OT/Shoplights

[Anonymous-0]

What kind of shoplights do you guys use that works good in cold weather and where do you get them.My shoplights are not dependable..Thanks R.M. IN AL

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 00:58:10 06/30/09) What kind of shoplights do you guys use that works good in cold weather and where do you get them.My shoplights are not dependable..Thanks R.M. IN AL

At most supply houses you should be able to buy 8' Low Temperature Fluorescent Light Fixtures.

 

[gahorN]

I got so fed up with flourescent lights and failed light-tubes and power-supplies in "shop-lights" that when I installed permanent lights..... I bought "string" lights. These are the plain-Jane string-of-lights that use ordinary 100-150 Watt incandescent light bulbs. I found them at TSC, but I've also seen them at Home Depot, designed to temporarily illuminate horse-stalls at rodeos and Xmas-tree yards,...they have ten fixtures rated at 1500 watts. (Ten 150-watt bulbs) I installed screw-in double-socket adaptors and use 15 long-life 100 watt bulbs. They instantly light up and illuminate my 2500 sq-ft hangar. I have two strings.

Originally advertised at TSC for $89 each, I waited until they were on-sale and got them for $ 19 each. I only need lighting a few hours each month. If you really need many hours of illumination then substitute compact-flourescent bulbs, which are much less sensitive to colder temps, and frequently have long warranties.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100655360

100' string, each light is 10 ft from the other.

 

[Dunk]

8' Fluorescent Strip Lights that use F96-T12-HO bulbs, should start at down to -20 F.

High Output Channel Strip Light
Commercial grade
High output ballast
Heavy duty channel with easy slide clamp hanging
[color=red:ccba4d8853]Starting temp. -20 [/color:ccba4d8853]
cold weather applications
Uses High output fluorescent tube (not included)
UL listed
Boxed
95-110 watt lamp, uses (2) F96T12CWHO

http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/item/30980/icn/20-234799/american_fluorescent/s296hocwe12.htm

You should be able to get them in CW Cool White, or D Daylight.

 

[dlplost]

mercury vapor, big garage, lights are 14' above ground level.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a 40w fixture that says it will light at zero.It does.I use fluorescent fixtures in an unheated shop.Unplug them in cold weather and turn on some 200 watt bulbs.My wife bought the zero start fixture at Walmart.

 

[tesmith66]

I use the aluminum clamp on "chicken lights" (the ones you put a heat bulb in for the little chicks). I remove the clamp and hang them from the rafters with a 100 watt bulb. Not as efficient as fluorescent, but will light at any temp (we see from -20 to 100+ out here) and the bulbs will last a few years. They throw out great light, too. Best part is they're less than $8 each.

Those cheap shop lights with the electronic ballast always overheat and quit when the ambient temps get above 90.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 00:57:12 06/30/09) 8' Fluorescent Strip Lights that use F96-T12-HO bulbs, should start at down to -20 F.

High Output Channel Strip Light
Commercial grade
High output ballast
Heavy duty channel with easy slide clamp hanging
[color=red:71dfc54586]Starting temp. -20 [/color:71dfc54586]
cold weather applications
Uses High output fluorescent tube (not included)
UL listed
Boxed
95-110 watt lamp, uses (2) F96T12CWHO

http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/item/30980/icn/20-234799/american_fluorescent/s296hocwe12.htm

You should be able to get them in CW Cool White, or D Daylight.

+1 for the HO units. Inexpensive, lots of light, and quick start at 0F. Never tried them any colder - doesn't get there often around here and if it did I wouldn't be in my unheated shop :roll: Mine are hung at 12' and the illumination is super. I have 2 rows of 4 x 8' over a 65x40 floor area and it's like a bright day on the darkest night. HD and Lowes sell them but I got mine at Graingers because I wanted them with a reflector - the box store ones don't come with them.

TOH

 

[Leemo]

Yeppers, I'm with these guys T12s work well. I think I got mine at Lowes for my shop. They're a little dim at first when it's real cold but warm up pretty quick unlike my standard fluorescent ones that may or may not light at all when it's cold.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The new flourescent with electronic balast don't hum and light quickly even when it's cold.The no hum feature is sweet when it gets cold the older style ballast start howling.When my 8' lights started going out,converted them from 2 8' to 4 4' with 1 ballast.Electronic ballast flourescent.My buddies liked the improvement and I thanked them for the ballasts and lamps.