Best lighting for the workshop

[garethp]

I admit they were eBay specials!

I've done the same myself, I reckon on average about a third of the eBay specials fail within 6 months...

 

[tomsutton529]

Yikes. Good point

yup, even though its only job is to smash the trim off the sides of the belts it still does 3580 RPM.. we only balance them at below 800 but even that was hairy.

 

[Turbo]

Just remember to watch out for the strobe effect. we had the following job on the balancing machine in work and at certain speeds it looked stationary under the lights.

That's why you always use lighting with high frequency ballasts in a working environment that has moving machinery - I think it's a law.

The lights in my workshop came from a factory I used to work in. They had a lot of moving conveyors and under standard lighting at certain speeds they looked stationary (we tried it out with a standard light fitting - scary to witness!). The whole place was fitted with high frequency florescent fittings running at 50,000 Hz. The tubes had to changed annually and the light fittings after 5 years - hence I had a supply of perfectly good lights.
Unfortunately I gave too many away/fitted them in mates garages and I now have no spares left.

 

[skotl]

I really hadn't considered any of this. But I'm hoping/assuming(?) that this doesn't apply to a home workshop, on the assumption that you know what you loaded, pressed, started, etc.?

 

[oddbob]

I really hadn't considered any of this. But I'm hoping/assuming(?) that this doesn't apply to a home workshop, on the assumption that you know what you loaded, pressed, started, etc.?

I think you're right. If you're likely to come across running machines that you didn't know/remember were switched on, I think your lighting is the least of your problems!

 

[skotl]

I think you're right. If you're likely to come across running machines that you didn't know/remember were switched on, I think your lighting is the least of your problems!

I think that's the point where my wife gently takes me by the arm, guides me back to my chair, gives me a cup of tea and puts all my kit on gumtree

 

[rikrobson]

just run the leds of a dc supply.

 

[500e]

All our big lamps are over 6 months old we did a deal with LED hut on price\volume
The replacements for twin fluorescents were "Screw fix" a complete fitting for £36 they don't do them any longer they are also over 6 month's, the lecy bill is a big saving

 

[tomsutton529]

I think you're right. If you're likely to come across running machines that you didn't know/remember were switched on, I think your lighting is the least of your problems!

Its not that people don't remember, its the split second mistake. but the root cause of the mistake is the lighting causing the strobe effect on the job.

 

[oddbob]

Its not that people don't remember, its the split second mistake. but the root cause of the mistake is the lighting causing the strobe effect on the job.

You're absolutely right ...but we're talking about a home garage workshop, where you tinker away by yourself, and the only time something will be turned on and running is if you're standing in front of it and using it.

I've had many workshops/studios over the last 30 to 40 years, that I've worked in on my own. As far as I can remember, they have all had fluorescent lighting. I don't remember ever noticing a strobing effect occurring in that time, but, I do know that if I ever turned on a pillar drill, a lathe, a bandsaw or anything else that bites, and it looked as if it was stationary, the one thing I wouldn't do is stick my hand on it, in it or around it to check!

 

[wookie]

just run the leds of a dc supply.

That might not stop the strobing. The LED controller could be using PWM to control the voltage/current and therefore you could still end up with a strobe effect.

Just remember to watch out for the strobe effect. <SNIP> Also seen the same thing with LED head torch's. a few times I have gone to start drilling or taking a weight off and glanced at the tacho and seen its spinning fast enough to take my arm off.

Would sticking a capacitor across the feed to the LED smooth out the pulses enough or would that upset the PWM ?

 

[skotl]

You're absolutely right ...but we're talking about a home garage workshop, where you tinker away by yourself, and the only time something will be turned on and running is if you're standing in front of it and using it.

I've had many workshops/studios over the last 30 to 40 years, that I've worked in on my own. As far as I can remember, they have all had fluorescent lighting. I don't remember ever noticing a strobing effect occurring in that time, but, I do know that if I ever turned on a pillar drill, a lathe, a bandsaw or anything else that bites, and it looked as if it was stationary, the one thing I wouldn't do is stick my hand on it, in it or around it to check!

I agree with that. Also, in a home garage / workshop there is only ever one machine running so the noise should be enough to alert even a dimwit like me

 

[richie00boy]

Thanks for the advice, folks. I've ordered four of these and a couple of drivers, and I'll replace each flourescent with a driver and two LED strips.

If they work out OK, then I'll order more from China (they're 1/6 the price, but take six weeks to deliver) and pepper the garage roof with them

Any update on how they compared to fluorescent tubes?

 

[Kent]

Actually... if you've seen my videos (most shot in the depths of winter) you'll see that it's not exactly bursting with light right now

View attachment 65570

see all that poly wrap? tucked up round the ladders That needs to go if your welding or grinding in that place!

 

[dunk]

Many years ago working in a main ford dealers i was balancing a front wheel on a cortina 1600E with a machine that spun the wheel up to speed and a sensor placed under the drop arm, a strobe was incorporated in the machine to show where the weight was to be fixed when a button was pressed, a young new start watched with disbelief thinking the wheel was not moving when the button pressed, so, thought it was a good idea to test his thinking, the outcome was he never tried that again and he was so so lucky that time,

so what i am saying to those who have machines like lathes, drills, millers, etc, in their home workshops is it may not be you who falls foul of the machine because of the strobe effect, but there again who knows

 

[skotl]

Any update on how they compared to fluorescent tubes?

Kinda - I lashed one together and, as expected, it gives a very directional light that means it's not suitable for replacing the flourescents. I still think I'll add them in specific areas, though, like above the welding bench as they are certainly brighter than the tubes.
So next stages are; 1) ditch the bubble wrap 2) fit the insulation 3) sort the lighting.

 

[richie00boy]

OK thanks. Looking to replace my parents kitchen 5 footer which is tripping the RCD. Looks like I'll have to go with an electronic ballast then.

 

[skotl]

OK thanks. Looking to replace my parents kitchen 5 footer which is tripping the RCD. Looks like I'll have to go with an electronic ballast then.

I did buy the second cheapest options on ebay - there may well be better options available.

We have LED GU10s in our kitchen and they are awesome (they were turned halfway down for this pic, taken on a December evening);

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I fitted one of these in my Mums kitchen and she is over the moon with it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LO2EF04?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

[richie00boy]

Thanks. I have put LED bulbs in all my GU10 fittings and love them.

That tube looks good Wendelspanwick, but I need a 5ft one and they only do 4ft. Also I'd rather have a warmer colour temperature. Perhaps another vendor's one will be good though. I guess the frosted cover diffuses the light and the result is a better spread.