To start, the first thing to consider is the beam pattern of the light. UFO lights are round so they naturally have a round beam pattern. While linear are rectangle with a rectangle-like beam pattern. Depending on your application, this may not matter. For places such as livestock buildings, warehouses, and cold storage sheds, the UFO beam pattern will be fine as completely even lighting isn't that important. However, in places like farm shops, repair shops, or retail spaces, much more even lighting is desired. The picture below shows the difference in the beam pattern between the UFO and linear. Both examples have a single light in a small room.
Click here for an explanation of understanding layout numbers.
Please note this is for a work area, not just general storage.
Are you "in the dark" about how many lights you need in your building? What type of lights you need? How should you position them? Well, let's "shed some light" on that situation.
To start, there is no single light setup for every situation. You may see other companies online or on social media giving one size fits all suggestions. (hyperlite, adiding, green light depot, and so on.) I am many times amazed at how inaccurate many are. Most of their customers are going from a lightless building or poorly lit building to brand new lights. So, they will naturally be impressed. But in general, that fades after time moves on and they see other buildings or move objects in. I have seen many at 50% of what they should be. This isn't a dig on the companies, most are China-based companies with US stock and a couple of US representatives to take phone calls. The vast majority of them have never used their products in real-world situations. Only what theoretically works. That's where we differ. We have extensive real-world experience with how light works in different situations. And we adjust computer models to reflect that. But enough of that, let's get to the numbers,
Ceiling height is the first factor. Taller ceilings need more light to get the light to the ground. Just like a flashlight gets dimmer the further you get away from it. Lumens per square foot (also known as footcandles) is the standard measurement. Another term is Lux which is equal to 10 lumens per square foot. Here are some suggested light levels for different heights:
Click here to see how different ceiling heights change workplane lumen levels.
Once you have determined the light level, the next question is "how many lights do I need?" Well, that depends. Do you have an open empty room? Will there be multiple medium to large-size objects in your space? First off, we will do a little math to figure out the total lumens needed in the building. A starting point is square foot of the space times the light level that fits your ceiling height listed above. So, let's say you have a 60'x80' building 18' tall. We will choose 105 lumens per square foot. 60 x 80 = 4800. 4800 x 105 = 504,000. That is the total amount of lumens you need in your space.
Now that we know we need 504,000 lumens, we can buy lights, right? Well, not really. You need the right amount of them and what style. Picture this, you have one 500,000 lumen light in your building or 50 10,000 lumen lights. Which option will provide better light? Obviously the second option. Now, this is an extreme example, but it still applies to all buildings. Taller ceilings can use brighter lights with wider spacing and shorter ceilings need dimmer lights with closer spacing. BUT, there's a catch. Taller ceilings in spaces that will have large objects in them need closer light spacing. Such as a farm shop with a combine inside or a manufacturing facility with large machines. If too few lights are installed, large objects can block a larger percentage of the total light resulting in shadowing.
Click here to see how large objects impact light distribution.
Now, to make the final decision. First off, you can email us at "howmuchlight@gmail.com" with your building size/use and we can provide a recommendation. If you don't want to do that, here is a guideline. In general, we do not recommend circular or "UFO" lights below 15 feet. The main reason is they don't give enough light spread. You can just increase the number of them if you want that type, but there are better options. The second reason is a circular light gives off a circular light beam. We are assuming your building is rectangular rather than round so a rectangular light is a better option. Once you get above 15 feet, the light has more opportunity to spread and reflect so the light shape isn't AS important. However, also consider headroom. The circular high bays hang from a hook and will take up almost a foot of clearance in general. The linear high bays can be direct surface mounted and will only take up 2-3 inches of space. Here is a guide to light type and wattage selection:
So, let's consider the 60x80x18 building we talked about above. We need a total of 504,000 lumens with lights under 25,000 lumens. We could use 21 of the 160w linear high bay lights spaced evenly in the building with the outside rows being half the distance from the sidewall as the remaining row spacing. We can increase or decrease by a couple of lights to make our rows even. If you want the building brighter, use this same layout but go to brighter fixtures.
Now, you might be saying "it sounds like you are trying to get me to buy more lights so I spend more." Well, we are in business to make money but that isn't the case. If you use the information above on total lumens using less fixtures with more lumens vs more fixtures with less lumens, you will generally find less than a 5% difference in the project cost. In fact, some cases end up being cheaper using more fixtures with a lower output. Here is a general spacing guide for different heights. A general rule of thumb is 1 foot of spacing for every foot of ceiling height. And half that distance from the walls.
As always, feel free to call or email us with any and all questions.
]]>At the moment, all Light Emitting Diodes are produced overseas, which sets us up for delays across almost all of our products.
What we’ve been seeing is: product being put on hold at the port, product will ship out but sit at a different port for an unforeseen amount of time, or our manufacturer has been given a cap on the volume of shipments they can send out. There is a big delay in international shipments that we have no control over which is also increasing shipping prices. This Because of this, the following products may be backordered for unknown amounts of time (once our stock is gone we don’t have timeframes given to us that we can trust).
-T8 Integrated LED lights
-Double Row Integrated LED lights
-Triproof LED lights
-Any cords/connectors for the above mentioned lights
We are a supplier for multiple companies (Tiger lights and LED One for example) and these product orders are fulfilled out of their warehouses. Some of them may be short/half-staffed and also experience supply shortages unannounced. We are doing our best to follow your fulfillment to the best of our knowledge/ability.
Despite the mentioned issues, we greatly value your business. We always strive to get your order to you as soon as we can and it can be frustrating to be hitting so many unforeseen roadblocks during this process. Rest assured, we are still working our hardest to get your orders to you in a timely manner and keep our product and shipping prices the same. We ask that if you see delays that you don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we haven’t provided you with an adequate update.
