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Platonic Solid

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Rydnlow - None of the post 1 lamps claim to be dimmable. To convert to dimmable LED without additional wiring you will either need lamps that have been tested to function with triac dimmers or lamps with external dimming drivers which permit the addition of a wireless 0-10VDC controller.
 
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Paladin306

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Oklahoma City, OK
Can't say enough thanks to Platonic Solid for his suggestions which were in post 401 in this thread https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289441&page=21.

Here's the way it turned out. Wanted a lot of light and that's exactly what I got. This pic is with the overhead door raised which blocks one row of lights. It's really much brighter than the picture makes it appear.

View media item 78881
And, from the opposite direction which really depicts the results much better.

View media item 78882
 
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Platonic Solid

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Wow, stunning space Paladin306! Good call on mounting the fixtures flush with the ceiling pitch.
Thank you for posting pics.
 
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pointer80

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Jul 8, 2015
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North Central Michigan
I finally got all my led lights installed and when I did I ended up having one bad bulb that would not work. I contacted ProLighting today and let them know and they said no problem at all and said they would mail one right out to me. Great customer service.
 
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Foozle

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Mar 24, 2015
Messages
22
I have a 60' x 50' shop with 14' ceilings. Based on a previous recommendation I was going to go with the 110w Greentek 2' linear high bays, but after ordering 4 to try and waiting several weeks, I cancelled my order due to lack of responsiveness by the vendor. Also, I was wanting to flush mount the fixtures and there doesn't seem to be an easy solution for this.

Anyone have a recommendation for something similar that can be flush mounted reasonably? I looked at the Lumegens but they also don't have a flush mount kit, that I can see.

Thanks!
 
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devildog1205

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Oct 7, 2015
Messages
81
Haven't posted here in a while, as I started a new thread for my 32'x36' Shop Build. See my sig for complete build link.

But wanted to stop back in a post a few pics of my progress with Lighting. I received a ton of guidance and information from this thread and from Platonic. So I thought I'd come back and share a a few pics of the exterior lighting that just went up a few days ago and the ceiling pancake boxes I chose for the LED Lamps. Very pleased with the result and the look of the Barn Style Goose Neck LED lamps. Interior lighting is in progress, drywall is hung. Finishing starts tomorrow. Ceiling fixtures will go up as soon as that's completed. I'll post back when all of the LED ceiling lamps are installed and energized. Everyone that sees the ceiling boxes says with 20 dual lamp fixtures, its going to look like an airport in the building. Ha! I tell everyone....who am I to argue with Platonic and Pro-Lighting... :thumbup:







 
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ahazi

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Jan 4, 2015
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Foozle said:
I have a 60' x 50' shop with 14' ceilings. Based on a

Anyone have a recommendation for something similar that can be flush mounted reasonably? I looked at the Lumegens but they also don't have a flush mount kit, that I can see.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Is this what you are looking for (see attached)?

Ariel
 

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Foozle

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Mar 24, 2015
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ahazi said:
Is this what you are looking for (see attached)?

Ariel
Click to expand...

Yes, this looks like it would work. Has anyone used the Aelo high bay fixtures and have any experience with them? Do they have all the certifications, etc? Also, any recommended distributor to buy from?

Thanks!
 
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gobeer net

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61
Location
Arkansas river valley
Using the www.visual-3d.com tool I get notably different results with similar fixtures.
33'x26'x9' garage
12x Lithonia SB 232 fixtures = 61fc
12x Lithonia 3348 fixtures = 42 fc

I found many mentions of wrap around fixtures in this thread, but no performance comparisons. What is the difference in wrap around fixtures? Ballast, Lens, ??
If I'm going to remove the ballast and use bypass lamps, is there a performance advantage of the more expensive fixture?
 
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ahazi

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55
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Foozle,

Foozle said:
Yes, this looks like it would work. Has anyone used the Aelo high bay fixtures and have any experience with them? Do they have all the certifications, etc? Also, any recommended distributor to buy from?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I bought them from http://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/Default.asp who dropped shipped them to me from their supplier in California. I paid $110- for 10 pairs of brackets.

