Another Lighting Option-

[Fast Orange]

I saw something new in lighting this week-
For guys thinking of using metalhalide highbay lights,check out the new fixtures coming out that use 54w T-5 high output flourescents.I put up a couple of demo units at work that put out more light than any highbay I've ever seen and used less energy doing it.The lamps are part of how they work,but a super reflective focused reflector seems to be a big part of the efficiency also.
From what I've been told,they cost less than the MH fixtures,are cheaper to operate and come on instantly like a regular flourescent.I'm still waiting on an answer as to how they will work in a cold environment like an unheated garage.
The demo units I put up were about 12' off the floor-I wouldn't use them any lower than that-it would be way too bright if they were installed any lower.

George

 

[bmwpower]

They will come on instantly.

Watch out for the ballasts in these things. They tend to get pretty hot and sometime fail because of the intense heat over time.

I do agree though, the light they put out is really nice.

 

[dboat]

sounds nice.. maybe an upgrade for my 8foot flouro's... how much and post pics please..
Dana

 

[FEF]

So...

Are you thinking something like a 6 bulb fixture like this one??

http://www.prolighting.com/6lat5flhibay.html

 

[Charles (in GA)]

High bay lights are designed to operate from 20 ft and up. Below 20 ft their light is too focused and not widely dispersed and they create too much glare.

Low bay lights, no matter if flourescent or MH or sodium or mercury, all are designed to spread the light at greater angles to provide more horizontal lighting for detail work.

Charles

 

[FEF]

My walls are 16'tall with a rafter height of about 20'

I an area that's about 15x40, I'm thinking that I might want about 2 of the 4 bulb versions. That might be plenty of light.

My first thought was a pair of these.
http://www.prolighting.com/crewbh20400ma-8.html
Now, I'm thinking 2 of these:
http://www.prolighting.com/4lat5flhibay.html

 

[Charles (in GA)]

My walls are 16'tall with a rafter height of about 20'

I an area that's about 15x40, I'm thinking that I might want about 2 of the 4 bulb versions. That might be plenty of light.

My first thought was a pair of these.
http://www.prolighting.com/crewbh20400ma-8.html
Now, I'm thinking 2 of these:
http://www.prolighting.com/4lat5flhibay.html

As previously noted, T5 ballast get VERY hot, and have experienced a higher failure rate than older lighting systems. (newer product teething problems I suppose) so be sure they are mounted where they are not exposed to super hign ambient temps, such as too close to the roof of the building, and make darn sure you use 90C/194F rated wire to the fixtures. Alot of the Romex, expecially older stuff is only 60C or 75C rated. I sure the data plate on the light fixture will specify the 90C rated wire. The temp rating will be marked directly on the wire.

Charles

 

[FEF]

HUMmmmmmm

Well... As it is, there's at least 1' between the light fixture and where dry wall will be some day. I could drop it another foot, if need be. But, that's about as good as it will get.

I'm also planning on having my lights be 220v. I wonder if that will make it less hot?

I'm still batteling with lighting questions. My ceiling is about 18' high. What robust options are there? The T5's look real good on paper, for both cost and effecincy.

 

[bmwpower]

Only other one I know of is metal halide. You'll need high bays for that application. If price is a concern, try buying used. I have seen used metal halides on eBay since I bought mine at auction.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'm also planning on having my lights be 220v. I wonder if that will make it less hot?

Nope, double the volts, half the amps, same watts, same heat.

One thing to be sure of, if you go 240v on the lighting circuits, you will need double pole switches to open Both sides of the circuit going to the lights. With 120v you normally only open the hot side of the circuit and pass the netural thru to the fixture, no netural here, two hots, so a very real danger if you have a single pole switch and interrrupt only one of the hots (yes it will turn the lights on and off, just not safe.)

Charles

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Only other one I know of is metal halide. You'll need high bays for that application. If price is a concern, try buying used. I have seen used metal halides on eBay since I bought mine at auction.

normally you only want high bay HID lights when the fixture is mounted (with the bottom of the reflector) at 20 ft or more. If he hangs the fixture from the ceiling and the fixture is 18 to 24 inches high, then the light is leaving the fixture at around 16 ft, or possibly less. a low bay fixture would yield a better dispersal of the light fror detail work.

http://www.lithonia.com/products/groups/Fluorescent/I-Beam/default.asp

http://www.lithonia.com/products/Fa...Category=Low Bay&SubCategory=Acrylume Acrylic

Quoting from Lithonia.............

"Selecting the proper optical for your application is essential to obtain desirable results and a high quality lighting installation. Making the proper choice can become complicated with the many different aspects of a space to consider and the wide selection of optics from which to choose. Determining the mounting height for an application is the first step to narrowing the selection. HID lighting fixtures are grouped in two general categories of low bays and high bays. Low bays are for areas with mounting heights typically under 20 feet. High bays are designed for spaces with mounting heights of approximately 18 feet and higher."

Charles

 

[bmwpower]

normally you only want high bay HID lights when the fixture is mounted (with the bottom of the reflector) at 20 ft or more. If he hangs the fixture from the ceiling and the fixture is 18 to 24 inches high, then the light is leaving the fixture at around 16 ft, or possibly less. a low bay fixture would yield a better dispersal of the light fror detail work.

http://www.lithonia.com/products/groups/Fluorescent/I-Beam/default.asp

http://www.lithonia.com/products/Fa...Category=Low Bay&SubCategory=Acrylume Acrylic

Quoting from Lithonia.............

"Selecting the proper optical for your application is essential to obtain desirable results and a high quality lighting installation. Making the proper choice can become complicated with the many different aspects of a space to consider and the wide selection of optics from which to choose. Determining the mounting height for an application is the first step to narrowing the selection. HID lighting fixtures are grouped in two general categories of low bays and high bays. Low bays are for areas with mounting heights typically under 20 feet. High bays are designed for spaces with mounting heights of approximately 18 feet and higher."

Charles

You are correct. I saw his "20 foot rafter height" and forgot to subtract the fixture height. This assumes he's mounting at the rafter, which may or may not be true.

I guess 18-20 foot is a gray area since both models overlap in recommended height.