Thank you all for your patience and business, we greatly appreciate you!
]]>Trouble light
Purchase a 2' Integrated light and one of our 110 plugin cords and you've got an instant light that's perfect for working under vehicles or on equipment.
Under Cabinet Lighting
We've had a couple of people use these lights as under cabinet lighting. Whether it be kitchen cabinets, Hutches, Curio Cabinets, it doesn't quite matter. The application is a good idea for a quick way to add extra lighting.
In a Closet
When we built our house, we had planned to use our lights as much as possible in our home. While we used the 4' lights in areas like our laundry room, basement, and utility room, the 2' lights worked really well inside of closets! You can add them to the ceiling or the sidewalls, or even integrate within your closet system! Their size provides many opportunities, especially if you're working with a small closet.
Outdoor Deck Lighting
Let me start out by stating that our T8 Integrated Lights ARE NOT waterproof rated, and this idea is probably one of the more unconventional applications we saw! We had a customer mount the hardware so the lights sat horizontally along the deck rail. They had outdoor outlets, so anytime they were outside at night they would carry their lights (with 110 plugin cords attached), snap them in their mounting hardware, and plug them in. Granted, not everyone wants to carry a light out with them and snap it in place when they go outside, but we got a kick out of the idea and it provided great lighting!
Entryway Lighting
Last but not least, a good application for these are inside entryways. They tuck nicely inside doorways in garages, back rooms, and mudrooms. Due to their easy install and small size, they are the perfect solution for additional lighting.
Do you have a unique application for any of our lighting? Let us know! Otherwise, we hope these offered some ideas on how to add new lighting to your home/office/shop.
]]>First things first- we've added a Petersen to our business! Carter was born early September of this year and has kept mom and dad busy.
Here he is helping mom ship orders!
We are currently in the process of restocking all of our products, so please bear with us as we wait for things to filter in. We plan to have an end of the year sale on our Petersen LEDs once we are stocked up.
Part of mine and Jeff's plan since we've started Petersen Parts was to carry Agricultural parts on our site. Jeff tends to fix a lot of equipment when he's not busy farming or selling lights (or being a dad), and it's important to him to make parts available that aren't going to cost an arm and a leg. We now are offering aftermarket parts and partnering with a few other businesses to offer more aftermarket equipment LEDs on our website. We still plan to keep our own LED lights, there may just be a transition as we get a feel for what products we want to keep/add/subtract. We also will be changing/updating the website so look for changes with that as well.
Aside from this, fall is quickly approaching. Here in the midwest, we've already seen temperatures in the low 50's and high 40's, which reminds us winter is slowly approaching! Stay tuned for upcoming sales as winter is the perfect time to add or redo your indoor lighting!
Thank you for being Petersen Parts customers, we appreciate each and every one of you.
]]>Here are 5 ways YOU can integrate LEDs onto your home or farmplace.
1) Tractors and Combines
Did you know that the leading cause of farming accidents is transportation related? Adding LEDs to your tractor or combine can drastically improve your line of sight when working after the sun goes down. In fact, Jeff was out in the field and I was able to tell he was out there (because of the lights) from 4 miles away- FOUR MILES! Bad lighting can also have an effect on your eye health, so help your peepers out and upgrade your lighting.
2) Farm Shops and Cold Storage
This is the biggest reason people come to us looking for lights- relighting your shop or cold storage areas. While the cost can add up quickly, we offer bulk discounts on orders over 20 and 100 lights. A lot of customers will do their shops in sections over time to cut down on the cost, and a lot of our customers also receive rebates from their local power company to help with that cost as well.
3) Safety/Security Lighting
One of the best things we ever did was install our IP65 Solar LED light outside of our shop door. It stays dimly lit all night until it detects motion, where it then lights up to 100% power. It not only serves as a security light but adds a little bit of yard light so we can safely get to the entryway. We have a wide array of floodlights and wall packs that serve just this purpose as well. If you're looking for something small go with our Mini LED Wall Pack (don't be fooled by the name, these suckers are bright. For reference, we have 2 of these spaced out on the front of our house and usually only need 1 on). If you're looking for something to light up the whole yard go with one of our Flood Lights, or the Dusk to Dawn LED.
4) Sprayers
Ok, I know most people don't spray in the fall, but a select few do. Our Blue Sprayer Light gets mounted on the boom so you're able to see your spray pattern when spraying at night!
5) Above Work Stations
As with planting, Harvest time can mean working on repairs to equipment. If you end up doing any lathe/millwork or end up standing over a workbench putzing around with something, this can lead to a lot of strain on your eyes. We highly recommend putting our Double Row Integrated LED lights above workstations. We actually have a lot of women that buy these for above their sewing machines as they need that extra light to see what they're doing. This light has two rows of LEDs that are angled towards each other to offer a clean light span for whatever you're working on.
]]>While you're at it, check out the video of Onelonleyfarmer's unboxing and installation process!
]]>My first answer to this is going to be what any small business owner is going to say "You see those shoes on my child's feet? You helped pay for them". Supporting small businesses is so much more personable and hits more to home because you are directly helping to support that family's livelihood. This is the reason we try to treat our customers with the best service possible. Not to mention if you have an issue with your products or shipping or anything with your order, we are going to be the ones that deal with you directly to fix it. We care about your purchase and to us you are not just another number in the checkout line.
