Recessed LED cans

[Schu338]

First post!

I recently built a 24' x 32' detached garage with 9' ceilings. At this point I am considering installing recessed Halo H-7 cans for lighting with integrated LED trims. I definitely want LED lighting and part of my reasoning is that the current state of LEDs are changing rapidly and today's technology is partially outdated tomorrow. I don't really want to install strip lighting or canless fixtures in case 1 goes bad more than likely cannot get a matching replacement. Also like the clean look. My thought is that trims may evolve, but will always be available. 2 questions:

Anyone agree / disagree with that theory?

Will lighting be adequate / brihht with (16) fixtures of 120w equivalent LED (approx 1100-1200 lumens)? Fixtures would be evenly spaced on a 4 x 4 grid. Also hanging strip lighting over workbench.

Any other ideas?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Fasthotrod]

There is a really good lighting thread at the top of this list of topics... lots of knowledge and tools are available in there to help you make a decision.

That being said, I used one of those tools to see what it said, and it looks like you'll want some more fixtures depending on what you're going for here. The tool that I used was found here:

http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/default.aspx?id=14782

I entered the shop dimensions on the upper left hand side, then I changed the lamp listed on the bottom to a Lithonia Lighting WF6 LED can light that is 1,159 lumens per light. It came back with a 4 x 6 grid, evenly spaced across the ceiling.

You might play around with that a bit to see if you can get the results you're looking for.

Hope this helps.

Mark

 

[pbon]

Define adequate. I nearly bought 40 2000 lumen 8 inch LED cans for my 23x28 with 15x6 bumpout. Would have been a pain to install so many fixtures. In the end, I bought 16 5000L 4’ LED wraps. They won’t look as clean as the recessed cans but might provide better beam angle.

 

[Mr_fixit]

I disagree mostly. I just installed 10 can lights this week on an existing kitchen ceiling. I have seen many led bulbs fail right out of the box, in a week, a month or a year, even though people here will tell me they'll last a lifetime. .

I would never want any of those fancy trim ring and light in one unit. Even though they look nice, I wouldn't want to buy ten to replace one , since I'll never be able to find an exact looking replacement light once one burns out, whenever.

Are you ok with them not matching once you need to replace one, or are you planning on buying a bunch of spares?

Whereas if I install cans with regular trim rings , the new bulb will still look like the old bulbs when they burn out , in a year or more.

Regarding doing can lights for a garage, That's a lot of work, you'd need a ton, if you want any decent light. I'd do 4' fixtures, But that may not be a clean solution to your problem.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I put cans in my garage and regret it. 4' LED tubes create more even light with less shadows. They're also a lot less work to install.

If you're paranoid about upgradability, then I'd use the fixtures in the top sticky "The Best Light Fixture Ever!" which uses T8 fixtures with T8 LED tubes. T8 tubes aren't going obsolete any time soon. You can buy better/more efficient LED T8s in the future.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Cans are nice for task lighting, like over a workbench, but for general lighting a tube or other style will work better.

 

[matt_i]

It seems like one would have to put up 3-4x as many cans.

I put up 42W led fixtures, 4' long. Lets just say a 100W equivalent LED bulb requires now 10W.

So to get the same wattage input one would need ~4 cans in the same space.

This is based on the supposition that LED lumens is directly proportional to LED input watts. May or may not be the case but its one way to look at things.

The cans do look cleaner but I have a lot more pressing things to do in my shop than gaze up and admire the ceiling But to each their own, if it works, then by all means go ahead.

 

[walta]

Skip the cans! The cans displace your insulation. Insulation only works when it is continues. Even the “air tight“ cans leak like a sieve. Get the surface mount LEDs look almost the same.

Walt

https://www.prolighting.com/nlopac-...YSExt7LJEpmbhM9Xyz7FrcwB9hpAsS4xoCFksQAvD_BwE

 

[pbon]

He does not want those because if one fails the identical part might not be available. Production stops, designs change, LED tech changes.

 

[Schu338]

Lots of good thoughts, thanks for replys.

If I go the strip / wraparound way, are the name brand players made in the US? I see Metalux, Lithonia, etc at big box stores, but question the quality if any better than the off brands. Thoughts?

 

[Dagny]

can lights **** they are a little bulb baking oven most people don't read or understand the lamping instructions. They have limited light output so it seems it takes a lot of them to light up an area. Almost anything you pick would be better.

 

[walta]

If you are really worried about failures buy a few spares.

Even if you had to change a one who is staring into a light long enough to tell they are not perfect match.

Walta

 

[alfredeneuman]

I see Metalux, Lithonia, etc at big box stores, but question the quality if any better than the off brands.

The Lithonia "LB" series was one of the 1st available, and are made to this day.
They started with T12 fluorescent lamps and now are available in LED.

Off brands are no match for name brand fixtures.

 

[Schu338]

The Lithonia "LB" series was one of the 1st available, and are made to this day.
They started with T12 fluorescent lamps and now are available in LED.

Off brands are no match for name brand fixtures.

Normally I agree. But take a look at literally every name brand that is sold at lowes/depot. They all make a cheaper line for them. How can we determine what we are purchasing? Brand name alone doesn't cut it anymore. I prefer to spend a bit more for stuff made in the USA if at all possible.

 

[Git]

If you are really worried about failures buy a few spares.

Even if you had to change a one who is staring into a light long enough to tell they are not perfect match.

Walta

^^^^^ This

I am sold on these recessed LED lights. You can just about put them anywhere (even under a joist) and you do not need to have an electrical box to install them. And they won't disrupt the insulation

 

[fourjeepin]

Cans are fine for general lighting in a garage. They are not good for a workshop unless you like shadows and low light levels. In my 20x24 I have seven 48” dual 5k led tubes in the <$20 Home Depot wrap fixture with the ballasts removed.