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LED Lights

Mark Hancock

Mark Hancock

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Location
Worcester
I'm thinking about changing the tube lighting in my workshop and have been looking at LED batten (?) lights and am now getting confused. The workshop ceiling is quite high so any suggestions on wattage, lumens (?) would be greatly appreciated. Also do they just wire into the lighting circuit or do I have to do something else? I'm really hoping it's just a straight swop and being able to continue using the existing pulling cord switches.
Cheers
Mark
 
So what lights are you currently using?
In my shop I had florescent tube lights which I have swapped the tubes over to led ones. The first ones I bought needed the fitting to be rewired, but the latest ones are are direct swap and change out the starter, no need to open the fitting. I am very pleased with them, instant light even when the shop is cold.
 
They will be a straight swap re wiring Mark. However knowing the height of your workshop down in sunny Worcestershire :( I'd buy one of those panels just to see if they work for you. My take on all LED lights are that they are nowhere near the brightness that the manufacturers claim.
 
Thanks guys for the information and links. By the way RogerS you'll be glad to know it's raining down in sunny Worcestershire :)

I've been through the links a couple of times and maybe I'm more confused :eusa-doh: I understand the bit about looks and style but are LED lights suppose to be more energy efficient i.e. less power consumption or is the benefit that they give extra light?
9fingers (Bob?) in the haven thread seems to imply there is no real saving on energy costs and yet a link from the UKW to replacement LED tubes at Screwfix https://www.screwfix.com/p/philips-...ite-2000lm-1514mm-20w/7685t?_requestid=374950 seems to imply you get twice the light for the wattage.
Must admit I don't know what wattage the present tubes are but I do like the idea of just swopping the tubes and starter if there is the benefit of more light over the lathes.
Mark
 
Mark, as Bob says, fluorescents are pretty energy efficient especially compared to normal incandescent or halogen bulbs.
 
RogerS":1kx43usz said:
Mark, as Bob says, fluorescents are pretty energy efficient especially compared to normal incandescent or halogen bulbs.
Click to expand...
Thanks Roger. But how do they compare to LED's?
Think I need to decide if it's additional light I'm after or energy efficiency?
 
Mark

Have you read that thread I linked to and watched my video?

That is a single panel in a 30sq m workshop (building site...) and its very bright. I’m planning on putting in 6 and I reckon that will be bordering on the brightness of a white supergiant! :D

Cheers
Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
TrimTheKing":dpfqzz8g said:
Mark

Have you read that thread I linked to and watched my video?

That is a single panel in a 30sq m workshop (building site...) and its very bright. I’m planning on putting in 6 and I reckon that will be bordering on the brightness of a white supergiant! :D

Cheers
Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Yes I watched the video and was impressed by the brightness. Is that the real benefit of LED lights, you get more light for the energy used?
Mark
 
For your work, Mark, I would recommend a panel if you go down the LED route. Downlighters are too directional.
 
TrimTheKing":21wx69ue said:
I’m no expert but that’s what I understand yes.

Cheers
Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark. Feel I might be getting somewhere :)
Cheers
Mark
 
RogerS":xne8je1w said:
For your work, Mark, I would recommend a panel if you go down the LED route. Downlighters are too directional.
Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying with the panels but it would involve attaching them to the gantry above the lathes. With the tubes it just looks like a simply swop. I also have angle poise lights at each lathe with 100 W spots in them so I'll look at changing those as well.
I'm basically lazy Roger so looking for the easy option :lol:
Cheers
Mark
 
TrimTheKing":1xjslxnr said:
I’m no expert but that’s what I understand yes.

Cheers
Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Maybe just about but it is also about the effectiveness of the light ie the colour temperature and the directionality of the light.

The figures I put in the earlier post do not support a massive increase in efficiency for LED over fluorescent tubes but the life is better and the capital cost higher as is the replacement cost. I can find no data for the efficiency and life of the switch mode power supplies used by LEDs but generally speaking the high voltage capacitors used in SMPSUs, LED bulbs and compact fluorescents are the main source of failures.
I use led lighting in my bookcases and the Christmas lights and have had 3 SMPSUs fail in the last year and have resorted to a linear power supply dug out from the junk box ex NetGear router.

If you are keen on LEDS then why not buy one to try and compare alongside flu tubes?
You can buy an awful lot of flu tubes (£3 58w T8 x 5') for the cost of those LED panels though.

Bob
 
9fingers":bsbauoey said:
TrimTheKing":bsbauoey said:
I’m no expert but that’s what I understand yes.

Cheers
Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Maybe just about but it is also about the effectiveness of the light ie the colour temperature and the directionality of the light.

The figures I put in the earlier post do not support a massive increase in efficiency for LED over fluorescent tubes but the life is better and the capital cost higher as is the replacement cost. I can find no data for the efficiency and life of the switch mode power supplies used by LEDs but generally speaking the high voltage capacitors used in SMPSUs, LED bulbs and compact fluorescents are the main source of failures.
I use led lighting in my bookcases and the Christmas lights and have had 3 SMPSUs fail in the last year and have resorted to a linear power supply dug out from the junk box ex NetGear router.

