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High lumen LED bulb vs 4 foot strip

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HoosierMark

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I am working on finishing my 36 x 60 x14 pole barn and will probably not have the ceiling in and the lights up for some time. I have a new security light to install on the outside of the building and it occurred to me that I could hook it up temporarily at ceiling height for a temporary interior light to supplement the LED dual head pole light I have. I have an extension cord with the end missing and will just wire it up and plug it in when I am working out there.

So this has led me to think, the bulb says it is 5,000 lumen, 300 watt equivalent and uses 50 watts. It is to last 25,000 hours or 22.8 years based upon 3 hours per day. GT-lite model GT-CB-50.SKU 3533102 The cost was $19.99

My question is why could you not install regular screw in electric fixtures and put these bulbs in the ceiling for light. What would the pluses and minuses be for this type of installation? It says they are designed for use in barn lights, they are a medium base E 26 socket. Obviously I know it can be done, you can do most anything but is it as good as the strip lights for lighting the work area?
I am not into all the foot candles, area coverage etc too much. I just need to put some lights up so I can work out there in relative comfort. I will have three switched sections to the barn. One for a workshop area, one for a lift and general mechanical and one for storage. About 20 x 36 each, use will be about 5 hours per week on average at best.
 
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cybrdyke

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You're right. You can do anything. And if it works for you, that's great.
With the limited number of hours you'll be using these, going the cheap route is one option.
These are called "corn cob" lights. The description of their use is pretty accurate, so you might find them acceptable. There are a number of folks on this forum that have done what you described and are perfectly happy.
However, if you wanted to do a proper lighting job in your space, you'd use the linear fixtures. The difference is that the linear will spread the light out over a larger area and will maximize the use of the ceiling and walls as reflectors. All of this results in a more even, less contrast-ey area.
Linear is usually more efficient and lasts longer, as well.
But, again.....at only 5 hours per week, it probably wont matter much to you.
 
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Platonic Solid

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"What would the pluses and minuses be for this type of installation?"

+ None
- Extremely Uneven Light Distrbution. Poor life span. Annoying glare.

Looking at the bulb (link), 90% of those 5000 lumens is going out the sides. Great if you're working on the walls at 14' elevation. Useless for doing anything on the ground.

"Is it as good as the strip lights for lighting the work area?" Not even close. Strip lights aim the light down where you need it.

"I am not into all the foot candles, area coverage etc too much. I just need to put some lights up so I can work out there in relative comfort."

Your level of comfort (and likely how often you use it) is proportional to how convenient the space is to use. Don't underestimate the value of a well lit space.

Fixture and Layout suggestion:

https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/ZY-H2-110W-p/zy-h2-110w.htm

Qty.15, 3x5 pattern layout (spaced 12' apart) yields ~90fc @ 30" workplane.

$73.50 x 15 = $1102.50
 
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HoosierMark

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Thank you Platonic Solid, you answered my questions. That is why I posted. I will abandon that idea now that I see the error of my ideas.
 
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PWC Repair

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HoosierMark said:
Thank you Platonic Solid, you answered my questions. That is why I posted. I will abandon that idea now that I see the error of my ideas.
Click to expand...

Yes, thank you Platonic. You are a great asset to this forum with willingness to take your time to help others you don't even know. You have also helped me out in the past. Thanks to all regular forum members willing to lend their expertise.:beer:
 
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HoosierMark

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PS I was reviewing your comments further and am confused. With my building being 36 x 60 (14 high) and putting the lights 12 foot apart that comes out to 8 lights. But you are also saying a 3 x 5 grid and 15 lights. If I go a with five lights across that is 10 foot apart in length and 9 foot apart in depth and almost double the amount of lighting. Being cheap I naturally like the 8 count. But I also heed your advice that a well lit space is an enjoyable space.
Also I keep reading bits and pieces about dimming lights. I always think of dimming for a dining room or mood lighting. I never thought about it in a pole barn. Could somebody give me an example of when or why I might want to dim my pole barn lights?
 
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HoosierMark

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It only took me three times to figure out the drawing. You have the lights 6 foot from the outside walls. I was starting them at 12 foot and running out of building before I completed the layout. Now I understand. I am such "balance" person that I see everything pretty much in equal distance and kept seeing what I expected. I was concerned about light around the interior perimeter of the building and now it all makes sense. Thank you for being patient with me!
 
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HoosierMark

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So platonic has schooled me on what lights I need and where to put them. I am going to install dimmer wire also (18 gauge). I checked one place and dimmer switches were approximately $50 each. Where is the best and cheapest place to buy them from? I will need three.
 