I used 9 ea. of these lights (link)
and 1 ea of a similar fixture from Bees Lighting (link)

They are pretty much identical fixtures except for the built in threaded inserts (for the brackets) in the Diva unit and having to use self tapping sheet metal screws in the James units.

My shop is an irregular shape of about 40x25 feet with 11 feet ceiling. I have plenty of evenly distributed 5,000K light. I love it!!!

In my opinion the most useful feature of these light fixtures is the super good dimming characteristics (1-10 volt signal). The lights at full power are too bright for having it lit all the time at full intensity, it also consumes a total just over 1 KWh which can translate to about 300 KWh per month (30% of my entire household consumption!) and at $0.15 (min rate) per KWh it quickly becomes $550 per year. By dimming the lights to the actually needed level, the power consumption goes down by a factor of about 4(!) This is a big difference. In addition I am putting in motion detectors to fully dim it when there is no one in the shop which reduces power further to about 50W for all the 10 fixtures while still keeping useful light just in case.

I can post pictures if anyone is interested.

Another reason for my sensitivity about power consumption is my solar system. I am just about breakeven or slightly positive and I would like to keep it this way...

I hope this helps.

Ariel
 
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devildog1205

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Oct 7, 2015
Messages
81
Gerry347 said:
Can I ask what LED lights you used?? I want to add a couple of those same light to my shop.



Thanks!!!
Click to expand...



Gerry- Check out post 1187 in this thread. I documented my interior and exterior fixture purchases there. I also included links to the manufactures websites if your interested.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Foozle

Member
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Mar 24, 2015
Messages
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Ariel,

Do you think the surface brackets would work on the Alphalite equivalent linked below? The dimensions all look the same between the various units. Also, the links you sent previously were for the Diva and James, but the brackets were from Aleo, correct? The same vendor has Aleo fixtures, which would 100% be compatible, but they only seem to have the 95 watt Aleo for the same price as the Alphalite, so would prefer going with Alphalite if the mounting would work. Thanks!

http://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/EHB2-13-p/ehb2-110.htm


ahazi said:
Foozle,
I bought them from http://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/Default.asp who dropped shipped them to me from their supplier in California. I paid $110- for 10 pairs of brackets.

I used 9 ea. of these lights (link)
and 1 ea of a similar fixture from Bees Lighting (link)

They are pretty much identical fixtures except for the built in threaded inserts (for the brackets) in the Diva unit and having to use self tapping sheet metal screws in the James units.

My shop is an irregular shape of about 40x25 feet with 11 feet ceiling. I have plenty of evenly distributed 5,000K light. I love it!!!

In my opinion the most useful feature of these light fixtures is the super good dimming characteristics (1-10 volt signal). The lights at full power are too bright for having it lit all the time at full intensity, it also consumes a total just over 1 KWh which can translate to about 300 KWh per month (30% of my entire household consumption!) and at $0.15 (min rate) per KWh it quickly becomes $550 per year. By dimming the lights to the actually needed level, the power consumption goes down by a factor of about 4(!) This is a big difference. In addition I am putting in motion detectors to fully dim it when there is no one in the shop which reduces power further to about 50W for all the 10 fixtures while still keeping useful light just in case.

I can post pictures if anyone is interested.

Another reason for my sensitivity about power consumption is my solar system. I am just about breakeven or slightly positive and I would like to keep it this way...

I hope this helps.

Ariel
Click to expand...
 
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ahazi

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Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Messages
55
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Foozle said:
Ariel,

Do you think the surface brackets would work on the Alphalite equivalent linked below? The dimensions all look the same between the various units. Also, the links you sent previously were for the Diva and James, but the brackets were from Aleo, correct? The same vendor has Aleo fixtures, which would 100% be compatible, but they only seem to have the 95 watt Aleo for the same price as the Alphalite, so would prefer going with Alphalite if the mounting would work. Thanks!

http://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/EHB2-13-p/ehb2-110.htm
Click to expand...

