Posted: 7/13/2014 6:12:13 PM EDT
| I need some suggestions on what brand/model to look for to replace a fluorescent light fixture in the garage. The only requirements I have are the fixture must plug into a standard 120V outlet and also have a pull chain on/off switch and no more than 4 feet in length as this will be replacing the standard T8 bulb setup. This is the first time I'll be using LED in the home so I'm hoping it'll be beneficial because I'm tired of either the bulbs going out or the fixture itself getting screwed up and not turning on because of cheap chinese manufacturing. |
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I think I'd stick with florescent in the shop. I replace my bulbs when they start looking bad and have not replaced a fixture or ballast in over 10 years. You may need a new fixture.
That being said, I've just put all LED in my kitchen and love them. I did spend well over $400. ETA something more helpful. I just purchased my under cabinet lights for $40 per 18" strip. They are very bright and in metal hard wired white boxes. On sale at Lowes on an end cap. Saw them at two different stores. Rocker on/off but I'd think you could move over to electrical and pick up something to add pull string operation. Working great for about a week now so time will have to tell. |
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Cree makes 4' Led lights. http://www.cree.com/Lighting/Products/Indoor/Lamps/T8-Series I have no experience with those lights but cree led lights are the best IMO. I have a few cree A19 bulbs and a few retrofit downlight kits (cree CR6) and have no complaints. Its at least worth looking into and maybe buying one to test out.
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You have many options. Prices will widely vary based on manufacturer, color temp on the LED's, etc.
You can buy LED's that replace the T8 lamps (it looks like a fluorescent T8 but has LED's.) example lamps You can buy a LED strip that is an equal replacement. EXAMPLE STRIP They even make a retro kit that uses the old fixture housing but you replace the guts. example upgrade kit Color temps matter. A 3000k to 4000k is more of a warm light, whereas a 5000k is going to be a bright white type of light so choose based on your needs. Lumen output is also a factor. Not all are the same. As far as prices, you can figure around $100 for a fixture (from a reputable manufacturer). If you go cheap, you might be fine, you might not. Most LED's will last at least 50,000 hours, but the weak link is always the drivers. Also know the cost savings won't blow you away. a 4' fluorescent is 32 watts. a 4' led strip is around mid 20 watts. LED's make up more when compared to incandescent and HID fixtures. As far as reputable brands, the big boys in Lighting would be Lithonia (Acuity), Hubbell Lighting, GE, Philips Lighting, Cree and Cooper Lighting (there are others, but these are the national guys). |
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Not cheap, and does not have a pull chain (use a switch or wire in a pull chain switch), but the GE Albeo single array low bay LED fixtures are BRIGHT. We have installed several at work to replace failed T12 fixtures.
9000 lumens per fixture will leave halos on your retinas. Also, a life of 50,000 hours pretty much means they will likely outlast you, and with American made GE products, I would believe that to be an accurate rating. |