Author Topic: Syslite Duo LED light for workshop / garage? (Read 3400 times)

fire7x · « **on:** March 08, 2020, 07:34 PM »

Garage lacks lighting

I’m thinking of the Syslite DUO LED light for the space?

Otherwise I’d have to install permanent light fixture.

Would this work well?

I need more lighting and like the idea it’s mobile.

CarlsonCarpentry · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2020, 07:51 PM »

At $20 a piece (after coupon) these are priceless. No wiring just plug in. Could light a large garage with 4-6.
I had two large Milwaukee m18 radius lights hanging from my ceiling ($200-some) and one of these leds replaces those and works much better.
Just an idea.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-Ft-LED-Hanging-Shop-Light-64410.html

fire7x · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2020, 08:03 PM »

I’ve thought of that but the ceiling is so low already I’m not sure I want anything hanging from it.

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2020, 09:50 PM »

One of the great things about the new led shop lights is the light weight. So easy to install! Could nearly tape them up.

Recently HD online had these things on sale. I bought a few and after installing I had to buy a visor to keep them out of my line of sight. 18k lumens

denovo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2020, 12:31 AM »

You would need at least two to properly light a workshop/garage and avoid harsh shadows that make it hard to work. A large two car garage would probably need three.

mrB · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2020, 09:12 AM »

Multiple lights are definitely going to serve you better I think.

Bert Vanderveen · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2020, 09:38 AM »

The Duo is overkill. It puts out a LOT of light. I bought one shortly after its introduction, but traded it for a bunch of plywood.

Gregor · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2020, 07:02 PM »

In recent months I used https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01FSRRX18/ (no advertisement, just for something to look at), which at ~14€ are cheap enough (ok, getting them directly from china would likely drop the price to a single digit) to not really care about that part.

jonnyrocket · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2020, 11:17 AM »

I agree that there are better options. I purchased 3 of these 6-packs. My garage/shop is lit like daylight. I couldn’t be happier. They’ve been installed for a little over 2 years without any issues.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U86zEbWB74CDK

Cheese · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2020, 12:02 PM »

Quote from: jonnyrocket on March 10, 2020, 11:17 AM

I agree that there are better options. I purchased 3 of these 6-packs. My garage/shop is lit like daylight. I couldn’t be happier. They’ve been installed for a little over 2 years without any issues.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U86zEbWB74CDK

Thanks to the suggestion from @jonnyrocket I recently replaced all of the 8' & 4' fluorescent fixtures in the basement with a 10-pack of 8' Barrina LED sticks.

The fluorescent lights were 4000K x 75 watts, and a total of 4 tubes = 300 watts.

The Barrina LED's are 5000K x 72 watts, and a total of 3 tubes = 216 watts.

So 3 tubes of LED's easily put out twice the luminosity of the 4 fluorescent tubes. The LED lighting is brighter, whiter, has better color rendering, has a wider beam spread and actually makes the room seem larger because they don't hang so far down on the floor joists.

Installation is a breeze, 2 screws & 2 brackets. Forget the chains, "S" hooks and all the rest of the nonsense.

So 10 Barrina LED's replaced 8 each 8' fluorescents and 10 each 4' fluorescents. 720 watts vs 1000 watts & at least twice the amount of light.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RKZFD5Z/ref=emc_b_5_t

Syslite Duo LED light for workshop / garage?

rst · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2020, 12:13 PM »

These are fantastic lights, I bought a six pack of eight footers for my shop. Liked them so much that I bought a pack of four footers so that I could replace the various 12 of fluorescent lights in my closets by connecting them with eight footers. My wife is also enthralled with the illumination.

StanB · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2020, 07:04 PM »

I also have these 8ft leds. 15 units. Crazy bright.

Rick Herrick · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2020, 07:17 PM »

Quote from: blaszcsj on March 18, 2020, 07:04 PM

I also have these 8ft leds. 15 units. Crazy bright.

I would never leave that shop. Man, thats some nice room to move around.