If you are keen on LEDS then why not buy one to try and compare alongside flu tubes?
You can buy an awful lot of flu tubes (£3 58w T8 x 5') for the cost of those LED panels though.

Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. That's exactly the conclusion I've come to; try one out and see what the difference is.
I've been very wary of all these changes with lights over the years recalling all the hype about the energy saving bulbs when they were being given away by the utility companies and how they were so long lasting. I've had to replace more of them in the last 10 years than all of the filament bulbs over the previous 25 years.

Mark
 
Mark Hancock":2tm6rhdp said:
Thanks Bob. That's exactly the conclusion I've come to; try one out and see what the difference is.
I've been very wary of all these changes with lights over the years recalling all the hype about the energy saving bulbs when they were being given away by the utility companies and how they were so long lasting. I've had to replace more of them in the last 10 years than all of the filament bulbs over the previous 25 years.

Mark
Click to expand...

You’re right to be wary. The longevity of some of the LED’s is no where near that claimed for some of them.
Safety is another issue that’s been flagged with some of the units being downright dangerous.

I think the best advice is to only buy from reputable manufacturers. If you can tell the difference also make sure it’s got a proper CE mark on it and not the China Export mark!
 
Woodster":3ljixg6m said:
....
I think the best advice is to only buy from reputable manufacturers. ...!
Click to expand...

Yup. TLC-Direct is my Go-To electrical supplier of choice
 
Quick update.

Took the plunge and bought a straight replacement tube from Screwfix as it was easy to collect from there on the way to the workshop. Got a Phillips 16W one taking Bob's advice to use a reputable make.

It took less than a minute to fit and my initial impression is that it is brighter and a much cleaner light than the old 40W tube that it replaced.

Did a rather crude calculation when I got home to see what "cost saving" there would be and it's not great. By my calculation it'll take about 2 1/2 years to recoup the cost. Having said that the benefit of the apparent better light out weights that consideration. I'll see how it goes when I do a full 10 hours in the workshop on Monday :)

If happy with it I'll look at TLC Roger for the rest of the replacement - used them a number of time in the past and very happy with their service.

Thank again for all the advice - I've now caught up with modern lighting, even looking at changing the headlights on my car :D

Cheers
Mark
 
Careful with the headlights, most led headlights that are from China do not have the correct approval for use in the UK, if you fit them and and then have an accident in the dark the insurance company may be a problem.
 
DaveL":2178s9nd said:
Careful with the headlights, most led headlights that are from China do not have the correct approval for use in the UK, if you fit them and and then have an accident in the dark the insurance company may be a problem.
Click to expand...
Thanks Dave. I had noted that from the discussion I've been following. The ones suggested are approved.
Cheers
Mark
 
Well I've been converted and have now changed all the tubes in the workshop to LED's. :)

On the face of it I get better light for less than half the power consumption. The only unknown is how long the tubes last but considering the guarantees, the initial outlay and the benefit of the better light I'm not too worried about that.

Roger, tried using TLC Direct but they wouldn't ship to Worcester and picking up from them wasn't realistic so went with LYCO whose service was fantastic - ordered Saturday, delivered Monday. It was a shame about TLC as their brand seemed a better more efficient version but still happy with the outcome.

Thanks again for all the advice and help.
Cheers
Mark
 
Mark Hancock":1c1fk0w1 said:
.....

Roger, tried using TLC Direct but they wouldn't ship to Worcester and picking up from them wasn't realistic so went with LYCO whose service was fantastic - ordered Saturday, delivered Monday....

Thanks again for all the advice and help.
Cheers
Mark
Click to expand...

That's interesting to know, Mark. Do you have a link to the lights you were after from TLC ? Need to make sure that I don't factor them in to my decisions re 'workshop' lighting.
 
RogerS":3oxokwjf said:
Mark Hancock":3oxokwjf said:
.....

Roger, tried using TLC Direct but they wouldn't ship to Worcester and picking up from them wasn't realistic so went with LYCO whose service was fantastic - ordered Saturday, delivered Monday....

Thanks again for all the advice and help.
Cheers
Mark
Click to expand...

That's interesting to know, Mark. Do you have a link to the lights you were after from TLC ? Need to make sure that I don't factor them in to my decisions re 'workshop' lighting.
Click to expand...
Roger

I was after these LEDlite LED Fluorescent Tubes
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_I...ex/Lamps_and_Tubes_Index/LED_Tubes/index.html
but I think the issue was with sending any tube by post because of the number of breakages they have had in the past hence the option to pick up only. Unfortunately all their outlets are way down south, nearest to me being Bristol I think. If you're after LED panels it may not be a problem. I'd suggest contacting them although all I did was place an order and within less than 24 hours I had an email explaining the situation.
Mark
 
Thanks Phil...that's a timely article. Been starting to think about lighting.

One question though. Why is his workshop :

a) so small ?

b) so untidy ? :eusa-whistle:
 
RogerS":2nolh7dk said:
Thanks Phil...that's a timely article. Been starting to think about lighting.

One question though. Why is his workshop :

a) so small ?

b) so untidy ? :eusa-whistle:
Click to expand...


That is just for the photo shoot :lol:

The actual workshop is around the corner, 6*3 and no cleaner than ours. :lol:
 
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