Replacing fluorescent tubes in the workshop with LEDs

[brewdexta]

I'm finding the workshop a bit dim so I will be buying a few wall mounted adjustable lamps to assist however I was looking at the overall lighting too. I have four 5ft 58W cool white fluorescent tubes to cover the whole workshop which is 20m x 6m. The wall are white which helps. Its not too gloomy but my eyes are getting old, along with the rest of me, so need all the help they can get.

So the question is, although I can compare lumens, has anybody tried the LED tube replacements? They come in at about 26 quid each and use approx 20 to 30W and supposedly last longer so if they are as bright or brighter I give one a go to see if I like them.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Far from an expert on the subject but I changed the kitchen lights, the reason was to go from using 160 watts to 20 watts, it worked and the illumination seems fine but it's a different light, not as 'nice' if that makes sense.

Apart from the lumens I think you will have to study the light colour and angle if that type of led has variants.

 

[AndyStobbs]

I think your primary issue is too few fittings over a 120 sqm area.

 

[normspanners]

My mate has converted all his florries to led now and they are instant light no brown outs when the inverter or welder kicks in and use less than half the power his problem was 8ft ones were HFM!!!
so he found the 4fts leds were reasonable so just put another 2 springy lampholder in the middle, I think,
He is getting on !!! and he found and I think the light perfect for workshop use .

 

[brewdexta]

I think your primary issue is too few fittings over a 120 sqm area.

The wall mounted ones will fix that Andy, also stops throwing a shadow over the work.

 

[brewdexta]

Sounds like I need to take a spanner to my tight Yorkshire wallet to get the 50p pieces out and buy one to try.

 

[MattF]

Never been a fan of LED's personally. They work and they're less hungry, but they don't emit a natural light, IMHO. Torches, inspection lamps, (where discerning colours accurately isn't a necessity), and emergency lights they're fine for. Owt else, I'd stay with old tech.

 

[julianthegypsy]

Most LED's are cool white, but you can get warm white, which is much yellower and they are quite a pleasant light, as well as being very bright. If I was improving my workshop lighting (which does need doing), I would add arrays of LED spots to go with the four 4 foot flourescents. I find especially for welding I need more background light these days, ageing eyeballs an' all.

 

[brewdexta]

Andy is right in that I have too little lighting for the area so LEDs won't be a magic bullet, may save a bit of dosh in the long run, but not a huge amount. I may give one a go anyway as I don't have any spare tubes, last one went smash during the workshop tidy up. I have been looking at wall mounted adjustable LED lights, with and without magnifiers, these look good, but with the VAT and delivery a tad dear for my usage, however as they come with a wall mounting and a clamp then they could be quickly moved from a machine to bench. Something similar with just an LED lamp would be good.

 

[MattF]

Makes you wonder if spare tubes are highly magnetic on occasion, doesn't it. It's as if every piece of metal in the place just keeps aiming for that tube, no matter how safely you stash it.

Let us know your opinion if you get one to try.

 

[Shox Dr]

Andy about to do the same here. plenty on the market, I would buy named brand, many coming with 5+yr warranties

 

[Rocketman]

It wouldn't surprise me if the cheap LED's are less efficient than a decent T5 florescent with electronic ballast/MH with electronic ballast. Though in theory the LED's 'should' last longer.

 

[Wedg1e]

I don't mind LEDs for background lighting, we have them at Nursy's place to illuminate a particularly dark path... and also in head torches. A couple of years back we spent days on end in a culvert cutting up a kilometre of stainless steel pipeline using air hacksaws, all by the light of LED head torches!
That said, my new van has LED lighting in the load space, miles better than the dim candle that the old van had. And the local council hs been swapping the old streetlamps to LEDs, seems to be working quite well so far.
So maybe LEDs ARE the future

 

[monkeymark]

I have led lighting at home, work and caravan.

Warm white more homely, pure white better illumination, mix both together for all round better effect.

If you're not sure buy a 12v led string off eBay for around £10 to get an idea.
3528 smd are not as bright, 5050 smd brighter as tri-led.

Led's are cheap, long lasting and little heat which is great for workshops.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Led's are cheap, long lasting and little heat which is great for workshops.

Never been up North in the winter then?

 

[mm289]

Got to do exactly the same, refurbing my workshop and looking for lighting so interested to here your conclusions


MM

 

[sparkysy]

Led's are the way forward my brothers! Fluorescent tubes are good for all round light too but led technology has come a long way and the new high intensity ones are stupidly bright! The motorway is being upgraded near us and the new yard they just built is all led lit, and like daylight! Yeah a bit more outlay but long life and no maintenance it's a no brainer!

 

[Maker]

Never been up North in the winter then?

Speaking of heat, I used to use a 500 watt floodlight in my shed . flipping hell, Nuclear fission is probably cooler than those things

We have recently had led spots fitted in the kitchen and bathroom and they would be perfect for a workshop - bright, natural feel and not easily damaged.

 

[brewdexta]

I'm just looking at these philips tubes, not sure what mods I have to do to my fitting, just remove the starter? The doc implies it works with the existing ballast. I currently have T8 1500mm tubes, F85W/35 - 535 GE units to be precise. The fittings are cheap 10 quid a throw single tube jobbies.

 

[mm289]

As I don't have any lights to start with I am looking at LED as an option to tubes, there are quite a lot of options for 600x600 flat panels like these http://www.ledhut.co.uk/commercial-led-lighting/40-watt-high-output-595-x-595-led-panel.html

All seem to be aroubnd £70-£80 for a 40W fitment with about 2000-3000 lumens. Thinking 4 of these in a 5m x 3m room instead of tubes.

They can be surface mounted and have a very low profile which appeals as I want to sling some moveable gantry to help move stuff about.

Cheers,

MM