The fluorescents in my basement will be replaced as the ballasts die.

I'm a really late comer to this topic. I've been a fan of LED lighting for some time. All the lighting in my home is LED. My wife didn't like the light color of the 5000K so I switched to the soft white bulbs and fixtures which are more like the incadescent lighting. Been wanting to replace the florescent lighting in my shop with 5000K led's but haven't done it yet. It really becomes a necessity when the cold weather comes because the florescent lighting flickers constantly in the cold shop. The LED's also save on the utility bill.

 Great job on the carport !

26 minutes ago, Al B said:

It really becomes a necessity when the cold weather comes because the florescent lighting flickers constantly in the cold shop.

 

That was the problem with the carport lights.  In the winter, or just a little cold they sometimes would both come on, sometimes just one, and sometimes they just didn't feel like it today and neither came on.  For the cost of a ballast for both 2 bulb florescent  fixtures I got 4 LED fixtures and no more issues with maybe working.

 

Sold 10 florescent fixtures and 40 bulbs I had used in the shop for years to a guy this afternoon.  He had need and mine were cheaper than new ones, and I had extra bulbs.  This carport project is taking less on  my budget than I had thought.  So far I have $100 in lights, and $45 in some vinyl J channel.  Only other item I don't have is 4 mounting plates for outlets.  That runs me $45.  Got that covered with the light sale and even had some extra.   After pulling out all the soffit I had tucked away I counted and have enough of that to handle the entire ceiling.  Just needs some pressure washing before installing.

 

This will be one of my less expensive upgrades for the house.    

Have yet to wire my stand alone garage, but now I know exactly what I am going to do.  Was wondering if 4 of the 4 footers will be sufficient and after seeing yours, I am sure it will be more than enough.  All my lights in the house are being changed to LED.  It's amazing how much light you get for so much less.  Actually, on my electric bill, I have a levelized plan.  I can average better than they can.  So, in the heat of the summer when I spend the most on electricity, I had enough money in the account that my bill was $2 this month.  Yep, all of 2.  Next month, the new average will be about what I was paying all along.  So, I took advantage of this month.  And, as Al stated, changing out all lights with LED, cooler, and cheaper.  The local power company is not happy with me.  I pay all of $114 per month which includes all my power tools.  Maybe, I should change to hand tools.  

Steve, bear in mind that aging isn't kind to eyes. What might be sufficient light today may not be so bright tomorrow. One way to get around the unknown quantity problem is to with your ceiling with switch outlets, then buy the fixtures that just plug in. Doing so allows you to add lights later with no more effort that screwing them o the ceiling. Most LED fixtures also allow you to daisy chain them up to 4 or fixtures, so with a just a few outlets you can have the lighting you need. I'll be the first to admit, it does have a slight redneck look to it compared to hard wired fixtures....but it's so much easier I can live with that.

12 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I'll be the first to admit, it does have a slight redneck look to it compared to hard wired fixtures....but it's so much easier I can live with that.

Same here but for the shop, ideal as you never know when you might add another or they come out with something new.

 

Another detail about the garage is it does not have a ceiling, so I think I'll purchase the lights with the white reflector so the light is focused downward and not escape up into the rafter area.  I think I can get away with 4 units of 4 footers dual lights.  If memory serves correctly, they are about 22 watts each.  But, they are very bright.  The outside lights will also be LED, but will look like the traditional fixtures.  I really like the idea of plugging in as it makes it easier to connect over head at this age.  I'm just 71.

 

 

1 minute ago, FlGatorwood said:

Another detail about the garage is it does not have a ceiling, so I think I'll purchase the lights with the white reflector so the light is focused downward and not escape up into the rafter area.  I think I can get away with 4 units of 4 footers dual lights.  If memory serves correctly, they are about 22 watts each.  But, they are very bright.  The outside lights will also be LED, but will look like the traditional fixtures.  I really like the idea of plugging in as it makes it easier to connect over head at this age.  I'm just 71.

 

 

Steve I do not think with a 5000 K led that the reflector will make a difference if you get it cheaper without get one a try it .