The more technical reason behind why you should buy our products over others is that we personally designed the products to work best based on what we didn't like from products within large companies. We have gone through all the different distributors and factories we could have our lights manufactured through with a fine-tooth comb, and only offer you the best (this includes being made with Cree or Philips drivers, aluminum housings, and polycarbonate interchangeable lenses).
You see, when we first started this business we went through a learning phase. We learned that Big Box Stores often take pallets of LEDs that were left at the port in foreign countries because they get a good price on them. We also learned that the materials in the lights from those stores are not sustainable and will actually give the light a shorter life-span. There are a lot of little factors that give you a good, quality light- and we have combed through them to deliver the best products for you.
The last (but not least) point I want to reiterate is the customer service. Do you want to drive to the store, wait in line, only to be told this item doesn't have a warranty and you are just stuck with it? Or would you rather call us up, speak with Jeff or I directly where we'll tell you we'll ship you a warranty light (within 5 years of purchase) for free?
As a disclosure I have nothing against Big-Box stores, I shop there a lot in fact for certain items I need regularly, but if you're investing your hard-earned money into a transaction such as this, don't you want to know you're getting the best?
]]>
So what is color temperature?
Color Temperature (in lamens terms) basically breaks down to how harsh the light is going to be to the human eye. There are different looks to color temperature (quite obviously), and it is measured in Kelvin; If someone says their light is 3,000k it is 3,000 Kelvin.
When looking to purchase a light you want to look at 3 main aspects: Lumens (the actual amount of light that's given off) Wattage (the amount of draw it takes to power the light) and Color Temperature (how the light will fit into your given space and appear to the human eye).
Here's where it can get tricky. Just say you have a 1500 lumen 6,000k light and a 3,000k light. One of those is going to appear brighter, even though the lumens are the same. Why? The 6,000k light is going to appear more harshly to the human eye, and give the illusion that it is brighter. This is why a 6,000k light would be recommended for high ceilings, where you are not staring directly at the light.
For applications such as home, a restaurant, movie theater, etc. you're going to want to use more of a 3,000k color temperature- remember, regardless of the lumens, this color is going to appear more gentle to the eye and create a homey, more ambient atmosphere.
For us personally, we deal with a lot of customers that are using lighting in shops, office buildings, schools, etc. We go with a 5,000k color temperature as this is as close to daylight as possible. This way it's clean enough to work under without giving you a headache or making you feel as though you're at a restaurant (a happy medium).
Here's a good visual diagram of the Kelvin scale:
Even though the lumens are the same in the above picture, do you see how each color temperature alters the appearance of the light? It can be quite drastic.
Now, although we use 5,000k color temperature on all of our lights, this doesn't mean this is the "correct" color you should be using- as mentioned above it is a happy medium that fits the criteria for the majority of our customers. We are always able to special-order custom color temperatures for your specific need. Below I have posted some common uses for each color temperature, to use as a reference.
2200-3200K: Restaurants, Movie theaters, Some areas in homes, Accent lighting
4000-5500K: Shops, Offices, Schools, Home/Basements, Garages, Cold Storage
6000-6500K: Gymnasiums, Warehouses
Next time you need to update or add lighting to an area ask yourself:
-What kind of atmosphere am I looking to achieve? (ambient, clean, or harsh)
-What is the actual light output you're looking to achieve? (depending on how much light you want, which particular light is going to achieve this most cost-effectively?)
-Which light is going to overall save you the most money? (in terms of wattages in regards to your lighting bill and rebate savings).
Hopefully, this post will help break down the specifics a bit further when looking at the big picture for your next lighting project.
]]>
-We are updating our website. We are most excited about this change as there will be a calculator where you can input your building or area size and we will recommend a type of light and a number of lights based on what type of building it is. This is still being built and is expected early 2018.
-We will have new product pictures and the new website will include pictures sent to us from customers (and our own buildings) to give you a better idea of what they look like installed.
-Later in 2018, we will start producing videos of each major-selling product. In these videos, we will do an unboxing, give an overview of the product, and a glimpse into the installation process.
-We are updating some of our prices. Petersen Parts strives to keep prices reasonable for consumers, yet with constantly rising shipping prices we knew it would be inevitable to increase some of the pricing. This new pricing effect will take place early 2018.
For the T8 Integrated LED light, the price will change from $30.00 to $30.99 for a sale under 20 pieces. For over 20 pieces the price will be $29.99, and any order over 100 pieces of this product, the price will be $28.99
For the Double Row Integrated LED, the price will change from $40.00 to $40.99 for a sale under 20 pieces. For over 20 pieces the price will be 39.99 and over 100 pieces of this product, the price will be $38.99.
For the T8-T12 Fluorescent Replacement/Retrofit, we are finally able to drastically decrease the cost and offer this light to you at a decreased price. We are not changing the product in any way, shape, or form. The current price on these is $24.00 and will be changing to $12.99 for an order under 20 pieces, and $11.99 for orders above 20 pieces.
-We are going to offer real-time shipping prices. These will offer prices directly from the shipping companies, which will get you the best shipping price available. This is anticipated to unveil around the time the new website is unveiled.
We are so thankful for all those that supported us in 2017. We've got a great group of customers and appreciate each and every one of you!
]]>Farmers can be difficult to shop for (since half of my family are farmers, I can completely relate). Usually, if there's something they would like they buy it right when they need it. Regardless, here are a few items we recommend that they can benefit from:
-The T8 Integrated LED or the Double Row Integrated LED
If they have a shop or a workspace, these are great. It really only takes a few of these installed for them to realize switching their shop to these will change their life. The smooth and even light make it great for working on equipment any time of the day. Plus, these operate great in cold weather.
