Not all lights are equal

[Ross]

With this title, I want to inform readers that not all brands or configurations of t5 light banks are equal. Price is not necessarily the deciding factor (to me). I purchased a Sunblaze (popular brand) 44 (48" nominal length) 4 tube fixture a while back and it seemed to do quite well. I mean, the light was bright and all. It's just that I noticed that only one of the 4 tubes was real bright and the others were dim. I still haven't figured out why. Maybe it's the ballast. Maybe it's the setup or tubes. Who knows. To make a long story shorter, I purchased a New Wave brand fixture which came with GE brand bulbs and has German 95% reflectance aluminum reflectors. It also is 2" wider, meaning wider reflectors. The foot-candle readings went up dramitically:

With old light setup (SunBlaze):

At bulb surface: 2800 FCs
12" from bulbs: 600 FCs
24" from bulbs: 200 FCs

With the New Wave fixture and GE bulbs:

at bulb surface: 2900 FCs
10": 1600 FCs
14": 1400 FCs
24": 700 FCs

This is a dramatic improvement. I attribute most of this to the better tubes and the better reflectors. So you get what you pay for, in my mind.

Hope these figures will help someone make a sensible decision.

All measurements taken with Sper Scientific 840020 light meter.

[Becca]

Hi Ross! I am glad the lights are working great for you! I am sure you will see great results! Like you said, you get what you pay for. Did you happen to see the Tek lights? My goal is to have a few of those someday!

[FinnBar]

Interesting info Ross.
from what i've understood high quality reflectors will add light's penetrative qualities, light intensity in other words.
by high quality i mean the material, the shape and size.
(some manufacturers have actually created their reflector shapes based on computer calculations)
bigger doesn't necessarily mean better because the smaller the source area, the better the intensity.
that's why metal halide has such great light intensity.

[Bird Song Farm]

Very helpful Ross, I need to build a shelving unit with lighting this summer and need all the help I can get.
I have a wall 10' long by 2' deep by 7 1/2' tall that I would like to convert to lighted shelves.
Any ideas, suggestions, would be greatly appreciated as your expertise in lighting is incredible. Perhaps a 'what would you do' idea? If you prefer, PM me or perhaps we could start a new thread.
Thank you,
Al

[Ross]

Al, did you see this thread? Hi from a new member in the midwest John discusses his basement setup and there are some good tips and ideas in the thread.

[Bird Song Farm]

Thanks Ross, no, I hadn't found that thread. It looks like it will take some time to go through and I'm short of that today so will check it out soon.
May get back to you on lighting, I need inexpensive to operate as my retirement fixed income is fixed much to low!! LOL

Thanks again,
Al