C'mon Baby, Light M...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

C'mon Baby, Light My Man Cave

23 Posts
19 Users
10 Reactions
154 Views
Posts: 5222
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Amongst the many DIY jobs the LHG has requested I complete I'm trying to finish off my man cave. It's a windowless space, approximately 2.4m wide and 3.8m long. There is a 600mm wide work bench along one of the short walls. I have three strip lights; one in line with the work bench, 700mm from the wall. The other two are parallel with the long wall, positioned centrally between the work bench strip light and the far wall and about 750mm from the outside walls. These positions are not set in stone so before I finalise the conduit to each light is there anything to be gained by repositioning them?


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 5:16 pm
Posts: 15068
Full Member
 

Hard to say without seeing it... Can you wire them to an extension lead before fitting them permanently?

3 strip lights sounds a lot for that space though if they are long ones and LED.

I've recently got this in my basement and it's pretty good..

https://www.yesss.co.uk/batten-led-single-5ft-37w-4000k-3700lm


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 5:33 pm
Posts: 5222
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Not LED, 5ft fluorescents, but they were free...


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 5:47 pm
Posts: 6829
Full Member
 

If putting a light over a workbench, make sure it’s directly above, or towards the wall otherwise when you lean over your head and shoulders cast an annoying shadow.


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 5:54 pm
mattyfez, fasthaggis, prettygreenparrot and 3 people reacted
Posts: 1497
Full Member
 

Excuse the mess I've been busy but this how my shed looks. Same sort of idea as your meaning I think but a bit bigger. I've 5 ( yes there's only 4 in the photo) of  these https://www.toolstation.com/integral-led-lightspan-ip20-ik08-batten/p1825 . And they are plenty bright.
17166602009003278179472873016458


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 7:08 pm
Posts: 5222
Free Member
Topic starter
 

IMG_6760


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 7:11 pm
Posts: 6219
Full Member
 

What's a LHG?


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 7:14 pm
Posts: 1497
Full Member
 

If you're happy with how the light is then leave them where they are. Any reason to use conduit though? Or just to look better?


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 7:18 pm
Posts: 5222
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Or just to look better?

This. It's only a couple of quid but it'll look much better.


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 7:21 pm
Posts: 13240
Free Member
 

What’s an LHG?

Local Health Group ( there may have been a hazard risk in the area)

Labour Housing Group ( The space is needed for canvassing politicians)

Left Handed Giant ( the OP lives with a fairytale creature)


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 7:55 pm
Posts: 3007
Full Member
 

Long haired General aka SWMBO


 
Posted : 25/05/2024 8:01 pm
Posts: 7932
Free Member
 

Not LED, 5ft fluorescents, but they were free…

If you can splurge £75 for three LED battens you'll get about 16 squazillion lumens more light.


 
Posted : 26/05/2024 9:37 am
 5lab
Posts: 7921
Free Member
 

Yeah I'd be upgrading the battens to led as well, far nicer overall


 
Posted : 26/05/2024 10:00 am
Posts: 2819
Free Member
 

Holy thread resurrection!

I have a garage that has 4x 5ft fluorescent tubes.

I want to replace with LEDs.  What size/output do i need to at least equal what i have now?

Thanks


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 12:37 pm
Posts: 632
Free Member
 

one in line with the work bench, 700mm from the wall

So the bench is in the shadow of your own head when you are using it?


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 12:46 pm
Posts: 10333
Full Member
 

I'd paint the walls white if poss. My garage is brick on the inside and daaark, even with 3 or 4 (can't remeber) LED strip lights it still isn't bright enough. One day when the weather is nice, I'm going to empty it and paint it....

Also agree about the light above the work bench, mine is too far back and it's a PITA!


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 12:57 pm
Posts: 13369
Full Member
 

I use these in various sizes in my garage. Brighter than the multitude of fluorescent tubes I replaced and so easy to fit. There is a cable coming out of one end you connect and then the light just clips into some spring clip holders.

The lights are light (unheavy) enough to be held with a single clip if necessary.I have one above the side worksurface near the window mounted closer to the wall rather than directly over my head to avoid shadows. During the day, the window gives enough light but as the evening comes, the light is perfect and the daylight tone is much nicer to work under than the bright white I have in a couple of other places.

They are also cheap enough that I ended up fitting more, smaller units as it was easier for me and gave a greater spread of light with no shadow areas.


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 1:00 pm
Posts: 3238
Full Member
 

I bought LED battons for mine and they were great up until about 2-3 months past their warranty period when they one by one all failed.  They're very easy to replace but I don't like throwing the whole thing away (or even recycling it) seems a huge waste of plastic.

I do like these though. They look very funky.

Hexagon Lighting – Garage Style (garagestyleltd.com) 


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 1:45 pm
Posts: 3265
Full Member
 

I have to support the LED battens recommendations. Made a world of difference to our cellars and garage.

Left Handed Giant ( the OP lives with a fairytale creature)

That also brews delicious 🍺 https://lefthandedgiant.com


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 1:50 pm
Posts: 3991
Full Member
 

I got two of these from Screwfix, for my standard single garage. One over the workbench at the back and one in the middle. Didn't bother at the front as that's where the door is so we don't really do much in that area. Never felt like I needed more light.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-reeve-twin-4ft-led-batten-36w-3300lm-220-240v/476pp


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 3:03 pm
Posts: 6071
Free Member
 

Holy thread resurrection! I have a garage that has 4x 5ft fluorescent tubes.

I want to replace with LEDs. What size/output do i need to at least equal what i have now?

You'll have to do some homework... e.g. a fluorescent 49W T5, 1450mm long tube produces around 4300 lumen

Equivalent LED is, for example, 37W 1200mm, 4400 lumen, but you'll pay c£100 to swap all four. https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-oxbo-twin-4ft-led-batten-37w-4400lm-220-240v/733pp

Pocket and green-wise I'd be tempted to stick with the existing lamps for the amount of time that you (probably) spend in the shed. When one goes then I'd change the lot


 
Posted : 13/06/2024 3:19 pm
Posts: 33325
Full Member
 

I replaced the overhead kitchen ceiling fluorescent tube with an LED tube some years ago, it was a Wilco’s one, I think I paid about £19 for it, may have been less, but it’s still working, it just required a dummy ballast insert fitted.
Much nicer light than fluorescent, and less subliminal flicker or buzzing.


 
Posted : 14/06/2024 1:05 am
Posts: 13369
Full Member
 

Makes sense to just replace what you have when they die. Perhaps put in 1 or 2 LED where you need them and then the others over time. When I did it, the biggest faff was removing the old tubes and fittings. Adding new ones was 2 wires into 2 wire connectors. 1 screw in each metal bracket* and clip in the new light.

I have one above one bench that I have held up by a single clip and left a long wire on the end. If I want, I can easily unclip it and use it as an inspection light. Bloody bright and a bit big at 3ft but great to light up under a car or similar.

*no need for 2 if screwing into wooden joists and it lets you rotate the lights if you change your mind about the direction they should run.


 
Posted : 14/06/2024 8:14 am
Posts: 1114
Full Member
 

I do find if its been a particularly cold night then the LED tubes flicker where as the old style tubes don't, but they do take forever to warm up and go bright.

I have 10 sets of doubles in my garage, 6 in the ceiling and the other four angled at the edges to point down at the work surfaces to illuminate without a head shaped shadow


 
Posted : 14/06/2024 8:19 am

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!