LED shop lights?

[bdmicarta]

I have a 48" shop light above my workbench in the garage. It seems like every few years it needs new bulbs so I was thinking about switching to an LED light. So should I get the really cheap one at Walmart or is this something where I need to pick a better brand?

 

[Mike157]

I’m no expert, not even a knife maker, but I replaced all of the 48” fluorescent bulbs in my laundry room and garage/shop with 48” LEDs. The LEDs came with a little, very easy to install (new receptacles) retrofit kit that allowed me to use the existing fixtures. The bulbs could handle 120 V AC directly, so the ballast on the fixtures could be discarded. The lighting is better, the LED bulbs are supposed to last quite a bit longer than the fluorescent bulbs, are environmentally safer, and use less electricity. I’ve also replaced a few of the ceiling spot lights in my house with direct replacement LED fixtures. There is usually a choice of light “colors” - cold, warm, etc.

I think that it has been at least four years without having to replace any. The bulbs were not inexpensive though. I’m not up on what configurations are available now, but would guess prices have come down. If you can get a complete and inexpensive replacement fixture, it might be worth a try. Good luck! Mike

 

[SV-97]

If there are many electronics in your grid(your house or your area) there's a chance that LEDs can slightly glow even if switched off(sounds for someone with basic electrical understandment not reasonable but can happen, welcome to modern problems). I'd say try it and if you notice something like that give them back.

Regarding price: if there are multiple in a room/nearby you might want to go with higher quality ones as even slight variation in colour can be picked up by the human eye( loose tolerances in manufacturing can lead to slightly off colours)

Other than that I don't see any problems or things to look out for

Source for all that stuff: electrician and in the process of becoming technician for E-engineering

 

[LEGION 12]

I bought 2 Commercial Electric Led's lights for my garage 3500 lums each , love them . They also make the same model with built in Bluetooth speakers if you are so inclined. Check them out at one of the big box hardware stores they should have them on display so you can see how bright they are.

 

[Mike157]

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/what-frequency-for-shop-light-bulbs.1528411/

This is a new thread along the same lines with some good information. Mike

 

[bdmicarta]

I was in HomeDepot today and bought a 4' LED high output light fixture. It is supposed to put out as much light as 3 fluorescent tubes- 5200 Lumens. I wanted the high output fixture because it is over my workbench. The fixture that was in the garage looked like a utility shop-light type fixture, but it was mounted against the ceiling and not hanging on chains. It was easy to install and provides great light output. I have 5 other 4' fluorescent fixtures in my house. Now I have to decide if I want to replace more of them. I could use much cheaper fixtures for most of them.

 

[crocogator106]

I got 2 of the Wal-Mart LED shop lights for my shop and their great. $23 each and I have had no issues in 2 or 3 years. I'm going to add some more this weekend!