Yes, it looks identical to what I have, it should work.
Few notes:
  1. You have to install the brackets to the ceiling first and then the lights
  2. If you can have the j-box close to the middle of where you want the light you will be able to hide the cable. My boxes ended up about 1 ft away so I had to figure out a nice way of getting the cable through
  3. Add 2 additional wires for the 1-10 volt dimming, it's worth it. I had only 1 wire available so I had to play some electronic circuit tricks...

Good luck!
Ariel
 
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Foozle

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2015
Messages
22
ahazi said:
Yes, it looks identical to what I have, it should work.
Few notes:
  1. You have to install the brackets to the ceiling first and then the lights
  2. If you can have the j-box close to the middle of where you want the light you will be able to hide the cable. My boxes ended up about 1 ft away so I had to figure out a nice way of getting the cable through
  3. Add 2 additional wires for the 1-10 volt dimming, it's worth it. I had only 1 wire available so I had to play some electronic circuit tricks...

Good luck!
Ariel
Click to expand...

Ariel,

I haven't run any wiring yet, so hopefully can get the boxes close to middle of the fixtures. Do you know the type of wire needed for the 1-10 volt dimming? I was going to run 12/2 for the main electric line to each fixture, but haven't had dimming connected up before. Will either do 6 sets of light switches (controlling 4 each), or 3 sets controlling 8 fixtures. What amp breaker did you use for your setup and how many fixtures on a breaker?

Also, for my 60x50 shop, I was going to do 24 fixtures. Platonic had previously recommended 20 fixtures, but since I have 6 discreet ceiling bays, I decided to make things even out and do 24 (6 rows of 4), so hopefully will be sufficient.

Thanks for the advice.
 
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ahazi

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Jan 4, 2015
Messages
55
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Foozle said:
Ariel,

I haven't run any wiring yet, so hopefully can get the boxes close to middle of the fixtures. Do you know the type of wire needed for the 1-10 volt dimming? I was going to run 12/2 for the main electric line to each fixture, but haven't had dimming connected up before. Will either do 6 sets of light switches (controlling 4 each), or 3 sets controlling 8 fixtures. What amp breaker did you use for your setup and how many fixtures on a breaker?

Also, for my 60x50 shop, I was going to do 24 fixtures. Platonic had previously recommended 20 fixtures, but since I have 6 discreet ceiling bays, I decided to make things even out and do 24 (6 rows of 4), so hopefully will be sufficient.

Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...

Each of the light fixtures draws about 1 amp without dimming. You can safely use #14 wire for up to 15 fixtures in a circuit, no need for #12 if the 24 lights are NOT on the same circuit.

Your total maximum current draw for all the lights will be 24 amp which will require 30 amp breaker and #10 wires throughout per the electrical code. If you have enough space on your panel split it into three 15 amp breakers and use #14 wire throughout for each circuit, it is much easier to work with #14.

I was initially planning to use 2 light switches for my 1,000 sf shop but ended up using 1 switch with a dimmer and I am very happy about that. I wired everything with 14/3 Romex. I ended up using the 3rd wire for the dimming but I had to put some extra electronics because I was missing a wire. My circuit breaker is 15 amp which is enough for 10 lights.

For the dimming wires you can use 18/2 or 16/2 wire as it is very low current. I found this wire (link) to be cost effective for wiring.

You will need switch/dimmer that supports 1-10 volt dimming.

Ariel
 
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AP514

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Jan 23, 2014
Messages
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Location
Pearland, Tx
Hey anyone have a listing for retro fit kits for old T12 Fixture W/96" bulbs...my buddy wants to take a few of my old T12's and retro to direct T8-48" LED bulbs (no Ballast).

So looking for Fixture Kit.(toombstones middle piece and wire for around $10-$11)..thought I had seen some when I was doing my Lights but can not seem to find them ATM
I did find some for $8 that you have to wire. He might go with them.

Any help would be great....

AP514
 
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pointer80

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Jul 8, 2015
Messages
112
Location
North Central Michigan
I ordered 3 more light fixtures from Bees lighting and they were different than the first 21 I ordered. They are not as wide as the first ones. They had the same order number on the site etc. So if you order light fixtures order them all together so they will all be the same.
 
