The Best Light Fixture Ever!

[MJockey]

It can be done, you just have to use more of them, which means you'll want to figure in the cost of additional wiring and installation time when comparing these to higher lumen fixtures.

So using this site, http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/default.aspx?id=14782 for my 38' x 48' x 13' shop with a 80fc @2.5 target'. It says I would need 48 two lamp fixtures with the James's 2261LM lamps. Does that seem right?

If I use a Lithonia Lighting IBH 12000LM, the fixture count drops to 12. The IBHs will cost $800 more but I guessing the time and materials costs of a electrician installing 36 more fixtures has to cost more than $800. What do you guys think?

 

[Platonic Solid]

MJockey - Your 48 James fixture count is about right. Qty.16 IBH 12000lm hung at 12ft (IBH can't be surface mounted) = 80fc average at 30" workplane.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

So using this site, http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/default.aspx?id=14782 for my 38' x 48' x 13' shop with a 80fc @2.5 target'. It says I would need 48 two lamp fixtures with the James's 2261LM lamps. Does that seem right?

If I use a Lithonia Lighting IBH 12000LM, the fixture count drops to 12. The IBHs will cost $800 more but I guessing the time and materials costs of a electrician installing 36 more fixtures has to cost more than $800. What do you guys think?

That's a neat site, thank you for sharing! Did you just enter the specs from the James lights into it?

 

[MJockey]

That's a neat site, thank you for sharing! Did you just enter the specs from the James lights into it?

I selected a Lithonia C 2 32 fixture and changed the Lumens Per Lamp to the James value listed on Bee's of 2261.

 

[MJockey]

MJockey - Your 48 James fixture count is about right. Qty.16 IBH 12000lm hung at 12ft (IBH can't be surface mounted) = 80fc average at 30" workplane.

Thanks. What lumen value did you use for the IBH 12000lm? The web site set it to 13242lm. I tried changing the Suspension Length, but the count stayed at 12.

 

[Hammer03]

I've been following this thread a while and trying to keep from buying... But I was in Costco over the weekend and their fixtures were $30 a piece (down from 40) which puts them slightly ahead of the online ordering deal in $/Lumen (I think, guess depending on tax). I need 12 for my garage, and will be adding outlets to the existing keyless fixtures so that I can just plug them in without cutting cords (my original plan). Also had to find the adapter plates at Big Orange to avoid swapping out boxes.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Thanks. What lumen value did you use for the IBH 12000lm? The web site set it to 13242lm. I tried changing the Suspension Length, but the count stayed at 12.

IBH 12000LM with Acrylic Lens = 12524 lm. You probably used the bare LED (no lens) version, which I would not recommend.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Hammer03 - James vs Feit Lumen per Dollar is equivalent, but Lumens per Watt efficiency is not:
Feit = 97 L/W, James = 125 L/W.

 

[Hammer03]

Hammer03 - James vs Feit Lumen per Dollar is equivalent, but Lumens per Watt efficiency is not:
Feit = 97 L/W, James = 125 L/W.

This is true. But I imagine they are a big jump from the 100W bulbs that were in there previously.


BTW thank you for all the advice and hard work putting this together and maintaining the thread. Much appreciated.

 

[MJockey]

IBH 12000LM with Acrylic Lens = 12524 lm. You probably used the bare LED (no lens) version, which I would not recommend.

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize there was a no lens option. All the photos show it with a lens. Am I correct that the the one Bees Lighting is selling is without the acrylic lens?

 

[Skelly]

Platonic,

Someone mentioned panel led's above, and they have me interested.

Any thoughts on this model/brand?

http://www.ccpled.com/product/2x4-panel-light/

I would be interested in the 72W model.

They have them on eBay for a 4 pack for $340.

Seems like a good deal. Please let me know, thanks.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Skelly - I see a few red flags: No manufacturer name, No UL File number and DLC search yields no results. Suggest asking seller to provide picture of UL Label on product.

 

[emanaresi]

Thanks for all of the great info in this thread!

We are building a house and it has a garage that is 28' x 30'. It has an 11' ceiling but I could hang the lights down on chains if that makes more sense.