-The John Deere 6,7,8xxx Series Replacement
Perfect for switching out lights on John Deere 8X00 and 8X10 tractors. For John Deere 6000, 6010, 7000, and 7010 models it fits the rear, beltline and stubble lights. They will never be left in the dark again.
-The John Deere 2x5 Replacement
This light works well with John Deere 55 and 60 series hoods, and 6000-8010 roof lights. Because it's 50% brighter than the factory light, it makes a great addition to any tractor!
For all those that have milk cows, cattle, hogs, you name it- this light can stand up to all of the elements (cold, water, debris, etc). On top of this, these lights will also lower their power cost.
For The Mechanic
We offer a number of products that are beneficial to a mechanic. Here are a few that we recommend:
This is excellent for garages and shops as it cuts back on lighting costs, offers a smooth, clean "daylight" look, and makes it much easier to see what you're working on.
-The LED Linear High Bay
This light is the perfect solution for machine shops and large garages. Easily replace your fluorescent fixtures and give yourself the ability to see what you're doing in a bright white setting.
-The T8 Integrated LED Light- 2'
We have actually had many mechanics get this light in a 2' length and use it as a trouble light. Purchase an 8' 110 plugin for power connection and you're set!
For The Outdoorsman
We offer a range of lights that fit off-road and outdoor vehicles. Below are just a few we offer.
-LED Light Bars
For The Homeowner
While our lights may seem geared towards farmers, our lights are extremely useful in homes. Here are a few lights and suggested uses:
This light has been a great hit in basements and garages. My parents actually switched out the lights in their laundry room, and every time I go home I'm amazed at how clean and well-lit the lighting looks.
This is a perfect light for your standard garage; it offers a little more durability than the T8 Integrated, yet offers the same clean, bright look.
This light is excellent for outdoor lighting, and because it's solar-powered the installation doesn't get any easier. Stick it above a garage, an entryway, or any area you need that extra bit of light. The solar panel is not attached to the light on this product which means your installation location is not limited.
For The Women In Your Life
There are many lights you can gift to the women in your life. The most common light sold to women is the T8 Integrated LED light and the Double Row Integrated Light. Here are some common places I appreciate these lights:
Another light that has personally been utilized by myself is the T8 Integrated LED-Motion Sensing Light. Here are the places we've put this:
For The Person That's Difficult To Buy For
When all else fails, give them the gift of a Petersen Parts Gift Card and let them choose their own gift!
Good Luck with your purchases this year and have a Happy Holiday Season!
]]>No toxic chemicals
LEDs, as most know, don't contain any harmful chemicals such as mercury or gases. This in itself makes them not only less dangerous if one breaks, but also very easy to recycle.
Longer light life
LEDs last much longer than traditional lights (fluorescents, metal halides, etc). Because they have a long life it's going to incur less waste in the long run, and a lot of the LED lights can be repaired to an extent (either replacing the driver or the LED strip), depending on what style of LED light you have.
Energy efficient
LEDs draw much less power than traditional lighting, which is why we get that lower electric bill whenever they're used. This, in turn, eliminates greenhouse gases given off by the power plant, and your electric company may actually give you a rebate whenever you initially purchase an LED light- this can help to alleviate any startup costs.
Fewer lights needed
Most LEDs don't have0-degree beam pattern like most fluorescents, they usually have about a 180-degree beam angle, which gets more of your light shining downward. You actually need fewer lights to get a lumen equivalency to that of fluorescents, which in turn equals less waste in the long run.
Next time you think about converting to LEDs, realize that it will not only give you a much cleaner, uniform light, it will also help reduce your carbon footprint.
]]>Aside from us being an LED company, LEDs in the home comes down to one thing: lighting costs. We look forward to fully converting yet another one of our buildings on our farm to LEDs to help lower that monthly electric bill.
In the kitchen we are installing can lights. This is a great place to integrate LEDs, but the color temperature is what's going to be key here. If you go with a higher color temperature, it's going to give a more "sterile" feel. We are looking for a more "warm" feel, so we are going with 3500-4000k. We are also installing under and over-cabinet LED light strips; this is an easy addition that can add not only extra light but an extra ambiance within the kitchen. It will give us multiple options for light sources depending on what activity is taking place.
Since our kitchen and living room is one large room, we decided to carry the can lights throughout the entire area. One of the exciting things about this is that all of them will be dimmable, so while we will most likely go with that warmer color temperature, we can lower the light to break up the areas.
We are utilizing our T8 Integrated LED lights in our laundry room and our basement. Personally, in the laundry room, I don't care about ambiance, I want to be able to see. We are going with our stock color of 5000k, which is a natural daylight color.
In the extra bedrooms, we are having the fan as our primary light source, which will be screw-in LED bulbs. In the master bedroom, we are using multiple different LED fixtures with a lower light temperature, and the bathrooms will feature screw-in bulbs around the 5000k temperature.
One of the more exciting areas is outside. We are going to be using both our Solar LED lights and our Mini Wallpacks. These are both very easy to install, and very versatile as to where we can place them for maximum security lighting.
In the garage, we will be using our Cutoff Wallpacks for our exterior security lighting and will be using our Double Row Integrated LED for the main light source within our garage. Another light we had added in our old garage that we will be using in the new one is our T8 Integrated LED motion-sensing light. We put this right on the ceiling above our vehicles and whenever the garage door opens the light automatically turns on, eliminating the need to turn on all the lights when quickly entering or exiting our cars.
Next time you have a bulb go out or if you decide to renovate, think of ways you can utilize LEDs into your home to help cut back your home lighting costs; the life of LEDs is also much longer than typical lighting found within homes today, which will prolong the need to change that light for years to come.