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gumbellion

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Jul 4, 2014
Messages
38
Has anyone found a Canadian supplier for the fixtures on Page One with reasonable shipping and prices? The 2 places i have called its cheaper for me to get them shipped to the boarder and drive to the states, and pay the duty and taxes

Edit: I got a price from a Canadian suppler.
25/fixture plus 16/bulb=57CAD
rough estimate from USA=38CAD shipped to boarder
 
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trippeee

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Dec 29, 2016
Messages
7
I found these for $5.55 each or $5.25 if you buy in multiples of 25. Free shipping with a $99 order. The company has a pretty liberal return policy so damaged defective bulbs get exchanged for free with no shipping cost to consumer. These are hybrid, T8 ballast compatible or single end wiring. Seems like a great price on a pretty high efficiency bulb.

UL, DLC Listed
Power: 18W
Color: 4000K, 5000K
CRI: > 80
Ambient temperature: -20°C - +45°C
Input Voltage: AC120-277V
Power Factor: ≥ 0.90
Lifespan: 50,000 hours
Lumens: 2340
Lumens Per Watt (LPW): 120-130LPW
Beam Angle (°): >220°
Warranty: 3 years
Base Type: G13
Materials: Glass
IP Rating: IP20
Trim: Clear, Frosted

https://greenlightdepot.com/collect...s/led-glass-tube-18w-ab?variant=5952806682662

I am questioning the beam angle though. All I have seen recommended here have ~120 angle. I'm using some rewired T12 fixtures with wide reflectors I got at Lowes for $10 with my military discount. I'm hoping the wide reflectors disperse the light well in my 8.5' high garage.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-Linear-Shop-Light-Common-4-ft-Actual-4-55-in-x-47-92-in/4013481


Any one see any issues using these bulbs?
 
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Platonic Solid

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trippeee - Wide beam spread is good for 8ft ceiling, though the reflector on that fixture is actually cutting off some of that beam spread. The angled reflector on that fixture would make a 120° beam spread wider, don't expect it would have much effect on a 220° beam spread. Only thing I don't care for is the glass bulb especially without a diffuser at your 8ft mounting height.
 
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trippeee

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Dec 29, 2016
Messages
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PS - thanks for the feedback again. Yes the glass is a concern. The cheap half of me says "hey I haven't busted any of my glass florescent bulbs for the past 10 years...". The do it right part says spend the extra $50-$60 and do it right. Kind of a no brainer as I type this out. :lol_hitti

And for continued knowledge in this thread, You are saying a wider beam spread is good for a lower ceiling? And these reflectors impede the beam spread but are not a huge factor?
 
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Platonic Solid

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trippeee - Yes, wider beam spread works well with lower ceilings.

As far as the fixture you linked to - Outer reflector forms narrow beam spread, but angle of lamp holders increase beam spread :wtf:. Obviously the fixture was designed for fluorescent lamps with 360° beam.
 
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cory58

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Dec 23, 2015
Messages
234
Location
Charlotte, NC
pointer80 said:
I ordered 3 more light fixtures from Bees lighting and they were different than the first 21 I ordered. They are not as wide as the first ones. They had the same order number on the site etc. So if you order light fixtures order them all together so they will all be the same.
Click to expand...



This post got me worried, because I had just received my second batch of the Maxlite fixtures from Bees. Thankfully they are exactly the same as the batch I ordered in the fall of 2016. We'll see what happens with my final order next month.

Cory


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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Velocity-Duck

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Panama City, FL
Not sure of the protocol here for requesting help. I've looked through this thread (but not all 61 pages).

I've got a ~500sq/ft shop I'm building out and I'm trying to determine the optimal amount of light needed at the workbench. I used 8' florescent tubes in the last shop (10 years ago). Looks like LED's are the way to go now.

Ceiling height is 8' along the north wall and 10' at the south wall.

Any help or recommendations would be appreciated. (floorplan is attached)
 

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Toomanytools?

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Messages
855
Location
Washington
Velocity-Duck said:
Not sure of the protocol here for requesting help. I've looked through this thread (but not all 61 pages).

