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How many lights in my new shop???

Mar. 07, 2024

Lights & Lighting

Notch1988 said:
Agreed and the reason I set the exposure limit on my camera when I did before and after shots of my lighting. There's no denying the difference with two shots done with the same exposure time.
Click to expand...

Good on you for trying, BUT...

"Exposure time" (a.k.a. shutter speed) is only one part of the equation. You would also have to hold both your aperture and ISO settings constant, AND ensure that the camera has EXACTLY the same field of view (same camera position, same effective focal length, same focus distance, etc.), in order for any comparison to be even semi-valid. You would also have to make certain that both images were treated EXACTLY the same way in post-processing (no "Levels" compensation, etc.); which, if you're shooting in-camera JPEG, may well be impossible. And even after all that, the camera will still grossly exaggerate any overall luminance differences, due to its much narrower "exposure latitude" range as compared to the human eye. For example, it would only take a relatively minor difference in actual light levels (say, somewhere around two or three f-stops) for the photos to appear to be "night and day" different; whereas our eyes/brains would still recognize this as only a marginal brightness difference.

Cameras and eyes are two different beasts. Yes, the former attempt to mimic the latter; but in many ways, they fail miserably at that task.

Good on you for trying,"Exposure time" (a.k.a. shutter speed) is only one part of the equation. You would also have to hold both your aperture and ISO settings constant, AND ensure that the camera has EXACTLY the same field of view (same camera position, same effective focal length, same focus distance, etc.), in order for any comparison to be even semi-valid. You would also have to make certain that both images were treated EXACTLY the same way in post-processing (no "Levels" compensation, etc.); which, if you're shooting in-camera JPEG, may well be impossible. And even after all that, the camera will still grossly exaggerate any overall luminance differences, due to its much narrower "exposure latitude" range as compared to the human eye. For example, it would only take a relatively minor difference in actual light levels (say, somewhere around two or three f-stops) for the photos toto be "night and day" different; whereas our eyes/brains would still recognize this as only a marginal brightness difference.Cameras and eyes are two different beasts. Yes, the former attempt to mimic the latter; but in many ways, they fail miserably at that task.

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Led lights in a shop and how many

jdironman

Posted 4/26/2017 21:41 (#5984322)
Subject: Led lights in a shop and how many

Nw Iowa

Well it has been raining here so starting to wire some lights or at least get some ordered, for my someday shop. I guess I was thinking of going led lights for long life and energy savings. Where are you guys getting your fixtures and what kind of lumens or how ever you measure these things would I need in a 60x 60 shop with 18' ceilings. Any types that are better or some to stay away from? I guess I was thinking of the more conventional shape which would normally be fluorescents but now have LEDs but am open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance for any suggestions 730diesel

Posted 4/26/2017 21:47 (#5984342 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

NE ND

I bought some from Larsen lights. They work good. I've also got T5s in my main shop.....maybe a little more impressed with them.

This is my before and after with T5s. I need to get some pics of the LEDs in the other building.

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wildcat1000

Posted 4/26/2017 21:49 (#5984355 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

C IL

Look up JTP farms on here or his website.

We like them.

greasegun

Posted 4/26/2017 22:06 (#5984409 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: led lights

W.C. Mo.

I installed six t-5's in my similar sized shop 11 years ago. They are shot----polished reflector has tarnished so bad that it absorbs most of the light rather than reflecting it down. Also on my second set of bulbs and these are getting dim.
Not sure what my next move will be but to say I am disappointed in the t-5 lifespan would be an understatement.

edit I have the 4 ft fixtures with 8 bulbs in each fixture.

Edited by greasegun 4/26/2017 22:10

John EIA

Posted 4/26/2017 22:06 (#5984415 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

We just made a 20'x24' office in a barn, the walls are chipped board and the ceiling is painted black. We put 6 four foot LED lights in there from Farm and Fleet, they were in the $25.00 area and there is a lot of light. I wish we had more of them for other buildings. Each light has a single bulb. We could leave the lights on all day for what three hours of ordinary lights would cost. I don't think we have a box any more or I could give you more particulars.

