Re: Undercabinet Kitchen Lighting?

On Jun 29, 12:41 pm, "TKM" <non...@xxxxxx> wrote:
"Edward" <Edward.Nuxt...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:1183119567.399332.98060@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx





On Jun 29, 3:07 am, Thomas Paterson <t_p_pater...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Jun 28, 10:59 pm, Edward <Edward.Nuxt...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Basically I want to replace the 1970's stone age fluorescent lights
with something that is... well, at least 20 years younger than me.
I'm replacing these bulbs constantly, and they take forver to turn on.
Not only that, but the kitchen was redone with granite and I want the
place to look more modern with regards to lighting. So I was thinking
of getting some strips to run alog the underside of the cabinets,
pretty much where they are now, but maybe adding more to fill in the
gaps.
In the desk pic attached I want a few stripe from the left side of the
desk, to the tan brick wall.

I bought two 18 inch "Portfolio" brand from Home depot and they're not
bright enough for the desk, and they won't be bright enough for the
rest of the kitchen either.
So here I am asking if anyone has some suggestions. I want them to be
hardwired - none of these battery powered LED toys.
I'm in the US - just FYI I'm in 120/60Hz land.

http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00724largenk9.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00725largefw3.jpg

Edward,

Great question, and thanks for the thorough information - it's great
to have information like power levels being provided.

I think you've gotten a couple of issues. The fluorescents in the
photos look like they are long past their effective life, but it may
just be the lamps, not the whole unit. When were they last relamped?
If simple relamping would solve your problem, great.

I'd suggest that if you need to replace the full fixtures, you should
consider T5s. You sound like you'd like a higher light level than
average, so you might do well to use high output T5s. Try either
Birchwood Lighting (www.birchwoodlighting.com) or Alkco.

American Lighting also do some LED options. www.americanlighting.com.

There are a plethora of options from other brands exist, so you may
need to do broader research.

Thomas.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

We replace the lamps constantly. As you can see above the desk
somebody mismatched the colors.
That person will remain nameless since he paid for my college.
I also replaced the ballast several times over the years (Silver
cylinder) and nothign improves. They flicker, don't light up and are
generally a pain in the ass. I have the same problems with the
overhead fluorescent lighting but that is for another thread. I have
a week off from work so I figure I'll get this done and proceed from
there.

T5's... that's an electronic ballast right? Old electric/magnetic
ballasts flicker at 120Hz, correct? What will the T5 flicker at?

Also... I have friends coming over from Europe next month, so I want
the kitchen to look damn good. I was over there a few years ago and
their kitchens looked modern. I come home to flickering buzzing 32
year old crap.

So here I am. I'm willing to spend $$$$ for the Mercedes Benz of
lights. Or at the very least Lincoln. I'm guessing none of this
stuff is made in the US? I buy American whenever possible. BUT I
need to have currentl levels of light - so I think that elminates LED
as an option.

Some of the new LED under-cabinet units do a respectable job; but for plenty
of light, I second Thomas's suggestion to use T5 or T8 fluorescent
equipment. Alkco makes excellent products and you can use their
commercial-qualty units if you want the top line.

Terry McGowan- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Gotcha. Does Home Depot sell them? That covers the desk light, but
then the under cabined lights for the rest of the kitchen, I think
I'll go with halogen puck lights.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Undercabinet Kitchen Lighting?
    ... In the desk pic attached I want a few stripe from the left side of the ... Birchwood Lighting or Alkco. ... They flicker, ... their kitchens looked modern. ...
    (sci.engr.lighting)
  • Re: Undercabinet Kitchen Lighting?
    ... In the desk pic attached I want a few stripe from the left side of the ... Birchwood Lighting or Alkco. ... They flicker, ... their kitchens looked modern. ...
    (sci.engr.lighting)
  • Re: Undercabinet Kitchen Lighting?
    ... In the desk pic attached I want a few stripe from the left side of the ... Birchwood Lighting or Alkco. ... They flicker, ... their kitchens looked modern. ...
    (sci.engr.lighting)
  • Re: Undercabinet Kitchen Lighting?
    ... desk, ... They flicker, ... their kitchens looked modern. ... under-cabinet units are typically electrical distributor items. ...
    (sci.engr.lighting)
  • Re: Undercabinet Kitchen Lighting?
    ... I installed undercabinet lights (T2 in Birchwood fixtures) 2 years ago. ... Birchwood Lighting or Alkco. ... They flicker, ... their kitchens looked modern. ...
    (sci.engr.lighting)