LED Ceiling Fixture Is Very Bright

[sk5223]

Hello, all.

Just installed an LED ceiling fixture - the type with built-in LEDs - similar to the attached photo. Looks great, but hese fixtures are much too bright for our use, even though this one is just 10" across and even though the package says 1050 lumens.

Does anybody here have any thoughts about using black tape across some of the little LEDs? Presumably they don’t get hot enough to cause a problem?

Or, perhaps using a sharpie to blacken the some of the LED bulbs?

Or any other suggestions, besides using a dimmer?

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[HemiChallenger]

I'd tint the cover long before I blacked out any LEDs.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Making a secondary lens filter would be the best place to start. Contrary to your statement, LEDs can get very hot, so check the flamability of any filter material you intend to test. Another method is to get some translucent white spray paint and give the lens interior a fine mist. Even a spray paint dusting of clear will reduce light output.

 

[404]

Fresnel diffuser instead of the regular cover?

https://www.google.com/search?q=fresnell+diffuser&gws_rd=ssl#q=fresnel+diffuser

 

[cybrdyke]

Those little diodes will burn right thru your tape and marker.
CD

 

[rlitman]

Those little diodes will burn right thru your tape and marker.
CD

Tape, probably (or it will just damage the fixture from the heat). Marker, won't hardly do anything.

Same issue if you shade the lens. Anything that reflects heat back is bad.

Aside from the obvious (and best) answer of a dimmer, the fresnel lens idea is a good one. Or perhaps you could add a diffuser.

 

[bzinsky]

Hello, all.

Just installed an LED ceiling fixture - the type with built-in LEDs - similar to the attached photo. Looks great, but hese fixtures are much too bright for our use, even though this one is just 10" across and even though the package says 1050 lumens.

Does anybody here have any thoughts about using black tape across some of the little LEDs? Presumably they don’t get hot enough to cause a problem?

Or, perhaps using a sharpie to blacken the some of the LED bulbs?

Or any other suggestions, besides using a dimmer?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Not sure when the last time you had a professional photo taken, but ya know these big white things that photographers carry? Well they are diffusers. When a lot of light comes from a single point, it can cause glare, or in your case hurt your eyes. The diffusers job is to simply spread the light source out so it does not feel like it's coming from one super bright point, like looking at the sun. It's the easiest way to have a lot of light, but without the glare.

I'm assuming it's not that it's too much light in the room, it's just that the source of the light is so bright it's irritating on the eyes.

Diffusing is probably your best option, as suggested earlier

 

[ishiboo]

Hello, all.

Just installed an LED ceiling fixture - the type with built-in LEDs - similar to the attached photo. Looks great, but hese fixtures are much too bright for our use, even though this one is just 10" across and even though the package says 1050 lumens.

Does anybody here have any thoughts about using black tape across some of the little LEDs? Presumably they don’t get hot enough to cause a problem?

Or, perhaps using a sharpie to blacken the some of the LED bulbs?

Or any other suggestions, besides using a dimmer?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Use a LED-compatible dimmer if it's dimmable.

 

[sk5223]

Many thanks for all the suggestions!

@bzinsky: My description prob. not very clear. It's not glare. These fixtures (I've looked at many) just have too many lumens. I guess those little LEDs are cheap.

Based on the advice above, I won't attempt tape or sharpies as a solution! But I will try to locate a fresnel lens as a secondary diffuser. If that doesn't work then translucent white paint will be next on my list.

If that doesn't reduce the light enough I'll have no choice but to install a dimmer.

Many thanks again.

 

[aka Larry]

Where did you get that fixture? How much was it?

 

[sk5223]

@Larry. Bought fixture at local lighting store - $60. Here is a link to an online merchant:
http://www.bright-on.ca/light-bulbs...ght-fixture-15w-3000k-1050lm-energy-star.html

Note that it's rated at 15W / 1050 lumens, roughly the equivalent of an incandescent 75W bulb. In real life it's more like a150 W incandescent!

 

[Two Sheds]

If you use a filter, you will trap the heat and reduce the life of the LEDs. If you use a dimmer, you will reduce the heat and increase the life of the LEDs. And as the LEDs age, you can turn up the dimmer to maintain the brightness.