Kim Lighting Lightvault In-Slab Lighting

[joecole23]

I've been SEARCHING for an in-slab lighting solution for my garage project that's set to break ground in 3 weeks. I want to install in-slab lighting beneath the lifts, to illuminate the underside of the car from below. Kim Lighting's Lightvault in-grade lights look perfect!

From their product catalogue:

Lightvault®luminaires are designed to be exposed to the most abusive environment of all lighting systems. In-grade components under continuous attack from moisture, caustic fertilizers, soluble minerals, and ultra-violet radiation from HID lamps, are made from a choice of solid bronze or high strength glass reinforced composite."

However, I'm worried about the lens temperature, since I'll be standing on or near them. For their LTV50 9" fixture, only the 32W compact fluorescent bulb is cool enough to stand on (45 celsius). The trade-off, however, seems to be light output. When I plug the IES file for this light into my Visual Lighting Software, it says it puts out only 2.5 footcandles at 6 feet off the ground!

Does anyone have any experience with these fixtures, or recommendations on which fixture and lamp will provide adequate light without burning my feet?

 

[6t7gto]

Unless you have seen this firsthand, I would think in floor lighting would cast a large shadow on the work area from you standing in the way.
david.

 

[mrb]

have you priced them? That stuff is like $300 a fixture and up. Second, I think you will have alot of problems with glare, and last what happens when you drop a heavy wrench on the lens?

 

[joecole23]

Yeah, they're not cheap. Rock sheilds are available to protect the lens, however.

The only place I've seen in-slab lighting is in Richard Griot's personal garage. That's what gave me the idea!

http://blog.cardomain.com/2009/03/24/griots-garage-is-really-cool/

 

[boiler7904]

I've worked with a lot of custom / special order light fixtures in the past but I don't have personal experience with that unit.

In a truck repair facility I worked on last year, we had 4' long lensed fluorescents installed on the wall vertically about 3 ft on center along the length of the lift. Seemed to work OK but it kills that wall for storage and equipment / tool boxes unless they are short enough to be below the bottom of each fixture.

Lead time from when you place the order to actual delivery would kill the 3 week window of when you want to start your foundation. Without looking up the cut sheet, I would guess that there is a fixture specific tub / back box that gets set before the slab is placed and then the concrete is placed around / under the tub.

Commercial fixtures like that are made to order so the lead time can be months - not weeks. Doesn't matter how early you order custom fixtures, they're always late unless your electrician, supply house, and manufacturer's rep are on top of their game. You'd be surprised at how many 14 or 16 week lead time fixtures aren't ordered until 10 or 12 weeks before a job is supposed to be complete. Makes for some tense and interesting meetings - especially when the contractor is given approval to order fixtures 6 months before project completion. I've been down the road a few times from the Architect / Owner's Rep side of things.

 

[GearBeer]

I think there are some simpler strategies than this out there. You're venturing into expensive and untested territory here.

There are a couple guys on my Torino forum who have made roll-around fluorescent fixtures for use underneath their cars. The both took normal 48" fixtures and mounted small casters underneath. One used a spare strip of plastic (polycarbonate, maybe) to protect the bulb from fluids and the other used a wire mesh cage that came with the fixture. I would recommend the plastic covering.

I guess what I'm getting at is, while they're not as cool as in-slab lighting, they're sure a lot more affordable (both were <$20) and if you don't like them you can re-work them or pitch them in the trash.

 

[joecole23]

Lead time from when you place the order to actual delivery would kill the 3 week window of when you want to start your foundation.

Good point. I've been trying to get my local resaler for Kim Lighting on the phone, but no luck yet. Hopefully I can determine pricing and availability today.

GearBeer - good point also. I'm 50/50 at this point on these in-slab lights. I think they would be AWESOME from a show garage standpoint, but I'm not sure they're worth the effort and the cost if they're only going to throw up <5 footcandles at 6' off the ground.

I'll update the thread when I get pricing and availability.

Thanks guys!

 

[boiler7904]

Have you tried the Rep for Northern Texas?

They probably can't sell directly to you but they could point to a local supply house that can.

 

[joecole23]

Yep, Mike Sanders at Hossley Lighting is the guy I've been leaving messages for. We'll see if he has time to call me back today.