Dumb lighting question

[zip95864]

I want to get lighting similar to 44bikes' workshop:

I currently have 8 foot long flourescent lights ---- can I just remove the current flourescent lights and replace with with three CFL's separated by conduit?

Thanks!

 

[pattenp]

Sure, if that's what you want.

 

[rquackenbush]

Just out of curiosity, what are you trying to achieve? Are you just trying to put the lights in more useful locations (rather than over cabinets)? Or are you trying to add additional lights? If you're adding additional lamps, you'll need to make sure you don't exceed the amperage capacity of the circuit you're on (including all of the lights / receptacles / loads).

What else is on that circuit and how many fixtures do you plan on having?

 

[zip95864]

Just out of curiosity, what are you trying to achieve? Are you just trying to put the lights in more useful locations (rather than over cabinets)? Or are you trying to add additional lights? If you're adding additional lamps, you'll need to make sure you don't exceed the amperage capacity of the circuit you're on (including all of the lights / receptacles / loads).

What else is on that circuit and how many fixtures do you plan on having?

1. It's a pain changing 8 foot long bulbs
2. I hate the humming
3. I do want the ability to put the lights in more custom locations
4. Bonus is that I think I'll be saving electricity by replacing these long suckers with a few CFL's

I had asked my dad to help me with it (he's very handy, but not an electrician by any means) and he also brought up the amperage issue and suggested I do the research before we wire it.

How do I calculate the amperage currently being drawn and compare that to the amperage of say 3-4 20Watt CFL bulbs?

 

[porschedude996TT]

I do like the look of the hanging Barn Lights, but they are not very efficient reflectors. You could surface mount all the conduit and hang just about anything.

What are you after the look or an easy way to hang the lights? If I were you I would mount boxes in the ceiling and use romex. That would be cheaper.

Here is a link to a barn light... http://www.vintagehardware.com/proddetail.php?prod=28491

Volt x amps = watts

also

watts/120volts = amps

The fixtures will have a max rating on them, you should use that to figure the worst case. Electrical Code is all about protecting you and the next guy who owns the property. If the circuit is going to have 10 of these say 60 watt maximum fixtures, you add them up and come up with that maximum value in watts and divide by the voltage. So 600 watts divided by the voltage (120vac) is 5 amps. A single lighting circuit can handle 15 amps. Look and find what else is on the circuit. If there are electrical outlets on there as well, then you may have a breaker trip nuisance. It would be safe, just a nuisance. If you plan on using the CFL’s then they should only require 2 amps in the above rather than 5 amps and you could combine the lighting and the outlets. Problem in doing this is that if you were ever to have an outlet load and it take out the breaker, you are in the dark.

 

[firecracker]

I had 8foot flourescent tubes but they are getting very expencive, so I'm slowly replacing them with 5foot ones, they are a lot brighter and have a smaller neater tube.

 

[zip95864]

I do like the look of the hanging Barn Lights, but they are not very efficient reflectors. You could surface mount all the conduit and hang just about anything.

What are you after the look or an easy way to hang the lights? If I were you I would mount boxes in the ceiling and use romex. That would be cheaper.

Here is a link to a barn light... http://www.vintagehardware.com/proddetail.php?prod=28491

Volt x amps = watts

also

watts/120volts = amps

The fixtures will have a max rating on them, you should use that to figure the worst case. Electrical Code is all about protecting you and the next guy who owns the property. If the circuit is going to have 10 of these say 60 watt maximum fixtures, you add them up and come up with that maximum value in watts and divide by the voltage. So 600 watts divided by the voltage (120vac) is 5 amps. A single lighting circuit can handle 15 amps. Look and find what else is on the circuit. If there are electrical outlets on there as well, then you may have a breaker trip nuisance. It would be safe, just a nuisance. If you plan on using the CFL’s then they should only require 2 amps in the above rather than 5 amps and you could combine the lighting and the outlets. Problem in doing this is that if you were ever to have an outlet load and it take out the breaker, you are in the dark.

Okay, so I currently have 2 pairs of T12's. Looking online looks like they might be 110watts per bulb. 4 x 110 Watts = 440 Watts/120V = 3.6 AMPS

In my new scenario, if I have 6 x 25 Watt CFL bulbs = 150 Watts/120V = 1.25 AMPS

So, there is no problem with doing this, amp wise, correct?

 

[porschedude996TT]

Okay, so I currently have 2 pairs of T12's. Looking online looks like they might be 110watts per bulb. 4 x 110 Watts = 440 Watts/120V = 3.6 AMPS

In my new scenario, if I have 6 x 25 Watt CFL bulbs = 150 Watts/120V = 1.25 AMPS

So, there is no problem with doing this, amp wise, correct?

One small hick-up but it should make it better for you. With a florescent fixture, you need to go the Ballast Transformer inside the fixture or the label on the fixture to see what the amperage draw is, rather than the sum of the tubes with a florescent fixture. There is an energy loss with the Ballast Transformer.

With six CFL’s or six 60 watt bulbs you should be good. Looks like your electrical load it less than before.

 

[BillK]

Zip,
The first thing I would do is go get one of those lights and hang it up on the ceiling using an extension cord to power it. I don't think you are going to be real happy with the amount of light you will get. Try it with the other lights off and see what you think.

Just my opinion,

 

[zip95864]

Zip,
The first thing I would do is go get one of those lights and hang it up on the ceiling using an extension cord to power it. I don't think you are going to be real happy with the amount of light you will get. Try it with the other lights off and see what you think.

Just my opinion,

Good idea, will do.