The ceilings will not be finished at this time. Just joists overhead with the subfloor for the attic above that. With this height, can I get away with the james bulbs? They really seem like a great product/price. But I don't want to spend money on them then decide they were a mistake.

I was also considering using them in our unfinished basement, 8' ceiling height. Again, unfinished ceiling.

One last thing, do you know anything about led flood lights? We want to mount one on the gablewall of the house, up near the ridge. It will be about 30' off of the ground. I'd really like to use an led so that I won't have to climb up there to change bulbs. But I don't know how many lumens or anything to get decent illumination at ground level.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Denwood]

Plat, I may have finally found a decent CRI LED replacement for our 5000K, 98CRI Philips TL950 tubes. They are about 2000 lumens, in 2 tube fixtures right now with Philips Advance Ballasts..which I would likely remove. The fixtures have diffusion lens over them.

This is the bulb: http://shopgreentek.com/collections...ts/4ft-15w-led-linear-versa-tube-5000k-ul-dlc

Any thoughts? I did a review on the Cree t8s, and have also tried 10 of the Philips Instafit 17.5 watt at 4000K. Really looking for 5000K to be consistent with the building as we replace. We have designed in a lot of natural light (high windows, solatubes, skylights and clerestory), so 5000K makes more sense. Ceiling average height 8 to 9.5ft.

 

[cory58]

I would like to use the visual-3d.com tool to experiment with different lighting options. My garage will be a 30x50 metal building (from Capitol Buildings in NC) with insulated walls and ceiling. I plan to seal the concrete floor, but not color it. Any suggestions on the "Room Reflectances" I should be using in the tool?

Also, is there any way to account for the roof pitch? The walls will be 13', with a roof slope of 4:12.

Thanks, Cory

 

[Platonic Solid]

Dennis, ask Greentek to identify the LED manufacturer so you can confirm R9 value. Greentek appears to have several DLC listed models, but none are >90 CRI. I'd get a couple lamps before buying bulk to confirm efficiency claims, make sure the beam spread works to your liking in your fixtures, and test CRI if you have such a meter (I use UPRTek MK350N and am very happy with it). I look forward to your review.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Cory58, assuming the insulation is white, I would stick with industry standard 70-50-20 Ceiling-Wall-Floor reflectance. I only use Visual-3D for quick and simple calcs and Dialux Evo for real work. Maybe the paid version of Visual-3D can handle ceiling pitch, but I don't think the free version can. Though not entirely accurate, you could split the difference between your 13' wall height and 18' peak, thus 15.5'. I would never suggest anyone pay for Visual-3D when Dialux Evo is far superior and free.

 

[cybrdyke]

This is the bulb: http://shopgreentek.com/collections...ts/4ft-15w-led-linear-versa-tube-5000k-ul-dlc

QUOTE]
(rant on)
It drives me nuts when a manufacturer leaves out a KEY piece of information.
LUMENS. HOW MANY LUMENS??? (rant over).

They say 115 LPW, and at 15 watts, that's 1725 lumens.

BTW...Philips just launched a 16.5w InstantFit tube, 20w with a .88 ballast, 2500 lumens. 70,000 hours @ L70. 3500k,4000k or 5000k. They are staying at the 80+ CRI, for now.
CD

 

[Denwood]

Thanks Plat. I often wonder about CRI claims from the less known brands.

Cyb, the new light would explain why the 14.5w 5000K Instafit was on clearance at HD for $7 (about 5$ USD). They were sold out by the time I showed up. I picked up a case of the 4000K 17watt but am not liking the light quality.

 

[cybrdyke]

Thanks Plat. I often wonder about CRI claims from the less known brands.

Cyb, the new light would explain why the 14.5w 5000K Instafit was on clearance at HD for $7 (about 5$ USD). They were sold out by the time I showed up. I picked up a case of the 4000K 17watt but am not liking the light quality.

It's prolly the CRI difference that you dont like. The 17w is available in 5000k as well.
CD

 

[shawnoen]

Hi, just read through the whole thread and still undecided. In the process of having our new house built right now. They started framing today. I have a walkthrough with the electrician on the 30th so I need to figure out several things prior to then, including the garage light layout.