I've got a ~500sq/ft shop I'm building out and I'm trying to determine the optimal amount of light needed at the workbench. I used 8' florescent tubes in the last shop (10 years ago). Looks like LED's are the way to go now.

Ceiling height is 8' along the north wall and 10' at the south wall.

Any help or recommendations would be appreciated. (floorplan is attached)
Click to expand...
Well you need to read all 64 pages...ok not. It is usually recommended to have 100FC of light at a 30" work space. LED's have come way down cost wise in the last few years and are a good option, you can retro fit old fixtures with LED tubes or buy a whole new fixture. It seems recommendations of fixtures/tubes changes on a monthly basis. I'm still going down that rabbit hole. Platonic most likely will chime in look at some of the old posts and you will find a similar size shop to yours for a layout.
 
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Foozle

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2015
Messages
22
ahazi said:
Each of the light fixtures draws about 1 amp without dimming. You can safely use #14 wire for up to 15 fixtures in a circuit, no need for #12 if the 24 lights are NOT on the same circuit.

Your total maximum current draw for all the lights will be 24 amp which will require 30 amp breaker and #10 wires throughout per the electrical code. If you have enough space on your panel split it into three 15 amp breakers and use #14 wire throughout for each circuit, it is much easier to work with #14.

I was initially planning to use 2 light switches for my 1,000 sf shop but ended up using 1 switch with a dimmer and I am very happy about that. I wired everything with 14/3 Romex. I ended up using the 3rd wire for the dimming but I had to put some extra electronics because I was missing a wire. My circuit breaker is 15 amp which is enough for 10 lights.

For the dimming wires you can use 18/2 or 16/2 wire as it is very low current. I found this wire (link) to be cost effective for wiring.

You will need switch/dimmer that supports 1-10 volt dimming.

Ariel
Click to expand...

Ariel,

Any recommendations on dimmer switches? I went to Home Depot and they didn't appear to have any that take the separate 1-10 volt dimming wire. Will something like this work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJIUH4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I plan to connect 8 fixtures to one switch. Do you know if I can daisy chain the dimmer wire from fixture to fixture and then run the one wire down to the dimmer switch, similar to what I would do with the main 14/2 wire?

Also, just as an fyi, the Aleo surface mounting brackets appear to be compatible with the Alphalite linear high bays, so that was good news. Here are links to the two products:

Fixture from Alphalite:
http://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/EHB2-13-p/ehb2-110.htm

Mounting bracket from Aleo:
http://www.aleolighting.com/index.php/portfolio_item/slb-2/#accessories
Note that I couldn't find a separate link for the bracket, but it would be the bracket that goes with this fixture. The Item number on the invoice was: SMB-SLB-4L and was $11.25 per fixture.


Thanks
 
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ahazi

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Jan 4, 2015
Messages
55
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Foozle said:
Ariel,

Any recommendations on dimmer switches? I went to Home Depot and they didn't appear to have any that take the separate 1-10 volt dimming wire. Will something like this work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJIUH4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Click to expand...

Yes, this will work.

I plan to connect 8 fixtures to one switch. Do you know if I can daisy chain the dimmer wire from fixture to fixture and then run the one wire down to the dimmer switch, similar to what I would do with the main 14/2 wire?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can daisy chain it just like regular wiring.

Also, just as an fyi, the Aleo surface mounting brackets appear to be compatible with the Alphalite linear high bays, so that was good news.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I figured out that they are all pretty much the same as they are all competing for the same customers.

Good luck and let us know how it worked out.

Ariel
 
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Platonic Solid

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Foozle said:
Also, just as an fyi, the Aleo surface mounting brackets appear to be compatible with the Alphalite linear high bays, so that was good news.
Click to expand...
Since mounting bracket availability and compatibility is an ongoing issue, please provide links to exact fixture and brackets purchased. :beer:
 
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JoeMayo

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Oct 20, 2011
Messages
65
Location
Gulfport MS
I installed my LIGHTUP 2640lm bulbs.. 5000k.. I'm probably going to change them.. they aren't bright at all.
 
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