]]>
False. LEDs typically have a 50,000-hour life expectancy (with some variables thrown in there such as the type of LED, the anticipated use, etc) whereas a typical fluorescent light lasts 7,000-15,000 hours. You also have the added expense of changing ballasts in there as well when you are dealing with fluorescent lighting.
False. Actually, most of the LEDs these days require you to bypass the ballast if you’re working with fluorescent fixtures. Each LED light will have a driver that essentially takes the place of a ballast. While they do make ballast-compatible LEDs, you are essentially retrofitting the LED to fit into an “older” generation of lighting and save costs.
This one is actually somewhat true. It cannot be stressed enough that when you make the decision to purchase LEDs, especially if you decide to outfit a large area, it needs to be looked at as an investment. A good comparison is solar panels- they are very spendy to purchase initially, yet they are going to pay for themselves over time. Now if it’s a new construction your startup cost may be almost similar regardless of if you go with LEDs or fluorescents, yet you still have the fact that you will have to replace faulty ballasts over time which can be expensive and cumbersome.
Here at Petersen Parts, we try to make this initial start-up cost a little less painful. The first option is to subscribe to our newsletter; we offer monthly promotions and savings that can put some of those dollars back in your pocket. In addition, always check with your power company or coop prior to making the leap- this way you will know what rebates they offer and can calculate the return on investment before anything is purchased.
False. There have been some articles floating around that state LEDs contain hazardous materials. LEDs don’t contain mercury or any toxic chemicals. Some do emit RF wavelengths, but this is completely dependent on the company and manufacturer.
False. This is something that doesn’t get talked about often, as LEDs are a fairly new technology and they just simply last so long. Because there are no toxic chemicals, if you simply wanted to throw them in the trash you safely could. We highly recommend you take apart the LEDs and recycle the various components of the light, but you will not be disposing of toxic waste if it does end up in the trash.
This is also false. Typical fluorescent lights take a while to warm up, while LEDs are instant-on with full power as there’s no gas inside of them. Most of our lights have been rated for temperatures as cold as -30°.
]]>Side note: we are in the process of overhauling our website, and our new website will feature a calculator that will figure this out for you! We are pretty excited about this feature and hope it will help current and future customers in determining their lighting needs.
Example: I have 1500 square feet and want to go with 75 lumens per square foot. I choose the T8 Integrated LED, which I can see from the item description has 2750 lumens. 1500x75=112,500. 112,500/2750= 40.90. This would mean I would need 40 or 41 lights to properly light this area.
Side note: Keep in mind that you can’t have more than 200 watts of power coming off the first light in the row. Example: The T8 Integrated cannot have more than 9 lights linked together. If you need more than 9 lights for your row, most people will put a junction box in the center, and power the lights either way from that junction box.
At Petersen Parts, we’re here to help. We stand by our products as they’re made to our specifications and undergo rigorous quality control testing. We will always try our lights on our location prior to offering them to the public to ensure a safe and effective lighting solution.
Be on the lookout for the unveiling of our new website! Like mentioned above, it will offer a calculator to help determine how many of which light to go with, and offer suggestions within the calculator of which light may be best suited for your needs. The new website will also offer updated photos and specifications, as well as a better flow and ease of use for the best experience possible. It will also feature customer photos to help give an idea of what the lights look like in use and how you may apply them to your buildings/homes/garages. If you prefer not to use the website, we are always a call away to help with whatever you may need.
Hopefully, this article has offered some guidance on how to properly choose a light and how many lights for your project. Have any questions? Send us an email through our “contact us” page and we’d be happy to help.
]]>LEDs have greatly benefited society in both safety and security practices for sure. Better street lighting and greater outdoor visibility around buildings and areas where vigilance is a must. Stop-lights, emergency vehicles, high towers, bridges, the list just goes on and on. Not much more can be said...or can it?
LEDs also have a role to play in marketing and advertising as well. Here are two quick examples – a standard one and a revolutionary one. The plain one is the photo for the blog post, where the candy is being displayed with LED lighting for greater visibility. You don’t have to worry about the candy melting with properly designated LED lighting to show it off. The other not-so-plain example is the link given below that shows an advertisement in WIRED magazine that utilizes LED lights to show the various colors the product comes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BiKxyTcOsU
Just another example how this revolutionary style and function of lighting is taking things to a whole different level. I'm sure it's safe to say the possibilities are endless in how you can integrate LEDs into the present and into the future.
]]>In a recent cost analysis based on a price survey by the Consumer Federation of America, it was determined that the typical American family uses at least 20 indoor light bulbs throughout their home. Now let’s do a comparison of just one 60-watt incandescent, halogen, and LED’s use in a household for 10 years.
|
Incandescent |
Halogen |
LED |
Cost of: |
Bulb / Electricity |
Bulb / Electricity |
Bulb / Electricity |
Year 1 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
$5.25 / $1.20 |
Year 2 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 3 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 4 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 5 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 6 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 7 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 8 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 9 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
Year 10 |
$2.70 / $5.18 |
$2.50 / $5.18 |
--- / $1.20 |
|
$27.00 / $51.80 |
$25.00 / $51.80 |
$5.25 / $12.00 |
|
|
||
Total = |
$78.80 |
$76.80 |
$17.25 |
Now multiply these findings by 20 and see why LED lights used in everyday normal settings can provide great savings, or return your investment over a ten year period. It’s a no-brainer.
The prices of the bulbs are based on GE bulbs at major retailers. The life expectancy of incandescent and halogen bulbs is 1 year, and the life expectancy of a high-efficiency LED bulb is 10 years.