One of the nicer things (to me) about the LED lamps is the light weight. If you've tried to hang the florescent lamps with those 10# ballasts in them....balancing the fixture while you tried to screw it to the ceiling...the LED are a Godsend. Plus, there's the no annoying hum and radio interference.

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Plus, there's the no annoying hum and radio interference.

 

That was a big thumbs up for me too.  I changed almost all my lights to LED this winter.  Last years high Summer bill was $94.00 this years high Summer bill was $71.00.  Big difference.

@FlGatorwood keep in mind that the LEDs are only on the bottom of the fixture with a light reflection at 180 degrees. I screwed mine to a board that allowed me to center it over the saw. I have since added one to light the rest of the work area. At about $13.00 for a 2 lamp fixture I've been hard pressed to find anything cheaper.

  

Progress is slow.  Not much actually to show for what has been done.  Cleaned all the soffit, it was dirty from being stored.  Had a few pieces that had turned yellowish.  Found a youtube video that suggested I could bring them back to white by using Salon Care 40 volumizer crème and letting sit in the sun for a few hours.  For $4 I got 32 oz bottle and tried it out.

 

Excellent results.  I smeared it on and put saran wrap over it to keep the cream from drying out to quickly.  After 4 hours I rinsed off and all back to white.

 

 

So with this test done I will do the other 3 pieces and if all goes as planned, I have enough to do this job.  Just barely. At most I need 1 piece of 12ft siding.

 

Now back to the LED lights for the motion sensor.  Got these 4 inch round soffit lights at Amazon.  LINK

 

9 watts at 550 lumen, got them in warm white.  No really looking to blind myself when they come on.  Put one up as a test to see how well they do.

Impressive for only 9 watts.  I plan to put up 4 in all.  3 down the side of the house where people normally walk.  The other one right above the drivers door of the truck.  Because hey I might want to see when I get home.    This does add some more time to wiring this all up.  But it solved the issue of whether I was going to take up the floor in the attic above.  Yes, it has to be done.  Thankfully I installed with screws so should be easy enough to move a few pieces at a time to get this all wired in.

 

 

 

The soft white 3000K  LED's is the light color my wife prefered for in the house lighting. A bit more like the incadescent lighting it replaced.

1 minute ago, Al B said:

A bit more like the incadescent lighting it replaced.

Yes, the 3000K are what we used for the house fixtures we have replaced so far.  The 5000K are great for task lighting and such in the shop or outside.  But inside when I just tested one of the shop lights and held it up my wife said she was blinded. 

 

Of course I told her my pants were indeed still on.

Interesting tip about the Salon Care 40 Volumizer (whatever that means) creme...I'll have to write that down somewhere (I know I won't remember it).

By my standards () you are doing pretty darned good at the progress! 

And, I will now wonder what's going on every time I see some woman (or man) walking around with their head wrapped in saran wrap with some type of goo under it!

14 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Interesting tip about the Salon Care 40 Volumizer (whatever that means) creme...I'll have to write that down somewhere (I know I won't remember it).

Got this at Sally's Beauty Supply.

 

 

Tonight's work, about 1/4 of the way down the line.  I am off tomorrow might get it all done.  Weather promises to be 95F, that should be fun!  At some point I have to get in the attic and remove floor panels to run the wires for the outlets and now 4 round downlights.  Had to rig up two holders I screw into ceiling so I could wrestle a 12 ft piece of soffit up by myself.  Not perfect, I could stop and get some 2x8's and make a bench I suppose.  Nah, not spending a dime I don't have to. 

 

 

 

I wonder if any other hair creme would work as well.  Something that could be picked up in a regular department store.  

15 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

Something that could be picked up in a regular department store.  

Not sure, found the idea on YouTube and the guy used this.  Said it had 12% Hydrogen Peroxide.  As I found it quickly and local I never bothered to check into anything else.  Of course the woman checking me out had the Mr. Spock Eyebrow going on.   

 

Probably didn't help when I asked if it worked good on pubic hair.  

Ah!!!! Hydrogen Peroxide.  Secret's out.  Thanks.