What is the New Lighting Hotness these Days?

[JunkYardDawg]

I see a few recent threads in here about guys asking for help with lighting and wiring. I've got those skills, but I'm not really schooled up on recent developments with LED lights. I was wondering if some kind soul would give me a couple suggestions.

My shop interior is 13'x38' (494 sqft), and the ceiling is relatively low (floor to joist: 82"). Its loaded with 48" T8s right now, and light levels are liveable, but I would like to clean it all up, paint the ceiling white and be done with lighting issues for a few years. I want lots of light and no shadows.

What do you guys think I should go for?

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Welcome ! Check out the two new stickies on top of this page, may help some too. Good Luck on your project !

 

[akdiesel]

As things are progressing, LED lights are by far the best choice and becoming more in reach of costs and availability.
They last longer, less energy to use, no noise associated with them, and work well in cold temps.
Can LED lights in a short ceiling, I feel will not give a good flood for a work area, even in a flood LED form. I do like them in the house though in the 3000-4000 light range.
The 6000 light range is a better choice in shop use.
Plenty of 4' LED light fixtures and LED bulb replacements for the Halogen systems.
I personally like the complete LED fixture because it eliminates the need for a ballast. The ones I am installing are the Metalux commercial 4' fixtures. They use two LED strips to produce approx. 4000 lumens. If they do go out I feel it is cheaper to get some LED strips and replace the strips then the whole housing or a more expensive LED halogen bulb replacement.

 

[JunkYardDawg]

I'ma go to Home depot and see if they got any LEDs

 

[Autorotica]

Dawg,

If you are anywhere near 19520 I have some inexpensive 4' LED fixtures I have yet to put up in my space you would be welcome to borrow to take to your building and see how they work given your height.

Chris

Chris