Sources:
https://energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting]]>You can always contact your local recycling company and ask how they deal with LED lights if any of these ways don't work for you.
]]>A few years ago, a company was asked to upgrade the lighting at the University of Phoenix Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team play. The existing 780 MH lighting fixtures at the stadium were replaced with 312 LED light fixtures. When all was said and done, the change in lighting had made the stadium brighter. Afterwards, the company that had installed the LED lighting sent a Fox broadcasting crew in to certify their companies work. The Fox broadcasters described it as “the best lit stadium they’ve ever seen”.
If you happen to go to a sporting event that still uses MH lighting or even High-Pressure Sodium lighting, maybe they should consider the three main reasons as to why those stadiums who have already switched to LED lighting did so in the first place:
I think it’s safe to say LEDs provide a well-lit environment for all in attendance!
http://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog/upgrade-your-stadium-lighting-system/
]]>So far, data from a LED light unit placed on the space station shows that LED’s provide the same indirect daylight and overhead fluorescent light illumination when needed for visual activities and observing color differences. NASA has also determined that LED lighting has provided them with an energy efficient light system that has a longer life span and doesn’t contain any potentially toxic mercury vapor.
Also, since research has shown that certain blue LED lights can suppress melatonin, NASA believes this could aid in providing better sleep on the ISS by better managing the circadian rhythms of those on board.
Whatever NASA determines in their final report, know that the results will be used in the design of lighting systems in the next generation of crew exploration vehicles.
Sources: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/651.html
]]>Interestingly enough, while Europe has higher electricity rates than does China or the United States, their utility suppliers lack large-scale subsidies to defray the high LED lighting start-up cost. China’s lighting cost, on the other hand, is lower than in other parts of the world due mainly to them having the largest manufacturing base of LED lighting producers in the world. In the United States where lighting costs are becoming lower, the LED industry continues striving in obtaining certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star and the DesignLights Consortium. Firms that receive these certifications will then be eligible for subsidies from local utility providers.
Here is how the rest of the world stacks up in the LED market:
Asia Pacific – 13%; Japan – 9%; Latin America – 8%; the Middle East & Africa – 7%
Since electrical rates were mentioned above, it may be interesting to note that the cost (in US dollars) of electricity in Europe ranges from 19 to 41 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour). In China, the cost of electricity is 8 cents per kWh, and in the United States, the cost is 12 cents per kWh.
Sources:
http://www.ledinside.com/intelligence/2014/11/global_led_lighting_market_to_reach_us_25_7_billion_in_2015
https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/average-electricity-prices-kwh.html
]]>The words you see above come from a man who has revolutionized the way we literally see things today. His parents were uneducated immigrant people, yet they emphasized to him that school was important. His father, who was a coal miner, gave him a pocket knife at around the age of five or six and told him “if you want something, make it yourself”, which is what he did. That person is Nick Holonyak, Jr., the creator of the first visible LED.
In 1962 while working at General Electric, Mr. Holonyak invented a light-emitting diode (LED) that emitted visible red light instead of infrared light. Coincidentally, this is the same General Electric that was co-founded by Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb. Soon after this discovery, LED lights began being used in all kinds of apparatuses where small indicator lights were needed. Nick’s invention paved the way for more advances in the field of LED’s, which would eventually evolve into the technology we have today. Today, LED’s are being used in all aspects of lighting that were once only limited to certain types of traditional lighting.
There is a short 8-minute video on YouTube presented by General Electric that features Nick talking about his discoveries that you may find quite interesting. To see it, just go to the link below.
]]>
LIGHTING IN THE U.S. BASED ON TYPE AND APPLICATION IN 2014 |
|||||||||||||
Lighting Applications |
Types of Lighting |
||||||||||||
CFL |
INC |
HAL |
LED |
T5 |
58 |
T12 |
MH |
HPS |
LFL |
MV |
OTHERS |
||
Building Exterior |
|
24% |
11% |
2% |
11% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
30% |
8% |
13% |
1% |
0% |
Area / Roadway |
|
0% |
0% |
0% |
13% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
10% |
75% |
0% |
0% |
2% |
Directional |
|
27% |
54% |
13% |
6% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Small Directional |
|
0% |
0% |
78% |
22% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
A-Type |
|
46% |
26% |
26% |
2% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Low/High Bay |
|
0% |
0% |
0% |
2% |
51% |
25% |
2% |
19% |
1% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Decorative |
|
4% |
93% |
1% |
2% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Parking Lot |
|
0% |
0% |
0% |
10% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
79% |
11% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Linear Fixture |
|
0% |
0% |
0% |
2% |
10% |
72% |
16% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Parking Garage |
|
0% |
0% |
0% |
5% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
27% |
8% |
56% |
0% |
4% |
CFL: Compact Fluorescent Light |
INC: Incadenscent |
HAL: Halogen |
LED: Light-emitting diode |
||||||||||
T5: Fluorescent |
T8: Fluorescent |
T12: Fluorescent |
MH: Metal halide |
||||||||||
HPS:High pressure sodium |
LFL: Linear fluorescent light |
MV: Mercury vapor |
|||||||||||
Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/245993/us-lamp-inventory-by-technology |
Did you know: By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 TWh (compared to no LED use) of electricity: This is the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1000 megawatts each), and a total savings of more than $30 billion at today's electricity prices. (Source: www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting)
]]>Downlights
These are lights placed or designed so as to throw illumination downward. This includes recessed ceiling lights inside homes and buildings, and outside under overhangs that provide security lighting for entryways or exits.
Outdoor Lighting Areas
This includes fixtures that provide lighting for streets and parking lot areas. These two types are well- suited for LED technology primarily because LED directionality can be used to provide light only where it is needed, almost completely diminishing the use and waste of unwanted light. Let's not forget residential backyards and driveways as well.