Gregor · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:54 AM »

I would like to buy them, but they don't seem to be easily available in the EU.

Cheese · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2020, 01:27 PM »

Quote from: Gregor on March 19, 2020, 11:54 AM

I would like to buy them, but they don't seem to be easily available in the EU.

Try Amazon.de as they do have the 4 foot long version and the 8 foot long fluorescent lamp replacement version.

Rick Herrick · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2020, 02:45 PM »

I just bought a 6-pack of the 4' version from Amazon last night. Looking forward to them getting here.

jeffinsgf · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2020, 03:45 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on March 18, 2020, 12:02 PM

Thanks to the suggestion from @jonnyrocket I recently replaced all of the 8' & 4' fluorescent fixtures in the basement with a 10-pack of 8' Barrina LED sticks.

The fluorescent lights were 4000K x 75 watts, and a total of 4 tubes = 300 watts.

The Barrina LED's are 5000K x 72 watts, and a total of 3 tubes = 216 watts.

So 3 tubes of LED's easily put out twice the luminosity of the 4 fluorescent tubes. The LED lighting is brighter, whiter, has better color rendering, has a wider beam spread and actually makes the room seem larger because they don't hang so far down on the floor joists.

Installation is a breeze, 2 screws & 2 brackets. Forget the chains, "S" hooks and all the rest of the nonsense.

So 10 Barrina LED's replaced 8 each 8' fluorescents and 10 each 4' fluorescents. 720 watts vs 1000 watts & at least twice the amount of light.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RKZFD5Z/ref=emc_b_5_t

Cheese, why did you choose the 5000K over 6500K? I've read some about the difference, but I'd like to hear your opinion.

Bert Vanderveen · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2020, 03:55 PM »

6500 K is way more 'colder' than 5000 — it’t the range that printers, photographers, jewellers need to work to their standards. 5000 K is in the higher range of what people have in their homes and offices. It figures that in a production environment you try to have the same light conditions as the end user, to avoid disappointment regarding the finish etcetera.

IMO 3000 K is good enough, providing there are sufficient lumen on the objects you are handling. Spot lighting may be more towards the 5000 range.

Cheese · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2020, 05:05 PM »

Bert nailed it on all aspects.

Jeff, 6500K is way too blue for me and I don’t think it renders colors as honestly either.

I think 5000K is pretty optimum.

At any rate...still stoked with the lighting changeover.

Very high recommend.

mike_aa · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2020, 10:02 PM »

@Cheese Did you hardwire the fixtures or use the plug in?

Mike A.

Cheese · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2020, 10:53 PM »

Quote from: mike_aa on March 19, 2020, 10:02 PM

@Cheese Did you hardwire the fixtures or use the plug in?

Great question @mike_aa and I mean that sincerely because in the past, fluorescent fixtures were meant to be hard wired while these LED tubes are really meant to be a plug and play item...ya that works for some, but I have a knee-jerk reaction to wiring these in that manner. Some may find that wire nuts are good enough. I'm not of that belief.

Safety first is my mantra, because for no other reason than I've been zapped by 120 volts many times before and each zap was not a pleasant experience.

I typically use Molex connectors because of their current and voltage ratings and they've become a "standard" in the electrical connector arena.

I'll take some photos tomorrow as to how I've wired these Barrina tubes.

This becomes one of those little annoying things when you're supercharged and focused on installing a new lighting method...then comes the aw sh..t moment. It happened to me...it will happen to others.

mike_aa · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:11 PM »

Thanks @Cheese I noticed that they list a hardwire option, but I wasn't clear how it worked. Looking forward to your photos.

Mike A.

StanB · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:41 PM »

Quote from: mike_aa on March 19, 2020, 11:11 PM

Thanks @Cheese I noticed that they list a hardwire option, but I wasn't clear how it worked. Looking forward to your photos.

Mike A.

@mike_aa I just cut the cord by the switch and routed it thru the ceiling via 6mm hole to a junction box. Used wago fittings to connect in junction box.

jeffinsgf · « **Reply #23 on:** March 20, 2020, 07:54 AM »

Quote from: Cheese on March 19, 2020, 05:05 PM

Bert nailed it on all aspects.

