Mid century modern home needs light tray lighting (x-post)

10 years ago

Our house has light trays that run around the perimeter of most rooms and in door ways. The trays currently have fluorescent bulbs which aren't dimmable and it's too bright in there. They also buzz loudly and flicker when we turn them on, so we'd like to replace them (we've investigated dimmable fluorescents but that's not an option).

So, GW'ers, my question to you is: what sort of fixture is warm and dimmable and would work in these light trays? We were thinking LED tape lights, but we bought some sample 25w tape lights at Home Depot this weekend. They're pretty dim and aren't as warm as we would have liked. It could have been the HD brand we got, but I think we're going to need something with more light output and (hopefully) something warmer.

There are a lot of light trays in the house -- pretty much every room has at least three trays, so we'll need a lot of lighting. The light trays previously had glass or plexiglass that we removed during the remodel and we need to replace with new glass.

Here's a photo of the current lighting situation (during remodel):

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Comments (2)

ionized_gw
10 years ago
These are 4' T12? If so, reconsider linear fluorescent. Modern ballasts run at 20,00-60,000 Hz rather than 60 Hz so you can not hear them. No flickering either. Even i they are odd length, it might be worth it.

You can install T8 or T5. I've never been particularly fond of the idea of dimming arc lamps, but why are you against it? What you might consider is installing the lamps in groups of three in each tray if they fit. Switch them so either one or two come on in each group with a switch throw. That way you have three light levels, one lamp, two lamps or three lamps/group (33%. 67% or 100% if you use all the same ballasts).

Adjust the amount of light installed by using low, normal or high ballast factor ballasts. There are now ballasts that can operate at two or three brightnesses as well. They use a separate control wire rather than a dimmer. Light quality and color are better than ever. CRI 90 is not unusual, and higher is available. Triphosphor tubes are available in color temps from 3000 to 6500 with lots of choices in between.

You might well be able to use your existing luminaires if that is easier. You have to pay attention to the sockets. Are they instant start types or rapid start? I'd not install instant start in homes under normal circumstances. They are no good for frequent switching. If you can't run another switch loop to the switch boxes easily, you might be able to find a remote that will work.

You can keep searching for LEDs, but cost will be much higher, and light quality will be lower. Even lifetime cost might be higher if you pack enough leds up there to have the same light as linear Fl. Installation costs certainly will be very high.
David
10 years ago
Possibilities
1. LED light panels. For example
http://www.nu-wo.com/index.php/led-light-panels

2. Cove lighting in place of the light panels.

3. Direct replacement of the fluorescent units
http://www.cree.com/News-and-Events/Cree-News/Press-Releases/2013/June/~/link.aspx?_id=4695017390E44E97A4424109B8EAD620&_z=z

4. Cree CR series troffers.
http://www.cree.com/Lighting/Products/Indoor/Troffers/CR-Series

5. Dimmable ballasts with T8 tubes and step dimmers. This is another possibility that you could look at again. Then again, ...
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Mid century modern home needs light tray lighting (x-post)

Comments (2)

ionized_gw

David

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