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Platonic Solid

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The lowest cost method of dimming is to separate the dimming function from the On/Off switching function with a dimmer like this (link). You can use 1 dimmer for all 15 lights and still wire individual On/Off zones. Or you can wire all 15 110W fixtures to a single standard $1 15A switch.

Note - Do not connect 2 dimmers of any style to the same fixture.
 
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Labradar

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I ran a bunch of the 4 foot LED "flourescent-style" units in my garage. Love them and you can link a ton of them together.
 
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cybrdyke

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Platonic Solid said:
The lowest cost method of dimming is to separate the dimming function from the On/Off switching function with a dimmer like this (link). You can use 1 dimmer for all 15 lights and still wire individual On/Off zones. Or you can wire all 15 110W fixtures to a single standard $1 15A switch.

Note - Do not connect 2 dimmers of any style to the same fixture.
Click to expand...

The device you linked is $15 cheaper than this one...https://www.amazon.com/Cooper-Wiring-Devices-SF10P-V-Dimmer-0-10V/dp/B00HJIUGP0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549044217&sr=8-2&keywords=sf10p. But running the power circuit to one device and the control circuit to another device seems duplicitous. Plus, your method would have two devices that dont have the same aesthetics. Functionally, I'd prefer to have all the controls in one device in one location. We're already used to how these work.
Cost wise, regular 15A switches cost less than a dollar. In a 3 zone space, you'd need 3 of those and 3 low voltage dimmers, unless you want one dimmer to dim all zones at once (which doesn't work well if other folks are working in another zone). That's 6 devices. Total cost about $80 for material and some nominal extra cost to connect 6 devices...more electrical boxes, etc. Functionally, I'd have to remember which dimmer went with which zone and with which switch....it's just not ergonomic.
If you went with just one dimmer, then it would be cheaper. Still, it's odd having on/off on one device and dimming control on another. That would cost around $27 in material and would be much easier to wire up.
With a combination switch, on/off/dim, you'd only need 3 devices (assuming each zone is less than 8A total, or 8 of the 110w fixtures). Total cost just under $120 for material. For me, the extra $40 is worth it to have more familiar functionality, full control of each zone, and on/off/dim in one device.
But that's just me....
CD
 
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Platonic Solid

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CD - I like the dimming only method cause you don't have to worry about wattage. 1 dimmer does the whole space. It's a garage after all - set it and forget it. The fact is that one $25 dimmer is a lot cheaper than the $80 you have to spend for minimum 2 Cooper dimmers (due to its wattage limitation).
 
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hardtrailz

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HoosierMark

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I called LED Lighting wholesale and they said that the ZY-h2-110w is the old generation and he said the new generation is H5-100W-xyz. 13000Lumens Price is $73.50 From a novice it looks like the main difference is the lower lumens. Green light depot has the old lights for $83.33. Is it worth the extra $10 per fixture for the 2,500 more lumens? Or is it better to have the new generation lighting?
 
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mike93lx

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I would put maybe 4-6 lights, spread throughout, on a single switch then the rest on another. Cheaper than a dimmer and likely more durable (electronic dimmer vs basic rocker switch)
 
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HoosierMark

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Thanks for "mudding the water" P.S. ha ha. I am trying to figure out what the difference is between the first two on the page. I see there is a price difference but every thing else seems to be identical. I think I could be happy with either so I would go with price I guess. It appears the lens cover is different between them but otherwise I did not see anything. So what am I missing and should I choose one over the other? Per your recommendation I have my ceiling wired for 15 light in a 3 x 5 grid pattern and now just need to acquire and install the lights.
 
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woodee

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I just ordered 3 of the maxlite 3 lamp linears to replace the ceramic base units in my garage. I figured I can add more later if I like them. It seemed like a no brainer for under $30 per unit.
 
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Platonic Solid

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Well this is interesting. HoosierMark says the $55.99 is discontinued and Daubs just ordered 6 of them. I have to assume that means they are in stock for purchase and will not be restocked.
 
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HoosierMark

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When I talked to the company they told me they were both discontinued lights. I had originally ask what the difference was. Here is the response I got from them:

"Just the design of them is different but both of them are discontinued. Because we are coming out with a new model in about 3 weeks. " This was from Michael Henderson, Senior Sales Engineer

So that is what I based my statement on. I had ask what the difference was for the $55.99 versus the $58.99 models. I assume they are clearing out their inventory.
 
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