I'll be installing the light myself but they'll wire whatever I want. Garage is a 3 car with one 18' door and one 9' door. Overall size is about 24'x36' with 10' high finished ceilings.

What should I use and quantity? I'm thinking the suggested lights and 4 rows of 3 fixtures each with the 4000K bulbs? Evenly spaced across the width so as not to interfere with the garage door openers or mounting.

 

[Ping Pong]

Have to agree, very nice bulbs. I install 10 led bulbs replacing 20 wore out t8. Only did center bay as $ is a concern and still have 22 left to buy. Did the ballast bypass needed to buy 1 nonshunted tombstone per and made nonshunted from existing. Went from 420 lumen to 550 . And I can hear the radio.

 

[34toddster]

I'm looking for advise, I'm hard of seeing, hard of hearing and hard headed, so does anyone have the right light solution for me.
40 x 80 x 12.5 ceiling height
I know that T5 should not be used under 15 feet but our local sale barn has them and I can see great almost a blue light down to the ground, what about T5 6 bulb 4 ft fixtures?
I installed white metal to try to reduce my lighting requirements.
Thanks all!

 

[Platonic Solid]

34toddster

Ideal total 4ft luminaire output at 12.5 feet = 7500 lumens

4ft Fluorescent strip light comparisons:

2 lamp F32T8 (0.88 BF) = 5280 lm
2 lamp F32T8 (1.20 BF) = 7200 lm (this is a special order fixture. If special ordering go for 8ft 4 lamp tandem strip light fixtures)
2 lamp F54T5HO = 10,000 lm
4 lamp F54T5HO = 20,000 lm
6 lamp F54T5HO = 30,000 lm

2 lamp 4ft or 4 lamp 8ft F54T5HO strip lights wouldn't be too bad.
6 lamp 4ft F54T5HO at 12.5 feet (realistically these would likely hang down around 11.5 feet) is way too much concentrated light.

 

[34toddster]

Thank you PS, I will take your advise and start searching for the 4 lamp 8 ftT5HO, can these be surface mounted ?
I appreciate your response!

 

[the_cowman]

Was looking at the combo on page 1, I see some talk about not being good for > 10' ceilings. I have(or will have) 14' ceilings in a 36x52 space.

Is there a better LED lighting option for me?

 

[Platonic Solid]

34toddster - Yes, the typical 4-lamp 8ft F54T5HO tandem strip light can be surface mounted. With your white ceiling, you don't need additional reflectors.

cowman - It's not that 4ft LED bulbs don't work over 10 feet, it just takes more of them to get the desired output. When you figure the lumens per $1 cost, they're still a very competitive option.

 

[KML]

When I go to the James industry web page:
http://www.jamesindustry.com/ProductView.Asp?ID=20
I see a 120 degree is beam angle. There are regular and frosted bulbs on that page, but the graphs provided do not differentiate between regular and frosted. Is the frosting enough to fix the dark ceiling effect? Can those that bought the frosted bulbs share their experiences? Or is it obvious to those in the lighting industry that the frosting will stop the dark ceiling effect?
Thanks

 

[34toddster]

Thanks PS

 

[LB62]

Here it is. 12 fixtures in a 35' wide 19' deep garage with 9' ceilings.

Four rows of three.

I mounted them 3.5' from the outside walls and each row is roughly 7' apart.

Very happy with the result. I may add 3 more going perpendicular, one at the front of each bay.

Just ordered the same setup for my 24 X 34 garage with 10' ceiling.

MaxLite LSS2XT8USE4803

18 Watts - Daylight 5000K - James T818W1200BIXXDF50F1

 

[Speedsoul]

I have a new shop and looking for some input.

32x55 space, lights mounted at about 12 feet

Looking for 5000-5500k bulb with high CRI and want lighting to be similar to the pic posted above. It looks bright and well lit.

What fixtures and bulbs would you recommend? Thanks

 

[nsula_country]

Speedsoul,

I am in the process of installing lights for my new shop. 40x60x17 will require 24 8' Tandem strips (96 lamps) to achieve an even 80 FC. It is hard to beat a strip in cost vs output... Its tried and true.... T8's will be with us for a while. They are still the workhorse of retail and large area illumination.

