Lighting on my reloading bench

300BLK

Well-Known Member
I'm done with fluorescents as well. A few months back I replaced the 24" fluorescent above the kitchen sink with a similar LED fixture. Its hidden behind a valance between cabinets, so no beauty queen was required.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-...ommon-2-ft-Actual-5-75-in-x-24-13-in/50244369

I see they have a less expensive version that will be perfect for the laundry room, my reloading bench, and above my casting bench.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-...mmon-2-ft-Actual-3-23-in-x-24-01-in/999911227
 

JSH

Active Member
I just talked to a buddy that works in an electric supply house today. LED's came up in the conversation. He mentioned they have a tube LED that takes the place of the fluorescent bulb.
A little rewiring and removal of the ballast and use your old fixture. I am going to inquire into it in the future, just bought a case of fluorescent bulbs a week ago.

I got a 4' LED shop light at SAMs a while back to put over the lathe. Man oh man like the sun with no heat. The 4' lights have a plug and a cord so you can add them in a series.
Jeff
 

Ian

Notorious member
Jeff, I've been told there is also a direct-replacement LED that runs off the ballast voltage. Or as you were told just bypass the ballast and direct-wire the pins to 110VAC with the other bulbs, which is probably a much better option.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
We put the 4 ft tube replacements in our kitchen. Took an hour to remove the ballasts and get the tubes installed. Instant on, white light, and no tendency to yellow or dim with time.
I have a 2 tube LED 4 ft fixture right above the lathe and another above the casting bench. Makes all the difference in the world.
 

waco

Springfield, Oregon
I put a 48" LED above the loading bench. I need a few more in the shop over the casting area. Much better than fluorescent.
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
totally diff angle, but... Home Depot has an LED light bar that has a bluetooth speaker in it. ~$50. Put one over my loading bench, and the lighting is great. Very bright/white. Speaker is a big plus. Going to put one over my wood working tools in the garage as well.
 

Lagamor

New Member
The LED bulbs have come a long way in a few short years. I bought some when they came out, as a novelty. They would take a second or two to come on and the wife hated them. But the new ones aren't like that at all. Glad they worked that kink out of them.
Got newer ones in several places around the house and they come on instantly, but there's one that takes a couple of seconds to warm up and get to full brightness. Plan on changing it when it burns out, but that might take a few years.
 

Fiddler

Active Member
I broke the glass 'bulb' portion of a 14W LED a few weeks back and it was very bright. Put it over the loading bench yesterday and I'm thinking it's a much brighter area to work in.
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
totally diff angle, but... Home Depot has an LED light bar that has a bluetooth speaker in it. ~$50. Put one over my loading bench, and the lighting is great. Very bright/white. Speaker is a big plus. Going to put one over my wood working tools in the garage as well.

Put same light over the wood shop section of my garage. Same results. GREAT light, and bluetooth speaker to boot.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
I have worked in GI Ammo 22 LR through 16" for 22 yr .

The thought occurred to me as I backed in under the solar driven LED parking lot lights and the light noise blanked my radio .

We were big on RF . No phones or radios in buildings or immediate to ammo .........don't know how that worked out with the commercial carriers with required tracking and CBs let alone alternator noise .
If the big street light LED fixtures will blank 100-108 FM just like that alternator whine and a 12 watt 2 way is prohibited the LED could be a problem with the open powder and primers on our benches .

Loose random thoughts to explore . The transmission frequency may be to high or low for the imagined spark potential found in the explosive workers guides but just a thought to think on and explore .
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Crap RB - never thought about that... That is scary... Maybe I need to do a little homework on then LED light I have...

Also, might also explain why my XM radio is blanking out in the exact same places more and more...
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
Nobody would ....... I doubt that even our local safety has given it a thought . I would venture that the possibility of an event is down there with escaping a bear mauling just in time to get dragged into the water by an orca only to be saved by a lighting strike .

I've read that the tube floresent lights will mess with the digital scales . So there is something there too , but they are approved for use . In ammo areas .
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
I would venture that the possibility of an event is down there with escaping a bear mauling just in time to get dragged into the water by an orca only to be saved by a lighting strike .

OK - that right there is funny, I don't care who you are! and having said that, about my luck, except that the lightning would strike ME and save the orca from a bad taste in it's mouth!
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Interesting article. I must have gotten lucky with my LED purchases because this is the first I've heard of this and there isn't any problem with radios, cell phones etc. here. In fact there is a 60w equivalent LED bulb about 18 inches from my Bose radio in the living room. I don't have any cheaper off brands, maybe that's why. I bought them all pretty early on when LED's were just hitting the market and there wasn't anything cheap about them.