what fluorescent tube temperature for garage?

octane

octane

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So we (the wife and I) bought a new house just outside of town with a big acre lot, and a big garage...

I got a deal for 4x32w T8 fluorescent tube fixtures, but I don't know what color temperature to choose, I know that the CRI is important to get 85+,

does 4000k make sense? 6500k makes more light, but does it look too bluish?

any feedback appreciated!
 
5000K is the closest to pure noon day sun--6500K is too blue and 4000K is too yellow.
 
Yeah, and what's the best wax?

I think I like 4000K, but you do seem to get used to the 5000K after a while.
 
6 fixtures x 4 bulbs, if I go with led tubes, I think the wife would kill me if she found out the price! in Canada the tubes are 25$ a pop thanks to the low value of our dollar... unless other canucks have found a better price?
 
No, those LED tubes are expensive, I think--also be careful I think I had looked into this and they don't put out as much light as the equivalent fluorescent tube.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Holy cow Rasky, that sounds too good to be true--so if I have a T12 fixture, I can just pull the ballast and wire direct and put in 2 T8 LED replacements, which together cost less than a T8 ballast?
Click to expand...

It may depend on the fixture so I would post your question to the thread to be sure, I'm just sharing all the great info someone else provided. I plan to go with the LED fixture setup he has listed in the first post, though I may get 5000k bulbs for $1 more. ;)
 
Photographers & videographers use 5600 Kelvin temp as "Daylight" standard. Try to get a CRI (Color Rendering Index) as high as possible and affordable. (86+)
 
I found some Sylvania Octron value with a cri of 90 for 40$ per dozen, seems like the best compromise. Now to decide on 6000k or 5000k
 
"Sylvania Octron value with a cri of 90 for 40$ per dozen"

Deal! 5000K should be fine, as long as it's uniform all over the room.
 
Jowillie said:
"Sylvania Octron value with a cri of 90 for 40$ per dozen"

Deal! 5000K should be fine, as long as it's uniform all over the room.
Click to expand...

That is just about as important and the color temp IMO.


Bill
 
After reading a ton of articles, I went with 5000k fluorescent. This garage is sort of a temporary detail shop until I can afford my dream garage addition, so I didn't want to put a ton of money into LED fixtures. It feels like daylight in there. I thought it would feel too "blue", having only used the warmer colors in the house before, but it's fine. I like how my finished vehicles look under these lights, even when I usually only take pictures with my iPhone.
 
I didn't worry about color temp. Tubes always look terrible, but I was looking for a really bright garage.

I have 14 two bulb 48" fixtures and I just buy cases of bulbs (48 of them) whenever they are on sale for a buck each at OSH. I change all of them every two years and save them for non critical areas. I have had to replace three fixtures due to ballast failure over the years.
 
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