navycop
Member
I want to put up some type of flourescent light in my backyard. The miilion dollar question is: Knowing how high up to put it for the maximum ground coverage (with out getting rediculas). What wattage to use?
Need an electricians help
- Thread starter navycop
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snyiper
Member
Why not use a Halogen to light up the yard?
monophoto
Member
Two thoughts:
First, fluorescent is not necessarily the best choice for an outdoor light source. In particular, the light output varies with temperature. That means that the output is suppressed when the lamp is initially turned on, and gradually increases over a period of time. And if the ambient temperature is low (do you have winter?), that process can take a very long time.
Second, the luminaire is just as important as the bulb in determining lighting performance. You can buy less expensive luminaires at the home center, or you can buy more expensive luminaires at lighting stores. The manufacturers of the more expensive luminaires publish technical information that you can use to determine the number of luminaires you need, the ratings, the height and spacings, for illuminating a given area. That information is generally not available for the less expensive (imported) products at the home center, so you would have to buy and experiment.
I think I would take a hard look at halogen lamps.
First, fluorescent is not necessarily the best choice for an outdoor light source. In particular, the light output varies with temperature. That means that the output is suppressed when the lamp is initially turned on, and gradually increases over a period of time. And if the ambient temperature is low (do you have winter?), that process can take a very long time.
Second, the luminaire is just as important as the bulb in determining lighting performance. You can buy less expensive luminaires at the home center, or you can buy more expensive luminaires at lighting stores. The manufacturers of the more expensive luminaires publish technical information that you can use to determine the number of luminaires you need, the ratings, the height and spacings, for illuminating a given area. That information is generally not available for the less expensive (imported) products at the home center, so you would have to buy and experiment.
I think I would take a hard look at halogen lamps.
bkersten
Member
In the 70's, I needed a quick measurement in late evening dark at an
accident scene fatality and my flashlight went dead. I held up a flourescent tube I stopped and got for the house, and touched the end prongs to the 2-way radio antenae on the trunk and keyed the mic for 10 seconds. Had more than enough to get the figures i needed. Surprised lots of folks
, even my
Sgt who stopped to help. Of course this wouldn't be the best for you to do.
accident scene fatality and my flashlight went dead. I held up a flourescent tube I stopped and got for the house, and touched the end prongs to the 2-way radio antenae on the trunk and keyed the mic for 10 seconds. Had more than enough to get the figures i needed. Surprised lots of folks
, even mySgt who stopped to help. Of course this wouldn't be the best for you to do.
edicehouse
Member
Mike, you dont have enough lights all ready?
navycop
Member
I hadn't thought of halogan.
I was just curious has to how high the pole had to be to illuminate the ground. Streetlights are so many feet high, football field and baseball fields are so many feet high. I just need to know what is a good hieght to shine on my backyard. If you ever looked at the directions for a weedwaker there is a circle stating the radius to keep people out of (a danger zone). Are there diagrams to show the illumination radius of different types of luminaires?
snyiper
Member
I would guess a minium of 10 ft and a optimum of say 14-16 feet to give you pretty good coverage with a 500 watt halogen.
lorbay
Member
I have used a few of these at some of my buildings and have been very happy with them. The pole light fixture is mounted 40' up and lights up the ground like daylite.
Lin.
Lin.
Halogen burns hot and uses a lot of electricity. Get a mercury vapor. They run cool and use little electricity. They do have a diagram for height to area of coverage. I have one on the front of garage and it lights up the house across the street, approx. 300'. The in-laws have one 20' high and it lights up the whole yard.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
Hess
Member
in TX the co op puts them up for 7 bucks a month one lite the hole 1/2 in front and the neighbors light up most of the back
rherrell
Member
I'd recommend a metal halide lamp. That's what's used in most store parking lots. I used to do lighting service work and have worked on literally thousands of them.
The most common is 400 watts but that might be too much for a back yard. Try a 250w or 150w, that might be just about right.
You'll need to buy the fixture also. They have reflectors in them to magnify the light and a transformer to run the lamp. Go to a big box store and look in the outdoor lighting section, you should be able to find "wall mount" and "pole mount" fixtures, pick which ever one works best for your application.
As far as height goes the wall mounts are usually about 8' and the pole mounts are 12' to 20', approx..
The most common is 400 watts but that might be too much for a back yard. Try a 250w or 150w, that might be just about right.
You'll need to buy the fixture also. They have reflectors in them to magnify the light and a transformer to run the lamp. Go to a big box store and look in the outdoor lighting section, you should be able to find "wall mount" and "pole mount" fixtures, pick which ever one works best for your application.
As far as height goes the wall mounts are usually about 8' and the pole mounts are 12' to 20', approx..
navycop
Member
Thanks. That's about what I was looking for. I don't kow if I can go much higher.