Led bulbs or led panel?

[Toomanytools?]

I'm trying to decide seems LED bulbs would be cheaper in the long run to replace or change (K) value if ever needed or if fixture failed.
A LED panel https://www.prolighting.com/commercial-lighting/fixtures-high-low-bay-high-bays/linearhighbays/tblhb90w27v50kcd.html
This type of fixture would be more of an expense to change. I like the look of this enclosed fixture also seems easier to clean if needed.
Thoughts why you went one way or the other with lights?
Thanks

 

[cybrdyke]

In the short run, the tubes are cheaper. In the long run, the highbay is a better choice.
As for maintenance, you're looking at 50,000 to 60,000 hours from these things, which is more than a decade of use (YMMV).
Also, it's doubtful you'll ever need to change the CCT (K) of your lights.
The highbay will last longer, is dimmable, and will create a better lighting project.
Good luck,
CD

 

[blueplate]

I recently noticed that Home Depot has a house-brand (Commercial Electric?) 2x2 flat panel with three selectable color temperatures. This is an interesting type of product.. I'd like to see something like this from a good brand at the 'real' electrician's supply stores.

 

[klassenl]

Reality check: how many hours a day/week are your shop lights on? If like me you get limited time in the shop you will never get your money back on the premium we pay for LED upgrades. T8 fluorescents are cheap.

If you're not concerned about money at all get the high bay.

 

[cybrdyke]

I recently noticed that Home Depot has a house-brand (Commercial Electric?) 2x2 flat panel with three selectable color temperatures. This is an interesting type of product.. I'd like to see something like this from a good brand at the 'real' electrician's supply stores.

It's been there for a couple of years from Liteline.
www.liteline.com
Also available from Remphos.

CD

 

[acer66]

My garage is full with old fluorescent light fixtures I got for cheap or free
and when one tubes goes out or I get one with no tubes I just get led tubes.

 

[C2tuck]

I found a deal on the T8’s online somewhere and snagged them. Then found a deal on a box of tubes. I think I had a dozen left over so I should be good for a while. Haven’t had any issues yet and there 4 years old.

I did put LED flood lights on all corners and in every place I could inside the house. Have a huge LED on the front of my garage that I’m sure my neighbors hate lol...that thing is bright!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[blueplate]

Reality check: how many hours a day/week are your shop lights on? If like me you get limited time in the shop you will never get your money back on the premium we pay for LED upgrades. T8 fluorescents are cheap.

I just had to do the math for myself. I grabbed Platonic Solid's "best LED Bulb Ever" (current champion, today's prices) and compared it to a Sylvania Alto T8 which you can get from your favorite orange box store.

At today's prices, it takes about 20 hours/week of usage to have an LED bulb pay back within 4 years.
If you use the bulbs about 12 hours/week (a few hours on the weekend and 1 hr/weekday) it takes a lot longer, about 8 years.
At 40 hours/week, it's an easy payback of 2 years.

(your mileage, electricity rates, and time-value of money may vary).

That said, I would still like to have LEDs in my garage!

 

[Low277]

I just had to do the math for myself. I grabbed Platonic Solid's "best LED Bulb Ever" (current champion, today's prices) and compared it to a Sylvania Alto T8 which you can get from your favorite orange box store.

At today's prices, it takes about 20 hours/week of usage to have an LED bulb pay back within 4 years.
If you use the bulbs about 12 hours/week (a few hours on the weekend and 1 hr/weekday) it takes a lot longer, about 8 years.
At 40 hours/week, it's an easy payback of 2 years.

(your mileage, electricity rates, and time-value of money may vary).

That said, I would still like to have LEDs in my garage!

Good point. Also one of the first posts mentioned hi bay lights, fixture/luminaire choice will depend alot on your ceiling height.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'll take regular fixtures and LED bulbs.

While the LEDs are supposed to last for a very long time, so were CFLs and we know how that went. I've already swapped out atleast one LED fluorescent that failed.

A replacement bulb is way cheaper than an entire fixture and if you have a fixture that is no longer made or linked/daisy chained together, what happens in a failure when they are no longer made ? Sure swap it out with something else, but will your OCD tolerate a different fixture in the mix ?

 

[blueplate]

I'll take regular fixtures and LED bulbs. While the LEDs are supposed to last for a very long time, so were CFLs and we know how that went. I've already swapped out atleast one LED fluorescent that failed.

A replacement bulb is way cheaper than an entire fixture and if you have a fixture that is no longer made or linked/daisy chained together, what happens in a failure when they are no longer made ? Sure swap it out with something else, but will your OCD tolerate a different fixture in the mix ?

**This is an outstanding point.** It’s making me think differently about my own lighting problems.

it’s discouraging to think that LED failure is going to cause a lot of fixtures/luminaires have to be completely junked.