LED Tube lights

Who has them and have they survived cold weather?

Lots of ricers by me use them for underglow and DIY eyelashes. I know a guy using them as auxiliary brake lights on a Samurai (in the gap above the rear bumper, it looks cool too!). Can't tell you how they work in cold weather, but they seem to be rock-solid reliable in warm weather.

Are you talking about the LED tubes that are replacements for fluorescent tubes? They shouldn't have any issues with cold weather (for that matter, a modern T8 fluorescent should be good down to 0 degrees F) but you have to look carefully at the lumen numbers - they may or may not have the same amount of light as the fluorescents you want to replace. Also, check the color temperature to make sure you get what you want.

stuart in mn wrote: Are you talking about the LED tubes that are replacements for fluorescent tubes? They shouldn't have any issues with cold weather (for that matter, a modern T8 fluorescent should be good down to 0 degrees F) but you have to look carefully at the lumen numbers - they may or may not have the same amount of light as the fluorescents you want to replace. Also, check the color temperature to make sure you get what you want.

Yes, Replacing t5 bulbs in the garage. it gets down to -10F out there.

Oh I thought you meant the 12v LEDs in a flexible tube.

Should be fine. One of the early applications for LED lighting (when they were still really expensive) was in in cold-boxes and freezers. LED drivers don't like heat.

Looking at something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-ft-LED-Linkable-White-Shop-Light-54103161/205331022

Just don't want to drop the money if they are just going to burn out quick

In reply to Grtechguy:

Hard to say. A quick Google search indicates they're fairly new and not many folks have installed them and none have much time with them. If they're like some of the inexpensive fluorescents I've bought from Lowes Depot, it'll be a crap-shoot. Most will be fine, some will burn out. With stuff like this, the big difference in cost is often in the quality control and pre-package testing. Keep your receipts.

I picked up 2 from Costco for cheaper than $40, still in the box though. Those HD reviews look good though.

LEDs put out MORE light in colder weather.

LEDs like cold. I just installed a barn's worth of them.

just make sure you shop the right color temps you're expecting.

hotter temps for that office light look, cooler temps for that more golden warm light bulb look.

Kendall_Jones wrote: I picked up 2 from Costco for cheaper than $40, still in the box though. Those HD reviews look good though.

I have 13 of those. I put two in the garage and the rest in the basement. Much better lighting than the T12 lights they replaced.

I don't expect to have any problems with them in the unheated garage. In fact, that is why I put the first two in the garage. The T12's took forever to light up when it was cold and some times wouldn't light at all.

When I saw how much better the garage was lit I decide to replace all the fluorescents in the basement.

we use them in our cold storage rooms at coca-cola. they are fantastic. they last twice what the box says they will in the cold, too. highly recommend the sylvania brand.

-J0N

Hal wrote:

Kendall_Jones wrote: I picked up 2 from Costco for cheaper than $40, still in the box though. Those HD reviews look good though.

I have 13 of those. I put two in the garage and the rest in the basement. Much better lighting than the T12 lights they replaced. I don't expect to have any problems with them in the unheated garage. In fact, that is why I put the first two in the garage. The T12's took forever to light up when it was cold and some times wouldn't light at all. When I saw how much better the garage was lit I decide to replace all the fluorescents in the basement.

I have 12 of them. 8 in the barn and 4 in the garage. They are fantastic so far, but I've only had them for a few months. But the cold performance thing was a big reason I finally ditched the flourescents in the barn. They barely worked at all in the winter.

How many would you put in a two stall garage?

I made my own. I pulled the ballasts and tubes and applied something similar to this to the reflector housing. A 4-tube lamp held a full 5 meter roll very well. It works quite well. I don't think it's as bright as the four tubes were, but the color seems to make up for it. When I'm working under the hood, the light seems more brilliant. I'm getting ready to do a few more. They survived the winter fine, and light up immediately. I use a 1 amp phone charger for power.
I've been using the LED strips a lot. I made an under-bunk light for my son's bunk bed

I also did lights inside of a closet for my daughter. I'll post pics if I can find them.

Grtechguy wrote: How many would you put in a two stall garage?

I used 4. It's plenty bright, much better than the two 200w bulbs it replaced.

Keep in mind LEDs will cause RF interference. Too close to the garage door opener and it wont RX a remote very well. If thye arent close to it, you should have nothign to worry about.

I bought two of the twin tube LED assemblies from Costco. They work great, much brighter and more consistent than the florescent they replaced. I need to replace the other two assemblies I have out there, but I'm waiting until the bulbs burn out.

+1 to what all have said about LED's working better in colder than hotter.