I have a 24 X 40 pole barn with 10 foot ceilings. Currently installing a white steel ceiling and am looking at lighting options. Really like my 6” led recessed wafer lights in my finished basement and am thinking about spreading out 40 of these lights in my barn space. For $200 on Amazon, I can buy 48 of these lights. Anyone have experience they could share regarding brightness and coverage?
Pole Barn Wafer LED lights
- Thread starter rcthorpe
- Start date
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Brightness is way below normal shop lighting, but if you need the aesthetics, and are OK with using a ton of them, send it
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bright enough for what? How you are using the space will matter a lot
BillK
Well-known member
Exactly which lights are you looking at ?
bluedog225
Well-known member
I thought the ufo typ lights were pretty popular. And though I cannot find it this morning, I think there are layout tools that will help you figure out the best pattern for your needs.
www.lepro.com
Lepro UFO LED High Bay Lights
Waterproof Protection: IP65 rated Impact Resistance: IK10 certified Light Distribution: 90 beam angle Surge Protection: Up to 6kV Operating Temperature: -40F to 122F Housing Material: Die-cast aluminum
www.lepro.com
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
UFO is different from wafer.I thought the ufo typ lights were pretty popular. And though I cannot find it this morning, I think there are layout tools that will help you figure out the best pattern for your needs.
Lepro UFO LED High Bay Lights
Waterproof Protection: IP65 rated Impact Resistance: IK10 certified Light Distribution: 90 beam angle Surge Protection: Up to 6kV Operating Temperature: -40F to 122F Housing Material: Die-cast aluminum
10-14 watts, 800-1200 lumens (rated)
Lithonia Lighting Contractor Select WF6 6 in. White Canless LED Selectable CCT New Construction Remodel Integrated LED Recessed Light Kit WF6 LED 30K40K50K 90CRI MW M6 - The Home Depot
Spruce up a distinctive flair to your home with this Lithonia Lighting Selectable New Construction or Remodel Wafer White Recessed Integrated LED Kit.
www.homedepot.com
I put up a bunch of the wafer LEDs in my games room and love them. 8' ceiling and I have three rows of lights on 6' spacing. It is much more bright than intended. Been using them for years now and everything is still working great.
Appreciate the picture of the game room, it looks great! I did something similar in my basement.
I tried out the UFO lights, but I felt like the downward angle left a log of dark spots up higher on the walls (which I seemed to notice on the shorter 10' ceiling).
Wafer (not UFO) was what I was after. What I was hoping for (but wasn't sure if I'd get the desired effect) was with 40 lights I'd get great coverage (which I should), but by putting them on a dimmer, if at the highest setting that they'd be all I'd want for brightness...I know, pretty quantitative there. Hoping somebody might have done something similar and could share their thoughts. Based on my experience with my basement, I have got to believe that it would be all the brightness you would want.
I tried out the UFO lights, but I felt like the downward angle left a log of dark spots up higher on the walls (which I seemed to notice on the shorter 10' ceiling).
Wafer (not UFO) was what I was after. What I was hoping for (but wasn't sure if I'd get the desired effect) was with 40 lights I'd get great coverage (which I should), but by putting them on a dimmer, if at the highest setting that they'd be all I'd want for brightness...I know, pretty quantitative there. Hoping somebody might have done something similar and could share their thoughts. Based on my experience with my basement, I have got to believe that it would be all the brightness you would want.
It goes back to what you are trying to achieve. Good aesthetics or enough lighting for most tasks?
48 lights should achieve pretty even coverage with light color walls, but I'm not sure the brightness would be enough. You can always use task lighting when needed. Just remember once you cut 48 holes there's no going back.
48 lights should achieve pretty even coverage with light color walls, but I'm not sure the brightness would be enough. You can always use task lighting when needed. Just remember once you cut 48 holes there's no going back.
I hear you about the hole cutting (scares the **** out of me!). Hoping someone had done something similar to what I have done and might have some feedback / pictures of their experience...
b-boy
Well-known member
I think the wafer lights would be too dim for a large work area. Installing 48 of them is a lot of work.
I'd look at something designed for shops like the UFO lights. They put out sun-level brightness. I have 6 of them in my 30x40. I probably could have gotten away with 4.
I'd look at something designed for shops like the UFO lights. They put out sun-level brightness. I have 6 of them in my 30x40. I probably could have gotten away with 4.
Steve W.
Well-known member
I am currently installing similar lights in my house. Ceilings are just under 8'. So far, have installed them in the living room, kitchen and dining room. All on dimmers. Got them in 4-packs at Menards, they are 800 lumens each. Got a 2-pack, did not notice they were 1000 lumens. Can't tell a lot of difference, but placed them where the difference won't matter.
As others have said, how you plan to use your barn space will determine whether they will be adequate. For general lighting, they will probably be just fine. If you are going to be doing some carpentry or machine work, you will also want some task-specific lighting.
Installation is easy. I initially considered one of those hole cutters that has a scribe on an adjustable beam, but they are horrible to use. My son got a 6" hole saw from Amazon. It works GREAT. Just measure out where you want the light, put the pilot drill on the mark, TURN ON THE VACUUM, start drilling. Using a shop-vac really tames the dust.
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As others have said, how you plan to use your barn space will determine whether they will be adequate. For general lighting, they will probably be just fine. If you are going to be doing some carpentry or machine work, you will also want some task-specific lighting.
Installation is easy. I initially considered one of those hole cutters that has a scribe on an adjustable beam, but they are horrible to use. My son got a 6" hole saw from Amazon. It works GREAT. Just measure out where you want the light, put the pilot drill on the mark, TURN ON THE VACUUM, start drilling. Using a shop-vac really tames the dust.
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I installed 16 old school light bulb sockets in my 30x40. Right now I have 10 100w equivalent led bulbs and 6 300w equivalent cob bulbs over my lift. It's not the most elegant but it allows for flexibility. If I need more light I can simply change out some bulbs.
bluedog225
Well-known member
There is something to be said for getting a 15 socket string or two and running some old school bulbs. I’ve got 100 watts and it lights the shop very well. If I do something fancier later, I’ll move the string outside as patio lighting.