Question for CFL users (primary light source)

[Thruxton]

If you use CFL bulbs to light your shop/garage, my questions are:
1. what wattage?
2. do you use them inverted (base on top, light below);
3. if yes to the last,, have you had any problems, such as shorter than expected lifetime?

Answers very much appreciated, as I am at that phase in my project.

 

[Teken]

If you use CFL bulbs to light your shop/garage, my questions are:
1. what wattage?

I currently have four 100 watt ouput, 23 watt consumed, 4500K bulbs with reflectors.

2. do you use them inverted (base on top, light below);

Yes

3. if yes to the last,, have you had any problems, such as shorter than expected lifetime?

I haven't had a failure since the install which was in August 2009. Please keep in mind it get's to -40'C here in the north so the warm up time is much longer than normal. During the winter months the light will take aprox 60 seconds to come to full output. In the summer it only takes about 10 seconds.

Answers very much appreciated, as I am at that phase in my project.

If you plan on being in the garage any length of time using CFL's is the way to go to save on electricity. One of many things I did to ensure the most light output was using a reflector, selecting a bulb with high Kelvin output, and painting the top and side of the walls to reflect as much light as possible.

There are guys who have rows of tube lighting around me. Yet when they come into my garage they are all shocked as to how bright it is in the room with just 4 little CFL's in there.

Don't get me wrong, more is better . . . Bigger is better . . . Right now this is simply a stop gap for me, until I can do the garage 100% the way I want to for the future.

For the small amount dollars and sweat equity I have invested in going this route, it has paid off well in terms of dollars saved for electricity, and having the ability to work inside during the winter months with out needing a trouble light.

Regards

Teken . . .

 

[PSEUDOSENTIENT]

I use CFL floods by GE.

The specific bulb is FLE26/2/R40XL. Here is one place to buy them:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MAJ09K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I can't comment on longevity because I've never had one die.

I have a few of them in different places on my property, and also in my garage as work lights. Some are horizontal and some are vertical with the base side up.

They are bright, but take a few minutes to achieve full brightness. Once they are up to speed they are really painful to look directly at, so place them accordingly if you decide to use them.

I also find that a good headlight chases away the shadows while I am working on cars... but that is another story.

 

[Falcon67]

We have a long, narrow closet here at work where the coffee pot sits. There are two light sockets in the closet on the same circuit/switch, each with a 100w CFL. The south socket has had the same bulb for at least 4 years. The north socket is on it's 3rd bulb.

 

[ddawg16]

1st Floor of my garage has 16 6" recessed cans (so I don't smack a bulb with a 2x4). Right now I'm using 23w PAR lamps (100w equiv). No trim in them yet....the reflector in the PAR bulb somewhat negates the need for one....

Going on the 2nd year....none have failed....they get several hours use most nights.

I want to change out some of them because I prefer the whiter color of a daylight vs warm white....but I suspect I'll be waiting a long time before any fail.

 

[toyotadriver]

I have 100 watt equivalent in my house garage and shop. 6 in the shop and 4 in the house garage. Been in there for over 3 years now and haven't replaced any of them. I like them. Takes a bit to warm up but not long.

 

[Zengineer]

I currently use 8 - 23w (100w equivalent) 5000K CFL's mounted base up. No issues yet. Other than the warmup time (less than 30 seconds) I have no complaints.

 

[Thruxton]

Gentlemen, thank you! I had thought about putting CFL's in our stable a couple of years ago but was put off by the manufacturer's warning about not installing them base up, so I didn't even consider them for the shop. But comments here, and my own experience with little (75? W equiv) in the "temporary" (as in US Army temporary building) fixtures in my unfinished garage has caused me to rethink. Those things put out a lot of light with an unfinished ceiling, the ceiling going in is sheetrock with a gloss white finish. CFL's for sure. Thanks again.

 

[Jeff]

 

[firehawk356]

I am currently using 68w (300w) equivalent. The only issue I am having is a couple of buddies have complained that when you look up at the lights they see spots for a minute after. They are bright and if you dont look at them the light in the shop is awesome, and I put 12 of them in my 30X40 shop for about $150. I am currently looking for some kind of diffuser to help soften the bulbs. If anyone has ideas Id like to see them.

 

[Zengineer]

Firehawk, (or anyone) do you know any place that the higher wattage (150w-300w equivalent) CFL's are for sale at reasonable prices? $15ea for 150w at my locals stores... too much for what you get in my opinion. If I could find them for half that I would consider them however.

 

[holdover]

my shop is 40 X 60, the back half has a cathedreal ceiling 15" high at the peak. This area is my work area with 2 lifts. On each half (side) I have 6 100 watt equiv, base up. 2 1/2 years no problems, no burnt out bulbs and plenty of light.

 

[Teken]

Jeff,

How many bulbs are there in that ceiling? It looks like 3?

 

[Jeff]

Jeff,
How many bulbs are there in that ceiling? It looks like 3?

6 fixtures, 8 bulbs, 2 circuits.

 

[Goobzilla]

10 105w 6500K CFL's (420w equivalent) in my 40x64. Been in service for a little over a year upside down. I did lose 1 early on, but 1000 bulbs.com replaced it under warranty.