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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Shop lights

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Peter Kosloski

07-21-2003 11:29:55




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Has anyone ever used mercury vapor light in their shop. The 175 watt outdoor type with metal reflector housing look promising. At 50 a piece seem an econimical easy to install option. Worried about color / light quality indoors. Any input is appreciated.




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ScottT

07-24-2003 10:30:42




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 Re: Shop lights in reply to Peter Kosloski, 07-21-2003 11:29:55  
Take a look at industrial high effciency fluorescent fixtures if you want the lowest power consumption per footcandle of light.
I am in the process of retrofitting the plant at the company I work for. This company's designs uses standard T-8 lamps even at higher ceiling heights.

Link

They are not cheap, but they will pay for themselves fairly quickly if you have long hours of lighting use.

Scott

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evielboweviel

07-22-2003 12:22:47




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 Re: Shop lights in reply to Peter Kosloski, 07-21-2003 11:29:55  
I prefer a combination of lights. Depending on how big of an area, big start with high or low pressure sodium, mercury or other fixture. Add in flourscent lights on walls and then add some incadescent for color and quick light. Smaller area less fixtures and 2 car garage and smaller use flourscents and incadescent only.



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Rick

07-22-2003 05:33:26




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 Re: Shop lights in reply to Peter Kosloski, 07-21-2003 11:29:55  
I looked at that type of lighting also. I ended up going with 8ft coldstart flouresents and have NO regrets. It was cheaper and I have yet to replace a bulb. Makes very nice lighting for me. Rick



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RayP(MI)

07-21-2003 19:06:16




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 Re: Shop lights in reply to Peter Kosloski, 07-21-2003 11:29:55  
You can get them for around $25 on sale at the local home stores. I have one inside a 24x36 pole barn. It really doesn't do a great job of illumination, considering the amount of electricity they spend. OK for general illumination, but no good for work lights. You'll want much more for any real shop work. I have two argon lamps in my one stall garage, one on either side of the vehicle, and they do a much better job of shop illumination, but they are much closer to the work. Sodium vapor seems to be an "empty" light, probably due to the limited color spectrum of the sodium light.

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Alvin NE WI

07-21-2003 17:25:32




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 Re: Shop lights in reply to Peter Kosloski, 07-21-2003 11:29:55  
I wouldn't want them for any reading or close work in a shop. I'll take the old fashioned fouresent lights any time.



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LanceM

07-21-2003 15:11:08




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 Re: Shop lights in reply to Peter Kosloski, 07-21-2003 11:29:55  
Something tells me you don't want to use them for indoor lighting, but I don't remember why, I was thinking of doing the same thing. Seems there is something about hurting your eyes if the outer glass envelope were to break but the lamp would still light, UV?, but maybe I'm wrong.

Look for some used High pressure sodium or metal halide lights like they use in factorys. I picked up 4 of them used out of a factory surplus place for $35 a piece with bulbs. 400W each, together they put out about the same amount of light as 40 4' florsenant bulbs. They start in the cold and the light is great under the metal halide, sodium puts out more light but it is yellow. The 4 of them light up my shop like daylight, best money I ever spent! The bulbs are good for 10-20,000 hours I think.

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Scott Green

07-24-2003 03:28:37




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 Re: Re: Shop lights in reply to LanceM, 07-21-2003 15:11:08  
Lance , I remember reading (I think on the box) not to use for indoor use. I too don't remember why.



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DAve K (IN)

07-21-2003 17:31:08




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 Re: Re: Shop lights in reply to LanceM, 07-21-2003 15:11:08  
Looking for used Metal Halide fixtures is a good idea. They come as low, medium or high bay types that refer to the mounting height for proper light distribution. Anything under about 15' should use a low bay type if you can find it.

If the outer envelope of the lamp breaks it can emit dangerous radiation if they continue in operation. Newer fixtures use a "self extinguishing arc" type lamp. Older ones may not have this.

One other thing, we usually intall a couple of incandescent fixtures on a seperate switch along with the HID lamps for a quick trip into the shop since the lamps require several minutes to come up to full brightness and it is the starting that is hardest on lamp life. A couple of 150 watt incandescent lamps give you enough light is get around if you are not working.

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