Ceiling Troffers
These are rectangular fixtures that fit into modular dropped ceiling grid (usually 2’ x 2', or 2' x 4'). They are usually recessed sitting above the ceiling grid, but can also include surface mount boxes as well. Many commercial buildings such as schools, offices, hospitals, etc. depend on these for adequate lighting.
So, the next time you enter a building, especially during the evening, try to take notice as to where and what type of lighting is being used to illuminate the path to your destination. There is a good chance that most of these applications could benefit from LED lighting- or quite possibly they already do!
Napa (Glen’s Auto Parts): Springfield, Minnesota
Phone: 507-723-4257 (Glen, Dave, or Kurt)
Napa carries the majority of our tractor lights and is willing to special order if needed. We are very fortunate to have our local parts store collaborate with us, as we frequent their store often!
Nathan and Lisa Halverson: Mabel, Minnesota
Hello! We are Nate and Lisa Halverson. We live outside of Mabel, MN with our three beautiful children Ella, Nolan, and Gavin. Nate works in the fire sprinkler industry, as well as a small crop farmer. Lisa works at the Mabel-Canton School as a Preschool Paraprofessional. We were introduced to Petersen Parts while in search for new tractors lights. After installing these LED tractor lights, we were interested in hearing more about their products. We ended up installing LED lighting in our shop and garage. We were very satisfied with their products, and inquired about being a dealer. We feel very comfortable introducing what they have to offer in our area. These LED lights make an energy-efficient, cost-effective upgrade! Please feel free to contact us if you're interested in seeing what these lights can do for you!
Call/text Nate at (507) 259-3801 or visit our Facebook page "Halverson LED's".
Greg McFarland: Lakefield, MN
Hi, my name is Greg McFarland (my better half is my wife, Arlis). I like to think I’m retired, but after working since I was 9 years old (starting with my uncle's blacksmith shop- to being a CEO of an electric cooperative, and a lot of jobs in between), I’m finding it really hard to just quit. We built a house when I thought I was going to retire, (our 35th move) and put LED lights in this new house. The Petersen lights I installed in my garage caught my eye. With the ease of installation and the performance of these lights, it made me want to do some research and look a little deeper into Petersen lights and possibly consider selling these lights once I completed my housing projects.
Throughout my adult life, I have had many job opportunities; it was always the people that made it the most interesting and exciting. I miss the interaction with the public and getting out there face-to- face and solving people’s problems or answering their questions.
My goal/mission, The Lite Zone’s mission, is to brighten up your world with the most energy efficient products available. If you need your lighting problems solved, give me a call at 507-841-3889, and we can talk. You can also go to our website, www.thelitezone.com, and I will respond to your questions. Thank you for your business.
Marcus Brock: Woolstock, Iowa
Contact info: (email) mlsbrock@live.com
Our main solution to this is telling our customers to contact their local power company or Co-op and ask about what energy-savings rebates are available to you before you decide to make a purchase. Due to the fact that LEDs use less power and last longer than traditional lighting, most of them are eligible for a one-time rebate (if they are properly certified). Depending on where you are located, you could see almost a 50% return on your purchase price- how’s that for a startup cost?!
The links below are just a few examples of some of the rebate programs some of our customers have used. Contact your power company to see what rebates they offer before you decide to make your purchase.
Redwood Electric Coop (Redwood County, MN)
http://redwoodelectric.com/content/forms-and-applications
Brown County REA, MN
http://www.browncountyrea.coop/content/rebates
MidAmerican Energy, Iowa
https://www.midamericanenergy.com/content/pdf/ee/ia_bus_lighting_app.pdf
Hopefully this article helped shed some light on your situation!
]]>4' lights
We offer 4 different styles of 4' lights: The fluorescent replacement, The T8 Integrated LED light, The Double Row Integrated LED, and the Triproof LED light.
Fluorescent Replacement LED light
The fluorescent replacement is just that- a LED light that will replace a fluorescent T8 or T5 light. We recommend these for customers that already have fluorescent fixtures in their space. This is our cheapest 4' light and can be an easy and quick swap. To use your existing fixture, you will need to bypass the ballast- which we give you instructions to do. This is also offered in an 8' light with many different pin styles to help meet your needs.
The T8 Integrated LED light
This light is essentially its own fixture- there is no fixture required, and there are two stainless steel clips that you screw to your ceiling, beams, etc., and the light clips right in. You supply power to the first light and connect lights thereafter with connector cords which are supplied. This light has a 180° beam angle and helps to spread light out, eliminating shadows. We recommend this for new constructions, where there's a clean slate to start with. A lot of people have, however, eliminated their fluorescent fixtures and started over with this lighting option.
The Double Row Integrated LED light
The Double Row is essentially the same concept of the T8 Integrated light, however, there are two rows of LEDs. It isn't twice as bright as the T8 integrated light; it actually has a narrower beam angle of 130° so it makes for a great concentrated light over a workbench, machinery, etc.
The Triproof Integrated LED
The Triproof is our waterproof option. It is IP66 rated, which means it has been tested and rated to be dust-proof and waterproof. It is designed the same way the integrated lights are where they are the fixture, and two clips hold them to the ceiling. The few main implementations we have had people use these in are hog barns, car washes, and machinery/mechanic shops.
Hopefully, this helped you get a grasp on the different lights we offer! Keep checking our website as we will soon have the Double Row Integrated LEDs available in 40 watts with a180° beam angle, and the Triproof Integrated LED in a non-waterproof option for a lower price.