Jeff, 6500K is way too blue for me and I don’t think it renders colors as honestly either.

I think 5000K is pretty optimum.

At any rate...still stoked with the lighting changeover. Very high recommend.

Thanks, Bert & Cheese (sounds like a fast food order).

Just talked to the video guru here in the shop and he said the same thing. Ordering Barinna 5000Ks for my shop.

Sparktrician · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2020, 09:11 AM »

Quote from: Cheese on March 19, 2020, 05:05 PM

Bert nailed it on all aspects.

Jeff, 6500K is way too blue for me and I don’t think it renders colors as honestly either.

I think 5000K is pretty optimum.

At any rate...still stoked with the lighting changeover. Very high recommend.

This graphic may help others understand the concept of color temperature. The numbers shown are degrees Kelvin. 5500K is generally the ideal color temperature for light we perceive as being neutral.

RJNeal · « **Reply #25 on:** March 20, 2020, 10:04 AM »

Thanks Willy for the graphic.
Now that explains everything.
Prefect timing on this as I’m starting to set up my new shop.
Rick.

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #26 on:** March 20, 2020, 11:21 AM »

One area of my shop has nice bright (10,000 lumen) lights at 4000*Kelvin. I like it.

Another area has a long strip of the 5K Barina lights about 2 feet from the wall. I like the Barina but I wish the light was aimed down more. I’m supplementing the strip with monster task lights over work stations, also 5K color 18k lumens.

The difference in color temperature is noticeable. I like the 4K better. It’s a good compromise between what we are used to as indoors and outdoors light. As sparktrician’s chart clearly shows the higher Kelvin the bluer the light. LED’s are already deficient in the lower ~~wavelengths~~ frequencies (red) and adding more blue doesn’t improve that.

A color rendering index rating in the low 80’s is better than most of the fluorescent lights we’re replacing but most of those old lights were the “cool white” variety (not as blue as the “daylight” range which was seldom used.

I wish all my lights were 4K color temp but I’m not doing critical color matching anymore so I can live with it. And it’s nice to think (theoretically) I’ll never have to mess with the lights again.

Cheese · « **Reply #27 on:** March 20, 2020, 02:27 PM »

Quote from: mike_aa on March 19, 2020, 11:11 PM

Thanks @Cheese I noticed that they list a hardwire option, but I wasn't clear how it worked. Looking forward to your photos.

Mike just to give you a bit more info...in one area I used the supplied power cord with in-line switch. In the past I've had issues with this type of arrangement as usually the switch contacts are not robust enough and if you actually use the switch for its intended purpose the switch eventually fails completely or you can hear it arcing, not good.

In this particular application, the normal wall switch will do the actual switching and the in-line switch in the cord will always remain closed. Hopefully because of the small current draw this will not fry the in-line switch prematurely...don't know...I'll find out.

For the hard wired LED's this is what the options are, either a short 6" wire stub which is pretty useless or taking the 4' connecter pieces and cutting them to length. I cut the 4' connector piece to 2' and used that to attach to the Romex.

This is the photo of the Romex + Molex connector + Barrina light connector. I used electrical tape temporarily but just ordered some 4:1 Shrinkflex heat shrink. I tried using the 2:1 heat shrink I already have but it didn't work very well.

Jim_in_PA · « **Reply #28 on:** March 21, 2020, 10:21 AM »

All of my shop lighting is 4' LED lamps from Costco. Cost effective, simple and they plug in. It's like being on the beach in my shop. Work lamps are good for what they are designed for...task lighting, albeit over a larger area, but I wouldn't want to have to use them for general lighting in my shop space because of the height and angle of the lighting, etc. Plus...they are uber expensive compared to the kinds of fixtures I noted I'm using.

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #29 on:** March 21, 2020, 10:42 AM »

If you do need to do color matching higher cri lamps are available at a minimum of 10 times the cost.