Changing from Fluorescent to LED-Efficiencies?

[Angelfire]

Hiya Folks,
Trying to get caught up on the LED bandwagon that seems to just keep moving forward!

I'm still in the throes of building out my space and haven't hung all my fixtures but what I have is standard T8 fluorescent fixtures. When I calculated the numbers of fixtures, I seem to remember there were certain factors to account for drop off in the lamp output, to account for dust, high ceilings, etc... I used all this and designed to a 100 FC goal.

My question is this. If I elect to skip tubing these fixtures with fluorescents and instead go straight to LED, what sort of light efficiency factors should I be looking at? I really don't want to put a 2200 lumen LED tube in if it then means I'll be sitting at 120 FC and I could go with something more in the 1600 lumen range to keep things at about 100FC.

The fixtures are just a standard run of the mill 4ft, 2 lamp fixture....something like this: http://www.buylightfixtures.com/T8-fluorescent-2-lamp-strip-light-fixture.aspx

I haven't yet decided on whether to go with the re-wire or ballast option as of yet but either would work I suppose. I have verified the ballast is certified for a number of LED tubes out there.

Thanks for the inputs.
Cheers.

 

[anuccite]

The fixtures are just a standard run of the mill 4ft, 2 lamp fixture....something like this: http://www.buylightfixtures.com/T8-fluorescent-2-lamp-strip-light-fixture.aspx

Thanks for the inputs.
Cheers.

That is one Expensive Fixture!

http://www.beeslighting.com/product-p/st48232-led.htm

 

[Angelfire]

That is one Expensive Fixture!

http://www.beeslighting.com/product-p/st48232-led.htm

That was simply to show a picture of what my fixture looks like. I certainly did not splash that kind of cash on them.

 

[American Locomotive]

If you're using reflector-less lamps, the down firing LED bulbs will put significantly more light directly down. I'd expect you'd need about 25-30% less lumen output

 

[anuccite]

I'm no lighting expert..... But If it were me, I'd buy the bypass bulbs, just so i never had to worry about ballasts....

Personally I am going with 2200 lumens, 5k lights for my shop.

 

[Abeo]

What ceiling height do you have?

I have that style of fixtures, and most of my lights are still fluorescent (2850 lumen)... with 3 pair being LED (2100 lumen). I could do a comparative LUX reading under the fluorescent vs LED to give you an idea of the difference (I think the LED provides more light on the ground with my 8 ft ceiling)

 

[CheapCharlie]

That result would be interesting


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[Angelfire]

What ceiling height do you have?

I have that style of fixtures, and most of my lights are still fluorescent (2850 lumen)... with 3 pair being LED (2100 lumen). I could do a comparative LUX reading under the fluorescent vs LED to give you an idea of the difference (I think the LED provides more light on the ground with my 8 ft ceiling)

That would be some interesting data to be sure. I have two ceiling heights. One half of the space is 9'8" and the other half is at 12'8"
Cheers.

 

[cybrdyke]

If you designed it to a specific fc with standard T8's, then 1600 lumen lamps is all you'll need. You'll find them in 160 degree beam, so that you'll get the coverage that you were expecting from the fluorescent. Since the ballasts are brand new, there's no reason to take them out. A good 1600 lumen lamp will be approximately 10 watts, which will translate to 12 total watts including the ballast.
Do it. You'll love them.
Good luck,
CD

 

[Angelfire]

If you designed it to a specific fc with standard T8's, then 1600 lumen lamps is all you'll need. You'll find them in 160 degree beam, so that you'll get the coverage that you were expecting from the fluorescent. Since the ballasts are brand new, there's no reason to take them out. A good 1600 lumen lamp will be approximately 10 watts, which will translate to 12 total watts including the ballast.
Do it. You'll love them.
Good luck,
CD

Thanks CD! Any recommendations for the lamps? That was my next order of research and I know my head will be spinning. Appreciate the help.
Cheers.

 

[Specracer]

I went with these off amazon, but 8', but did the frosted lens for more diffusion. Took no time to rip out the ballast. I have a ton of lights, so not replacing all of them, just as they go.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1CJC0C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Abeo]

Used the cheapie Luminus led from Costco for comparison, the Philips led is brighter. The fluorescent bulbs are Philips Alto. The LED bulbs are the brighter bulbs, and the measurements were taken at waist height (~5 ft from the bulb)
I have a feeling when I do the rest of the led bulbs, it will make the garage too bright

 

[cybrdyke]

Thanks CD! Any recommendations for the lamps? That was my next order of research and I know my head will be spinning. Appreciate the help.
Cheers.

GE 61327 and Philips 468298. Both have the appropriate performance stats.
Good luck,
CD

 

[Angelfire]

Used the cheapie Luminus led from Costco for comparison, the Philips led is brighter. The fluorescent bulbs are Philips Alto. The LED bulbs are the brighter bulbs, and the measurements were taken at waist height (~5 ft from the bulb)
I have a feeling when I do the rest of the led bulbs, it will make the garage too bright

Am I seeing things correctly that the LED are nearly twice as bright? Wow. I will definitely be taking others advice and step down the lumen rating of the LED tubes or I'll be forced to wear sunglasses! Thanks for taking the time to take the readings/photos!
Cheers.

 

[Angelfire]

GE 61327 and Philips 468298. Both have the appropriate performance stats.
Good luck,
CD

Thanks for this. Gives me something to look into. Appreciate it.
Cheers.

 

[Abeo]

Am I seeing things correctly that the LED are nearly twice as bright? Wow. I will definitely be taking others advice and step down the lumen rating of the LED tubes or I'll be forced to wear sunglasses! Thanks for taking the time to take the readings/photos!
Cheers.

Yeah, the LED tubes do provide quite a bit more light. The existing fluorescent bulbs are used and a bit dirty, so that will reduce their output a bit. I have some new fluorescent bulbs in one row and they are around 500 lux but stuff was in the way so I didn't use them for the side by side comparison.

Another advantage to the LED is the instant on and cold weather performance (not sure if that matters in NM). They also don't explode when you hit them with a 2x4 when you aren't being careful....