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Reflectors for CFLs?

bfr57

Well-known member
Joined
May 31, 2013
Messages
133
Just ordered 25 of these 105W CFLs for my garage that put out 7150 lumens using .91 amps each: https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/8256/FC105-S50OD.html

The garage is a metal building with 3 bays, total dimensions are 32'w x 82'l x 17'h. These lights will mount directly to the purlins, with 14 lights in the first bay, 32'x29' (where all the work gets done) for about 108 lumens per sq'. The second (middle) bay will get 10 lights for 77 lumens/sq'; occasional work and parking here. The third bay is storage and will get 4 lights. Each bay on it's own switch and 2 15 amp circuits. The 14 light circuit will draw 12.75 amps total.

I see on here some people use reflectors, some don't for these CFLs. I've researched these CFLs need to have circulation for cooling. Living in southern AZ, we see triple digits for weeks at a time. I can see how reflectors could impede cooling. Will the reflectors make that much difference in the way the lights perform?

The building is insulated with the roll type that is sandwiched between purlins/girts and is white; great reflective properties. I also have six sky lights installed. I don't have roof vents; one thing I forgot when putting the building up, but do have a couple of 6o4o windows at eye level in.

Anything I might be missing on this install? I know the second bay won't be as bright, but from what I've read, 77 lumens/sq' is ok for general purpose work, but is it?
 
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2Big2Ride

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2010
Messages
258
Location
d/FW, Texas - more FW than D
We have nine of the 105w CFL (5000K) in a 24'x30' mounted on the purlins in one part of our metal building. We have 12' walls and 4/12 pitch so the lights are a long ways from the floor in the center row. The lights are bare - no reflectors. The lighting is acceptable for general garage tasks.

We also have six of the same lights in the better half's 20'x30' studio side. These lights are hung at 10' above the floor and have reflectors. The lighting is better in the studio side then the garage. I'm guessing the mounting height has more effect than the reflectors in our case.
 
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jwith68

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2006
Messages
1,640
Location
EC Missouri
I have 12 of these 85W CFL's on order from 1000bulbs.com myself.
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/8254/FC85-S50OD.html

I also have 12 of these reflectors on order from Menards.
http://www.menards.com/main/lightin...it-ceiling-outdoor-light/p-1509825-c-7538.htm

They're going to be installed in the 48' x 64' x 14' machine shed I'm building, details posted here.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289207

This is for farm machinery storage, its not a workshop, so I hope that the light level is acceptable with only 12 of them. At 5800 lumens/each, I will have about 23 lumens/sqft. In my experience, a simple reflector like this helps keep the light directed downward in a building like I'm building, with open trusses and the lights hung at the bottom chords of the trusses. Years ago, I even made some when I couldn't find any, that helped a great deal in my Dad's shop.

On the subject of temperatures, I don't know. I don't think the ones I have ordered will increase temperatures radically. But, I don't have the ambient temps to deal with that you do, either (I hope!)
 
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