and provides sufficient/ample illumination
but your eyes/shop needs may vary.
but each 30w unit was less watts than (1) 4ft bulb.
they shed ALOT of light, you can't look at them directly. so plan accordingly.

hard to beat the value at ~$23ea shipped

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391216232884

 

[aka Larry]

I have these style outdoor (indoors) LED flood lights in my shop with 12ft ceilings.
I used 30w units in general use and 50w where I tend to work most.
have 9 units in my main 24x24x12 area. and provides sufficient/ample illumination
but your eyes/shop needs may vary.
but each 30w unit was less watts than (1) 4ft bulb.
they shed ALOT of light, you can't look at them directly. so plan accordingly.

hard to beat the value at ~$23ea shipped

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391216232884

Thanks for that info. I don't prefer cool white, but I see the seller has daylight color also. At that price I will buy a couple to replace the existing floodlights on my shop and see how I like them.

 

[moneyisflying]

Are these a good deal?

https://fortwayne.craigslist.org/hsh/5219886085.html

I contacted the seller, and was able to get the bundle for $200. I think I'm going to get these as at that price it seems like a great deal, then I can supplement a few others to help. Please let me know if anyone thinks these are not good for any reason.

 

[Platonic Solid]

The black I see at the ends of those bulbs means they're either already dead or soon will be.
Replacement bulbs cost twice as much as 4ft, so there's no savings there and at 8ft long they're a pain to deal with at every stage: from purchase, to storage, to disposal.
Can't argue with $28 each as long as the ballasts work.
I guess it all comes down to how tight money is, as you'll likely toss these in a few years.

 

[moneyisflying]

The black I see at the ends of those bulbs means they're either already dead or soon will be.
Replacement bulbs cost twice as much as 4ft, so there's no savings there and at 8ft long they're a pain to deal with at every stage: from purchase, to storage, to disposal.
Can't argue with $28 each as long as the ballasts work.
I guess it all comes down to how tight money is, as you'll likely toss these in a few years.

How can you tell from the ends being black? He says the bulbs were all the spares that have never been used yet.

Also, it was 8ft fixtures you originally pointed out to me. Should I go with 4 foot fixtures?

 

[Platonic Solid]

How can you tell from the ends being black? He says the bulbs were all the spares that have never been used yet.

Also, it was 8ft fixtures you originally pointed out to me. Should I go with 4 foot fixtures?

Though you really don't get a good look at them in the pictures, the third one up appears to have a blackened area close to the end of the glass. That only happens to dying or dead lamps. Hard to tell if the one in the middle has any discoloration.

The fixture I recommended uses four 4ft F32T8 lamps and is 8ft long. Basically two 2 lamp 4ft fixtures end to end.
The Craigslist fixture uses two 8ft F96T8 (or T12 - hard to tell) lamps.

 

[moneyisflying]

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.

I'm going tomorrow to check it out. I will need to see each fixture and each bulb working for me to pick them up.

 

[ishiboo]

Nice pricing, but without a link to show where you buy this, it doesn't exist.

I assumed anywhere would have a $11 4' shop light.

http://www.menards.com/main/mainten...-48-white-2-light-t8-shop-light/p-1848411.htm

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...uorescent-Shop-Light-1233-SHOPLIGHT/203081577

Use a Lowes 10% to get 10% off any of these right now.

 

[06switchback]

I have had these in my garage for a few months now and very happy http://m.homedepot.com/p/Commercial...H=RV-_-rv_mobileweb_rr-3-_-NA-_-205331022-_-N

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[Platonic Solid]

I assumed anywhere would have a $11 4' shop light.

http://www.menards.com/main/mainten...-48-white-2-light-t8-shop-light/p-1848411.htm

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...uorescent-Shop-Light-1233-SHOPLIGHT/203081577

Use a Lowes 10% to get 10% off any of these right now.

Doh! - I wasn't thinking corded shop lights - my bad. If I was buying any of those, I'd opt for the American Fluorescent from Menards as that is the only T8. They do require extra outlets and boxes. This has got to be the absolute cheapest lighting money can buy. I'd buy 2 new American Fluorescent shop lights before I'd buy the used 8ft lamp fixtures any day.

 

[moneyisflying]

Doh! - I wasn't thinking corded shop lights - my bad. If I was buying any of those, I'd opt for the American Fluorescent from Menards as that is the only T8. They do require extra outlets and boxes. This has got to be the absolute cheapest lighting money can buy. I'd buy 2 new American Fluorescent shop lights before I'd buy the used 8ft lamp fixtures any day.

You got a link to the American Fluorescent shop lights?

 

[Platonic Solid]

It's the first menards link that ishiboo posted.

 

[moneyisflying]

It's the first menards link that ishiboo posted.

Got it! Man, that would definitely be cheap and if I got 32 of them it would put out approx 160,000 lumens comparable to the lumens you said before. Only thing left I am concerned with is that the ones you originally linked me to had reflectors needed for the low ceiling and dark walls. How much of a difference will that make from these?

 

[moneyisflying]

So the American Flourescents are on sale for $8. I'm definitely going to buy them, just wondering how many. 32 by my math would give the same lumens as I mentioned, but these are shop lights with no reflectors. Should I get more since I am not getting the $54 reflector ones that's were originally posted?

Really could use some feedback here so I know what I need.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I originally bought some 8' 4 bulb T8 fixtures at Menard's. They have been working fine but they has a commerical style ballast and creates RFI. When I put new lights up on the other side of the garage, I bought some similar fixtures by Lithonia at Home Depot. They were a little bit more money but created no RFI.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...3001rw&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147012-_-11210757&cj=true


I believe that is them in the link above. They are strip lights with no reflectors as I have a white ceiling and am using the entire ceiling to reflect the light about the garage.

Starting on page 84 of my Refurb thread, post 1669, it shows me atarting to add lights to the other side of the garage.

 

[Platonic Solid]

So the American Flourescents are on sale for $8. I'm definitely going to buy them, just wondering how many. 32 by my math would give the same lumens as I mentioned, but these are shop lights with no reflectors. Should I get more since I am not getting the $54 reflector ones that's were originally posted?

Really could use some feedback here so I know what I need.

You didn't mention the size of your garage. LxWxH

 

[NUTTSGT]

You didn't mention the size of your garage. LxWxH

He's the OP and it's in his first post.

I am in the process of building my pole barn. The barn will have 10ft ceilings and is a 30'X48' structure. I didn't want any windows but want good lighting.

 

[Platonic Solid]

He's the OP and it's in his first post.

Oops, I was reading the top of pg 2 as if it was pg 1.

moneyisflying - The American Fluorescent shop lights appear to have a small reflector so 32 fixtures should be fine.

 

[moneyisflying]

Oops, I was reading the top of pg 2 as if it was pg 1.

moneyisflying - The American Fluorescent shop lights appear to have a small reflector so 32 fixtures should be fine.

Sweet. Thnks so much for your help again. Can't believe these 4' fixtures are $8!

 

[Platonic Solid]

Sweet. Thnks so much for your help again. Can't believe these 4' fixtures are $8!

Please post some pictures of a fixture when you get them. I'd like to see if it's usable as a low cost LED housing.

 

[Jo Diesel]

I was at Home Depot yesterday and these were $59. Almost bought a couple but I need to get my 2 college seniors to graduate first

4 ft. Integrated 40-Watt Gray LED Cable-Mount Shop Light