Hopefully this article helped shed some light on your situation!
Comment below or contact us- we're always here to help!
]]>Issues with fluorescent bulbs in cold temperatures
If you live in a cold area and have fluorescent bulbs in an unheated shop, garage, etc., I'm sure you already know that they definitely do not work to their greatest potential. Fluorescent lights start with more difficulty at lower temperatures because the mercury vapor pressure is lower, thus there is less mercury available to start the light. The light output is lower because the mercury is not emitting the optimum amount of ultraviolet energy for the phosphor to convert to visible light. There are some cold-weather options for fluorescent lighting- special ballasts, bulbs, etc.- but these can be spendy, and depending on use may need to be replaced more often than your regular fluorescent bulbs.
LEDs and Cold
Thus far, LEDs have been a pretty good answered prayer for all those cold-weather garage dwellers. Due to the fact that they don't have the mercury to deal with, just about every quality LED light is instant-on in cold temperatures. It does not affect their life expectancy, and the output is the same as if it were a balmy 80°. If you plan to purchase any type of LED, it's best to check with the manufacturer on how low of a temperature the light is rated for just to be safe. At Petersen Parts, our bulbs are rated for -30°.
Hopefully this article helped shed some light on your situation!
Credit: Sylvania (2000). Cold Temperature Operation of Fluorescent Systems. Retrieved September 1, 2016, from http://assets.sylvania.com/assets/documents/faq0008-1296.d9bed7c5-de6a-40a6-81bd-d610e4c14f25.pdf
]]>These are both very good and very common questions!
Lumen translation from fluorescent to LED
When we talk to our customers about switching from their current fluorescent or halogen fixtures, they first need to ask themselves if their goal is to maintain the same amount of light. LEDs aren't around just to make everything brighter, they are essentially a new form of lighting technology that will outlast and outperform most older lighting setups. It can be difficult to compare apples to apples when talking lumens from LED lights and other lights because so many of the lumens from traditional fluorescent and halogen lights are lost in the upward diffusion of the light. The image below displays the light projection between a fluorescent bulb and a LED bulb.
Fluorescent bulb lumens are divided between 360 degrees of light output. Because of the 360-degree output of a fluorescent bulb, a reflector is required to get light to the ground. Up to 35% of the light output is wasted through upward diffusion. Therefore, a 2800 lumen fluorescent bulb will only project about 1875 useable lumens to the work area.
Our LED lights project 100% of their lumens downward in a 170-degree beam. The 2750 lumen bulb projects 2750 lumens to the work area. This means it takes 35% less lumens for LED over fluorescents to create the same amount of light (by output rating).
Using color temperatures to your advantage
Most people don't take into account how big of an impact the temperature of their lighting can make. Lighting color temperatures are measured in Kelvin on a scale as low as 1700K to around 27,000K. Here's a breakdown of what the different temperatures closely represent, and different applications they can be good for.
The image above shows the temperatures from "warm" on the the left, all the way to the "cool" temperatures on the right.
1,700K-3,000K: This would be considered a "warm" temperature. This color temperature is good for ambient lighting such as in a home or at a restaurant.
3,500K: This is considered a "neutral" temperature.
4,000-6,000K: This is often referred to as a "daylight" color. An example of a good application for this would be classrooms, conference rooms, and farm shops.
6,000K + : This is considered a "bright/cool white" and is said to have a slight blue tinge to the light. A great application for these lights would be in warehouses.
At Petersen Parts, we stock all of our lights in a 5,000K color temperature. Any color temperature can be special ordered.
If you still need some guidance in understanding how to switch to LED, please give us a call and we will gladly help find the right solution for your specific circumstance.
Hopefully this article helped shed some light on your situation!
Comment below or contact us- we're always here to help!
]]>First, we'll start with the breakdown of the physical differences between fluorescent bulbs and LED bulbs. Some of you may know this already, but it's always a good refresher to know what's in your lights!
Fluorescent Light Breakdown
Fluorescent bulbs consist of a glass tube that is filled with mercury that is ionized. This causes electrons in the gas to emit photons at UV frequencies. The UV light is converted into standard visible light using a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. Fluorescent lights also require a ballast that regulates the current to the light, and these ballasts need to be replaced every 2-5 years depending on conditions and operation.
LED Light Breakdown
LED bulbs consist of an aluminum housing with a polycarbonate lens and houses a driver, and a strip of Light Emitting Diodes (LED). The driver can be seen in the same sense as a ballast, as the driver regulates the power supply to the diodes. When a suitable voltage is applied to the leads, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons.
Pros and Cons of Fluorescents and LEDs
So let's talk about the pros and cons of each type. Fluorescents have been the primary choice of lighting for the past 30+ years, and LED lighting may be a new concept for some consumers. Some of the downfalls of fluorescent lighting are the need to replace ballasts and bulbs over the life of the fixture, poor cold temperature operation, poor light distribution, and the safety hazards of a glass bulb with harmful chemicals. This also entails the cost to recycle the bulbs properly when getting rid of them. The downfall to LED's is that the startup cost may be a little bit higher than what it would be when purchasing fluorescent bulbs.
How Petersen Parts can help save your startup cost
The biggest cost recovery is going to be with your power company. LED bulbs use less power than a fluorescent bulb, therefore power companies recognize that by giving you a rebate for purchasing a more efficient bulb. We have had some customers receive over 50% of their start-up cost back in the form of an energy rebate. Another option is to subscribe to our email list. This will give you access to our promotional discounts and sales. We also offer quantity discounts on any order over 100 pieces!
If you have any questions, comments, etc feel free to contact us- we're always here to help!
]]>