John EIA jdironman

Posted 4/26/2017 22:12 (#5984433 - in reply to #5984355)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Nw Iowa

JTP lights website has moved and I can't bring it up Jeff

Posted 4/26/2017 22:44 (#5984548 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Centralia, MO

jtp farms is here..........

https://petersenparts.com/collections/indoor-lighting/products/tripr...

love their lights, have them in two buildings

jtpfarm

Posted 4/26/2017 22:50 (#5984562 - in reply to #5984433)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

We are changing some of the product descriptions so some of the old links to my site may not work.

Here is a link to the indoor lighting https://petersenparts.com/collections/indoor-lighting

To the OP, between 75 an 85 lumens per square foot is where most guys go. Most guys on here use the T8 integrated I have.

We also have LED retrofits for T5 fluorescent. Colorblind

Posted 4/27/2017 00:21 (#5984670 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

I put up the LED tubes from JTP farm in my shop about a year and half ago. To get the 75 lumens per square foot I figured I needed 15 rows of lights. I put up 8 rows at the time because I ended up using some of the lights in my garage and another building. With the 8 rows my lighting is pretty decent, its better than most other guys shops with florescent lighting. I do think it could be a little brighter at times, but once I put the other 7 rows up it's going to be really lit up. Lanco

Posted 4/27/2017 05:26 (#5984734 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Eastern Pennsylvania

I'm an electrician; I use T5 fixtures in shops. LED is good but has not come up to the brightness of T5s yet. I sell a 6-bulb fixtures, with bulbs, to my customers for $138.50. Schuerman Farms

Posted 4/27/2017 06:16 (#5984793 - in reply to #5984562)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

WC MN & Valley of the Sun, AZ

We are changing some of the product descriptions so some of the old links to my site may not work.

Here is a link to the indoor lighting

To the OP, between 75 an 85 lumens per square foot is where most guys go. Most guys on here use the T8 integrated I have.

We also have LED retrofits for T5 fluorescent.

jtpfarm - 4/26/2017 21:50We are changing some of the product descriptions so some of the old links to my site may not work.Here is a link to the indoor lighting https://petersenparts.com/collections/indoor-lighting To the OP, between 75 an 85 lumens per square foot is where most guys go. Most guys on here use the T8 integrated I have.We also have LED retrofits for T5 fluorescent.

What is the CRI of this fixture?

https://petersenparts.com/collections/indoor-lighting/products/high-... Schuerman Farms

Posted 4/27/2017 06:19 (#5984794 - in reply to #5984793)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

WC MN & Valley of the Sun, AZ

And CRI of this one?

https://petersenparts.com/collections/indoor-lighting/products/doubl...

...Need 240,000 lumens for my toy garage and shopping...Thanks!

.

Edited by Schuerman Farms 4/27/2017 06:20

tooth and nail

Posted 4/27/2017 07:03 (#5984865 - in reply to #5984562)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

I was wanting to order a bunch (~ 70 ) for our new building , had some questions. Sent several emails, haven't gotten a response.
Is this forum the only place to communicate ? mafrif

Posted 4/27/2017 07:40 (#5984959 - in reply to #5984322)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

NC Iowa

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Integrated-4FT-24W-5000K-CLEAR-48-Fluoresce...

Have about 200 of those up now in different buildings. Just put them every 8' or 9' across the entire building. Light will be about right, 75-80 lumens sq/ft. Super cheap, many electric companies will give a rebate too. Did the whole shop for $500.

