What temp/type light for shop?

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Choosing fluorescent lights for the 1000sf race shop.

I suspect this has been discussed a few times, but my search of the GJF came up with nothing relevant.

I know to stay away from the germicidal and black lights.

Home Depot has the following Phillips:

Daylight (6500K) ALTO
Daylight Deluxe (6500K) ALTO
Cool White (4100K) ALTO
Natural Light
Soft White

The above bulbs are 32-watt, my contractor who is the building manager for a number company with twelve offices sites that owner occupy and rent space out in said to go with the 32 watt only.

What is the verdict from the GJF for a race shop? 10' ceiling in half, scissors trusses starting at 10' and going to probably 14'/15' at peak in other half.

 

[kd3pc]

It is largely personal preference, unless you do a lot painting or color sensitive stuff.

Just make sure they are all the same..drives me nuts to have one or two mismatched.

I use cool white 40s, but only have 8' ceilings. And I use drop lights with LED bulbs for spot work, mostly because my 60 year old eyes (bifocals since 5 yo) need them.

 

[Denwood]

If you are looking for accurate light that matches natural light temp from Windows (5000K), use Philips TL950. They are rated at 98CRI, so render colors pretty much as well as natural sunlight. I use them in my shop, and 9000sq/ft business building.

 

[rharman]

Personal preference. I have the 6500k and love them. Others say they are too white. I prefer bright and white. No yellow/green shadows like on the lower temps.

 

[DC73]

I prefer Daylight or Natural - something in the 5000 to 6500 range. As a general rule, both will show colors more true than Cool White or Warm White.

Regardless of color temperature selected, pick the bulb with the highest CRI (color rendering index) for the most accurate colors. Something in the 90+ range is best but those in the high 80's aren't bad.

That said, I settled on Westinghouse 60800 (5000K and CRI of 86) as a good bang for the buck. Found them on Amazon by the case.

Denwood has suggested a great choice. The more important accurate colors are to you, the better this choice will be but it is more costly than the bulbs I used.

DC

 

[cybrdyke]

- something in the 5000 to 6500 range. As a general rule, both will show colors more true than Cool White or Warm White

Allow me to correct this. Just because a light source has a higher kelvin, does NOT mean that it will render colors better.

You got it spot on with this sentence, though:

Regardless of color temperature selected, pick the bulb with the highest CRI (color rendering index) for the most accurate colors. Something in the 90+ range is best but those in the high 80's aren't bad.


DC

 

[Ironhorse74]

These are 5000k I like them in the shop.



upload pictures online

 

[DC73]

Allow me to correct this. Just because a light source has a higher kelvin, does NOT mean that it will render colors better.

It's been my experience that when CRI is equal, daylight and natural bulbs show colors better - at least to my eye.

DC