Any lighting engineers out there

[printcom]

I have got 12 6ft twin tube fluorescent lights lighting my workshop, it occurs to me that this time of year they are on almost 12 hours a day I might be able to save a few bob by switching to a low energy solution.
At the moment I am using around 20KwH per day (24 x 70w) which adds up quite painfully when put together with the other buildings.
I have had a surf looking for LED low bay lighting and whilst the initial units are quite expensive, it appears that the power requirements are much less. The problem I have is what is knowing what a direct equivalent in light spread is to replace the fluorescent lights.
Any one got any ideas?

 

[printcom]

I think I've answered my own question, it appears that led tubes are available as a direct replacement - more research needed......

 

[cumbriasteve]

Check what colour lighting they give too, warm, daylight etc...it makes a fair bit of difference but I don't off hand know which is best for a workshop, I put led's in the 4 spot kitchen light and they are bright but it's a 'not very nice' light...if that makes sense.

 

[Dave3066]

Philips do a range of LED replacement tubes that fit into existing fittings http://www.lighting.philips.co.uk/subsites/oem/product_pages/masterled_tube.wpd

 

[normspanners]

If you search the forum there has been quite a lot of led talk quite resently
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...-in-the-workshop-with-leds.50248/#post-567888

 

[printcom]

If you search the forum there has been quite a lot of led talk quite resently
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...-in-the-workshop-with-leds.50248/#post-567888

Thanks chaps, I just had a extended holiday courtesy of the NHS - I must have missed that post.

 

[brightspark]

the tapes are only any good in and under cabinets in kitchens ect /the high or lowbay fittings are now retrofitted with led bulbs. metal halide -sodium and mercury are yesterday

 

[ukracer]

Another solution is a decent fixed current Power supply and 5050 / 5630 LED Tape

Like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3528-5050-5630-5M-White-300-SMD-12V-LED-Flexible-Strip-Light-Waterproof-Adapter/221424029608?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=28111&meid=ebb66d4977e24f7aa2e7e0443d7e8da7&pid=100005&prg=11472&rk=1&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=191167917796&rt=nc

Bright, cheap to buy (3 x 5 metre rolls so 15 metres of tape with a power supply for sub £36) You may need quite a bit more depending on the workshop floor area, specific area lighting requirements etc

Other option if the roof is high is high bay Metal halide / mercury Vapour lamps....they kick out some serious lumens once warmed up and aren't overly onerous to run electricity wise.

Interesting that the ebay add does not have a workshop in its photos....

 

[Wedg1e]

the tapes are only any good in and under cabinets in kitchens ect /the high or lowbay fittings are now retrofitted with led bulbs. metal halide -sodium and mercury are yesterday

I used a 5m long 'waterproof' 5050 tape outdoors as a path light fitted to a dwarf wall; it's nailed under the coping stones with cable clips and gives an effect like kitchen plinth lighting... just a big pool of light you can walk through. I thought it was a better option than having an overhead floodlight that casts your own shadow over the very bit of ground you're trying to see.