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Keith Mudd

Posted 4/27/2017 08:42 (#5985100 - in reply to #5984959)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Monroe City, MO

I think that's the same light Jerry sells. But for just a little more money I believe he now has a 40W LED. Twice the lumens for just a little more cost.

jdironman

Posted 4/27/2017 08:44 (#5985107 - in reply to #5984959)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Nw Iowa

Mafrif, I appreciate your reply but you must have meant 1500 not 500? Went to eBay site and fixtures are 20$. You must have 60-80 fixtures in your shop? Just wondering if they have went up that much? Thanks ddahlby

Posted 4/27/2017 08:53 (#5985120 - in reply to #5985107)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Far North central Iowa, Northwood

select a different lot size, after about 10 there down to less than 8.50 mafrif

Posted 4/27/2017 09:09 (#5985145 - in reply to #5985107)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

NC Iowa

130ish in there. They are 8.5 a piece list in lots of 100. If you call him he will knock some more off on bigger orders. The power company gave a 50% rebate back.

One thing not talked about is how much labor and materials are saved by using "piggyback" lights. If I didn't want it broken into 4 quadrants, I could have ran one row of electricity down the middle, 8 junction boxes, and wired all of the lights from that. You can piggyback up 8-10 depending on wattage. Compare that to 40 or 50 junction boxes using florescent.

jtpfarm

Posted 4/27/2017 09:23 (#5985161 - in reply to #5984794)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

And CRI of this one?

https://petersenparts.com/collections/indoor-lighting/products/doubl...

...Need 240,000 lumens for my toy garage and shopping...Thanks!

.

Schuerman Farms - 4/27/2017 06:19And CRI of this one?...Need 240,000 lumens for my toy garage and shopping...Thanks!

The CRI on the lights you linked is 80. jtpfarm

Posted 4/27/2017 09:31 (#5985177 - in reply to #5985145)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

mafrif - 4/27/2017 09:09

The power company gave a 50% rebate back. .

Im REALLY surprised you got a rebate without a DLC or Energystar listing. DLC tests the light to confirm it puts out the lumens and uses the power claimed. Without that you are just going off the word of the seller. I know Iowa is VERY good on rebates so it is possible that some places don't require a listing. But 90% of places do require one. I just sold some of the double rows to a church in Iowa and after the rebate they only ended up paying like $5 +/- per bulb. jtpfarm

Posted 4/27/2017 09:33 (#5985180 - in reply to #5984865)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

I was wanting to order a bunch (~ 70 ) for our new building , had some questions. Sent several emails, haven't gotten a response.
Is this forum the only place to communicate ?

tooth and nail - 4/27/2017 07:03I was wanting to order a bunch(~ 70) for our new building , had some questions. Sent several emails, haven't gotten a response.Is this forum the only place to communicate ?

I have really lost faith in email the last couple years. I don't know what the issue is but more than once I have guys send emails that I never receive. The best is to give me a call at 507-220-5242 69zfarmer

Posted 4/27/2017 16:07 (#5985847 - in reply to #5985177)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

North Central Alabama

Just put up some LED's from jtp.They work great on unfinished ceiling in garage.2 rows 40' long on 24x48 garage.

Edited by 69zfarmer 4/27/2017 16:11

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wfrost

Posted 4/27/2017 17:35 (#5985998 - in reply to #5984734)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Esbon KS

Lanco, could I get your contact info. I would possibly be interested in some of those lights. jtpfarm

Posted 4/27/2017 18:17 (#5986096 - in reply to #5984734)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Lanco - 4/27/2017 05:26

I'm an electrician; I use T5 fixtures in shops. LED is good but has not come up to the brightness of T5s yet. I sell a 6-bulb fixtures, with bulbs, to my customers for $138.50.

My 22w LED puts the same lumens to the ground as a 54w T5 fluorescent. The fluorescent has more total lumens but a percentage of that never reaches the ground due to 360 degree light output. Especially after the reflectors get dirty. GJO

Posted 4/29/2017 11:28 (#5989402 - in reply to #5984562)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

. the skipper

Posted 5/3/2017 01:12 (#5997338 - in reply to #5984734)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Hey Lanco i would like some info also 701 86six-206four the skipper

Posted 5/3/2017 01:14 (#5997339 - in reply to #5984734)
Subject: RE: Led lights in a shop and how many

Mr. Lanco i would like to get info from you too 701-86six-206four

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