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Post by radio on May 5, 2014 19:47:18 GMT -5
I need to install some new overhead lighting for my jewelry cases and was considering LED instead of Halogen. I like the sparkle halogen creates on the jewelry and have heard that LEDs will not have the same effect. Does anyone have experience in that area? I currently have track lighting over the cases with GU10 halogen bulbs, but really need a bit stronger light and was thinking about 9 watt LED in a 3X 3 watt configuration. Also, should I opt for cool white or warm white?
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rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428
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Post by rykk on May 6, 2014 4:38:21 GMT -5
LEDs can be kinda tricky. You have to select the right color or "bin" temperature for them to make the rocks look right. Warm white would tend to give a more yellowish tinge, I think. What you really want are full spectrum "daylight" binned LEDs... if such a thing exists. I use a full spectrum daylight bulb made by Ott to light pictures of my rocks and they look great. The colors really pop. I'm not sure if LEDs are capable of broad spectrum light, though. I used to work for a company that built hardened computers and displays for the Army and have a bunch of LED strips from flat displays that I was going to try to use to light a display case but haven't gotten motivated to wire them all up, yet, or I'd be able to tell you more. C-ya, Rick
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 6:49:25 GMT -5
There are many options of full spectrum led.you may check a hydroponics dealer.i use full spectrum led's in my greenhouse for suplimental lighting in winter.they can be pricey though.
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Post by radio on May 6, 2014 7:12:10 GMT -5
Thanks Rick and Dave
If I were assembling my own I could get an optimal bin, but buying factory made I am limited. I have modded several flashlights with LEDs, but the larger lights are a problem mainly due to needing a massive heatsink
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stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
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Post by stephent on May 6, 2014 9:17:24 GMT -5
Fluorescent lamps come in 120 volt GU-10 bases too. With quite a variety of color temps from 2700 (yellow-ish) to 5000+ (blue-ish) ..so does LED lamps. Both come in full spectrum...but you won't find all that much variety at your local home center/hardware store. Go online...Amazon or Fluorescent lamps have a decent lifespan..LEDs better slightly, but not that much in real life with off-on cycling. Halogen lamps suck for life spans..cost too much to start with ..and make way too much heat for output (burn out lamp bases regularly--the 12 volt are the worst!). I never figured out why they were touted so highly. Also LEDs come in little cuttable to size strips now for mounting inside display counters or under kitchen cabinets too. The LED drivers (power supply) are pricey though. I've installed..and tore out!... hundreds if not thousands of track lights from Metal Halide, fluorescent, incandescent, halogen all the way to LED...I still prefer using fluorescent since the LEDs are still in their infancy and metal halide track lighting sucks cost/heat wise worse then halogen ever thought... for overall cost and effectiveness. But the LED technology is progressing fast.. Although I hate track lighting to start with (maintenance-costs) ..... it is a quite effective display lighting solution.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2014 14:20:00 GMT -5
I agree that you want "Daylight" temperature bulbs, and that you may find a better deal on Amazon than you would at your local lighting store or home center. Home Depot, Lowes and Costco run sales regularly, though. I would try a single bulb first. Since with LED you want to focus on lumens instead of wattage, you may find that you can get equivalent or more light with a lower wattage. Also, LED spots can have a narrow beam than your halogens, so you may want to consider the spread of the various bulbs at various distances. LEDs for the US market have dramatically improved in reliability over the last 5 years, and I'm replacing my CFL and halogens with LED as the others bite the dust. Get a major name brand (Cree, Phillips, Sylvania, etc.) with a guarantee. In addition to the efficient energy use and less heat output, other advantages of LED is that you don't pay a penalty in lifespan hours each time you switch off/on, lack of UV which helps minimize fading (except for LEDs that are made to emit UV) and extremely quick to achieve maximum brightness even in cold weather.
My oldest non-low voltage LEDs are now at around 7 years and have now outlasted 3-4 CFLs in adjacent fixtures that get the same usage. Some of the earliest LEDs had transformer and diode chips that seemed to be very sensitive to power fluctuations and would sometimes blow, but that seems to have been fixed for several years now.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,808
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Post by gemfeller on May 6, 2014 15:37:59 GMT -5
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Post by radio on May 6, 2014 16:59:33 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I have LED strips inside the showcases, so I'm good there. I need overhead lighting that is strong enough to illuminate the tops of the display counters from a height of 8 feet, so the lights would be about 5 1/2 feet directly above the display cases. When I am showing a piece to a customer, the lighting needs to be strong enough so the colors of the stone are apparent and make the silver shine
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alan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 111
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Post by alan on May 7, 2014 15:03:52 GMT -5
Stop by one of the swarovski crystal retail shops and look into their cases... I think they are using LED... Post your findings here if you are able to find out a manufacturer...
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,808
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Post by gemfeller on May 7, 2014 16:25:20 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on May 7, 2014 23:18:48 GMT -5
Look for 5000-5500 kelvin LED flood lamps, they are intended to mimic the noonday sun and will correctly display colors.
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