The Visual Interior Tool software is pretty cool. Find a light that is similar to what you would be using. Lithonia Lighting TC 2 32 is close to what I will be installing (8' Tandem T8 strip). You can play with spacing, FC required, ect to figure out placement.

https://www.acuitybrands.com/resources/tools-and-documents/visual-lighting-software

These are high CRI lamps I plan to use...

Litetronics L-359, 5000K, 90 CRI, cheap.... ....
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/56690/F-32L359.html

These are the lights I'm going to buy. 24 in the 40x60x17, 4 rows of 6. 13 under the 30x60x16 lean too, 3 rows of 3 and 2 each per rafter (2) 90* to the others. Free Shipping too! Cannot beat the price of these. Also 1.00 power factor to get 100% of rated lamp lumen (non-CEE ballast.)

http://www.shineretrofits.com/alphalite-ss8-432-unv-isn-ss-series-8-ft-4-lamp-f32t8-high-performance-fluorescent-strip-instant-start.html

Good luck!

CT

 

[cory58]

Cory58, assuming the insulation is white, I would stick with industry standard 70-50-20 Ceiling-Wall-Floor reflectance. I only use Visual-3D for quick and simple calcs and Dialux Evo for real work. Maybe the paid version of Visual-3D can handle ceiling pitch, but I don't think the free version can. Though not entirely accurate, you could split the difference between your 13' wall height and 18' peak, thus 15.5'. I would never suggest anyone pay for Visual-3D when Dialux Evo is far superior and free.

Thank you for the info! I've been dealing with the slab pour for a few weeks, but will be back on the light planning soon.

 

[39 Chev]

Platonic,

Can you tell by the below pics if this fixture would be comparable to the one in your first post? This is on the shelf at my local Fleet Farm for $10.97 each (obviously, no shipping, but about 7% sales tax).

I am building a new shop and will need about 24 of these fixtures. I am a total noob when it comes to this lighting process, so I definitely want "plug and play". If I understand correctly, I can have my electrician hard wire these (or the MaxLite ones in post #1) fixtures like a normal light operated via wall switch and then just plug in the James LED tubes?

By the way, I have read this thread completely through, but to a layman, it is still a little comfusing.

Also, my shop will be 32x32 with 12' walls, sheetrocked and painted white (with a little gray or green towards the bottom of the wall). Separate cold storage of 32x32 with 12' walls, no sheet rock. I will need "good" lighting in my shop, but minimal in the cold storage.

Thank you!

 

[nsula_country]

39 CHEV

The light in the 1st post is a conventional light fixture. The one you posted is a cheesy disposable shop light... Maybe someone else will chime in, but I would say NO!

CT

 

[Platonic Solid]

39 Chev - The best I can tell from your pics is that fixture is "Designers Edge 4 Ft. Fluorescent Shop Light" which has a cord (thus can not be conventionally hardwired), and a pull switch (which you probably don't care about). I am not familiar with this brand, but I suspect that it's one of the real cheapies in that it has the fluorescent ballast built into the lamp holders (hence the non-traditional lamp sockets). This should be considered a disposable fixture since when the ballast dies, it can not be repaired. It might be possible to rewire it for LED bypass, but then you might as well stick with the page 1 recommendation.

 

[going4speed]

Just ordered the James LED's and wondering if I made a mistake. These are 4k bulbs that I ordered. Thinking I should have ordered 5k instead but just clicked the link in post 1 and did not give it much more thought till today so they are still inbound.

 

[39 Chev]

Thanks PS and Nsula...

I'll stick with the lights posted in the first thread.

 

[Platonic Solid]

going4speed - I don't think you'll be disappointed with the 4000K, plus the 5000K are $1 more each.

 

[going4speed]

Thanks Platonic. After I slept I re-read my post and realized the absurdity therein. This garage will eventually be drywall but I'm in the midst of insulating so I have brown kraft walls. Went with the 9 light configuration currently and will end up with your 15 light setup for 2 car garage.

Appreciate all you've done on the lighting subject. Have learned much.