LED strip lights for unconditioned warehouse

Status
Not open for further replies.
brantmacga

brantmacga

Señor Member
Location
Georgia
Occupation
Former Child
I'm having a hell of a time trying to find a fixture that is suitable for this;


The building is insulated steel that is used as a produce cooler, but is also unconditioned at times. The temperatures at the roof can easily go over 100 degrees.

The current fixtures are F96T12HO; the owner is looking for something with less maintenance; preferably none. They are surface-mounted on the steel beam at 17' aff. Also, I need to match or exceed the output of the HO fluorescent fixtures; along with ambient temperature and ceiling spacing issues, this has been a problem.

Almost every LED option i've looked at requires it to be suspended around 24" to keep the ambient temp rating. I found one at lithonia that didn't require this on the spec sheet, but after speaking with a lithonia rep, I learned that the 24" suspension would be required.


This isn't an option because of forklift traffic in a narrow aisle; it must be a surface mounted strip style fixture. I'm currently waiting on a quote for Cooper HBLED fixtures, which they have told me will work in this application, but wanted to check with you guys for any additional ideas.
 
brantmacga said:
I'm having a hell of a time trying to find a fixture that is suitable for this;


The building is insulated steel that is used as a produce cooler, but is also unconditioned at times. The temperatures at the roof can easily go over 100 degrees.

The current fixtures are F96T12HO; the owner is looking for something with less maintenance; preferably none. They are surface-mounted on the steel beam at 17' aff. Also, I need to match or exceed the output of the HO fluorescent fixtures; along with ambient temperature and ceiling spacing issues, this has been a problem.

Almost every LED option i've looked at requires it to be suspended around 24" to keep the ambient temp rating. I found one at lithonia that didn't require this on the spec sheet, but after speaking with a lithonia rep, I learned that the 24" suspension would be required.


This isn't an option because of forklift traffic in a narrow aisle; it must be a surface mounted strip style fixture. I'm currently waiting on a quote for Cooper HBLED fixtures, which they have told me will work in this application, but wanted to check with you guys for any additional ideas.
Click to expand...

T5 Ho's will do great and should last as long as the T12's
 
I agree with LEO on the T5HO. They do produce a bit of heat though so it might be smart to use a motion sensor so they are not on all the time. To get good life out of the lamps you will need to use programmed start ballasts as opposed to instant start with a motion sensor. Also, pay attention to the reflector on the fixture since you are working with narrow aisles.
 
I am assuming and aisle with shelving on each side. I don't see how a forklift would be bothered by a fixture suspended to 14 to 15' below the ceiling. Will the fork lift be lifting something up that high? How much of the time is the space not conditioned? Short durations? Heat will affect the life of the LED's. How much depends on how long the LED's are exposed to the high temps. You can get long life fluorescents that have a listed life of 60000 hours. Just need to get the right lamp-ballast combination and pay more. How cold does it get in the cooler? Cold temperature has and adverse affect on fluorescent lamps.
 
I designed the lighting for a narrow aisle warehouse some yeare ago. Used narrow aisle fixtures. The client loved them and the lamps last a long time.

T5HO with the right lamp and programed start ballast is the best way to go. Get the high ambient ballast or one that's rated for the actual temperature at the ceiling. LED's aren't "there" yet. Fluorescents give the spread light you need for narrow aisles.

Depending on the traffic, motion detectors can be a viable option.

You could also look into step ballasts - two light levels.

RC
 
No shelving; it's crates of produce stacked to the ceiling. Also, they do not want T5; owner already has some and does not like it.

The space is unconditioned more so than not. When cool, it will only go down to 50 degrees.

Also, the lights are not on continuously. Only when the crates are being loaded and unloaded. Otherwise, lights are off and doors are locked.
 
Can you remotely install the drivers? This should alleviate any heat issues. Just make sure when you do install them elsewhere, you make sure they have enough space to keep cool.
 
paul said:
Can you remotely install the drivers? This should alleviate any heat issues. Just make sure when you do install them elsewhere, you make sure they have enough space to keep cool.
Click to expand...

The LED's themselves are affected by the heat so remote drivers only protect the drivers.
 
brantmacga said:
No shelving; it's crates of produce stacked to the ceiling. Also, they do not want T5; owner already has some and does not like it.

The space is unconditioned more so than not. When cool, it will only go down to 50 degrees.

Also, the lights are not on continuously. Only when the crates are being loaded and unloaded. Otherwise, lights are off and doors are locked.
Click to expand...

If owner doesn't like T5 and heat is an issue with LED's then you are somewhat stuck with T8. T12 is going to disappear sooner or later and you don't want to deal with it at all. Less maintenance - heat is going to be a problem for maintenance of about anything you put there, but some choices may be less maintenance then others. Occupancy sensors may increase lamp life, but do add one more item to have to maintain as well, they will go bad at times.
 
You need to have a sit down with the owner regarding T5's. Who know's what his issues are but T5's are my favorate lamp - high efficiency, long life, and high output.

RC
 
Induction lighting may be a solution at least from an ambient temperature standpoint. You would have to determine if it fits your application.
 
LEDs also decay chemically from off-gassing from fixture materials, paint, etc in storage. It can reach 140-150F near the roof, so the heating from the fixture use is on top of this.

If you need full output for hours on the end, you'll probably need an internally fan cooled unit. The fan circulates the air within the enclosed fixture to encourage spreading heat to the enclosure and structural material.

Some fixtures are thermostatically dimming. It will operate at full output until the internal temperature gets to a set limit and the driver starts dimming LEDs that limits from going past this temperature to avoid self destruction. If it's hitting the limiter too often, the delivered lumens will fade off after about 10 minutes of use depending on how much off-time is given and how hot it is around the fixtures.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top