Outdoor Flood/Area Lighting

[craigster59]

I have 2 wall mounted patio lights that are very weak as far as lighting goes. Looking for something that will illuminate the backyard for grilling and playing with the dog.

I don't want anything too bright that will light it up like a parking lot or annoy the neighbors. Backyard is approximately 80' w x 30' d. Any Pelicans have something decent that has worked for them? Don't need dusk to dawn/ photocell, wondering whether to go LED. Right now it's not bright enough to keep from stepping in dog crap.

[fintstone]

I just use standard two-bulb floodlights with 120 w equivalent LED bulbs. Two two-bulb fixtures would light a huge yard. They are directional so you can point them so as not to annoy neighbors.

[look 171]

Two things, Craig. You want enough light to have a certain ambiance and enough lighting to see what you are doing or do you just need light? In an outdoor situation (learn this from dealing w those curvy hip designers)you want light to bounce off trees and shrubs to light up areas and draw attention to them with just enough lights to fill those dark spots. Path ways should have enough light to make it inviting. A mixture of spot and flood lights will be needed.

What fixtures do you have there now? If its just a couple of exterior light bulbs, then any LED light weill do. Try to get a 2700K or no more then 3000k bulb. Any higher then that, the light will be white like an office. It look horrible. If you are to redo the lighting, this is the place I buy from.

https://www.voltlighting.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI97P0_KaU2QIVxIl-Ch3PjwRJEAAYASAAEgI_v_D_BwE

They make a professional grade light but not a professional price. Solid product unlike the plastic or pot metal Malibu lights at Home Depot

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by look 171

Two things, Craig. You want enough light to have a certain ambiance and enough lighting to see what you are doing or do you just need light? In an outdoor situation (learn this from dealing w those curvy hip designers)you want light to bounce off trees and shrubs to light up areas and draw attention to them with just enough lights to fill those dark spots. Path ways should have enough light to make it inviting. A mixture of spot and flood lights will be needed.

What fixtures do you have there now? If its just a couple of exterior light bulbs, then any LED light weill do. Try to get a 2700K or no more then 3000k bulb. Any higher then that, the light will be white like an office. It look horrible. If you are to redo the lighting, this is the place I buy from.

https://www.voltlighting.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI97P0_KaU2QIVxIl-Ch3PjwRJEAAYASAAEgI_v_D_BwE

They make a professional grade light but not a professional price. Solid product unlike the plastic or pot metal Malibu lights at Home Depot

This is the fixture that's next to the patio doors now.



Jeff, I just want something that is aim able with a wide field, but a bit more of a soft white. Also would prefer LED for energy savings. I'll check out your link. Thanks!

[craigster59]

I'm thinking these would do the trick. Would I need one or two per fixture?
https://www.voltlighting.com/line-voltage-120v-landscape-lighting-flood-light-10w-bz-knuckle/p/VFL-10NW-120V-KN-ABZ

[look 171]

From what you described, that will work, but its a 4000k light, so the light will be somewhat whiteish instead of the typical halogen with a slightly yellow tint.

[look 171]

I am not sure how much space you need to light up? Buy an exterior mounted box. They usually have two outlets for lights.

[look 171]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RGAJBE/ref=asc_df_B008RGAJBE5363027/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B008RGAJBE&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167139094796&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6274140407351217709&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013962&hvtargid=pla-306436927111

[red-beard]

I continued using the same fixtures, just replaced the bulbs with high output LEDs. It is MUCH brighter in the backyard and the energy consumption is about 1/4th. A plus, the bulbs are supposed to last longer as well.

[Ayles]

Check out RAB motion activated flood lights. You can wire them in series which you cant always do with motion lights. They are very high quality, I have had mine up for two years with no trouble after I had a couple failures of Home Depot motion lights.

[craigster59]

I think I'm going to go with one light on a canopy kit to start with from Jeff's link. I can always add a second if needed but with a 120 degree lighting angle I should be good. Thanks for all the input!

[look 171]

That will put out 5 times more light compared to your old one

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I continued using the same fixtures, just replaced the bulbs with high output LEDs. It is MUCH brighter in the backyard and the energy consumption is about 1/4th. A plus, the bulbs are supposed to last longer as well.

Yes, me too. By far the most light for the least expense...and if too bright/dim or too white/yellow...or if the bulb is broken or malfunctions... you just change the bulb.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I have 2 wall mounted patio lights that are very weak as far as lighting goes. Looking for something that will illuminate the backyard for grilling and playing with the dog.

I don't want anything too bright that will light it up like a parking lot or annoy the neighbors. Backyard is approximately 80' w x 30' d. Any Pelicans have something decent that has worked for them? Don't need dusk to dawn/ photocell, wondering whether to go LED. Right now it's not bright enough to keep from stepping in dog crap.

I use a 2 head led, 6k color temp 3500 lumens to light my pool area, the height at which the lights are mounted also makes a difference, mine are ~ 20' up, Also use the same to light the driveway front yard area.

I also use 6k spots ~15' above exterior doors, these are narrow beam 15 degree spots focused only on the entryway, I never use the garage wall lighting any more though in it's day it provided good area lighting, These are dual Na vapor lights mounted ~ 8" up

My old eyes are very partial to 5.5 to 6k color temps

[Tobra]

I use a small head light type thing so I can see stuff on the grill, keeps the back yard from looking like LAX too. You could go with less ambient light if you were to do this. Ball cap keeps the glare out of my eyes from the headlight

[rfuerst911sc]

If you have a local electric/plumbing store make sure you check them out . These are the places that normally sell to contractors/schools/colleges etc. and generally have a decent selection and pricing . I recently wanted to replace two exterior coach lights with as slim of an LED light fixture I could find . This was because we recently had two French doors installed in place of sliders . They are out swing and one door on each set hit the light fixtures because they project out so far from the siding .

I went online and found plenty to choose from but pricing was 80.00 - 150.00 or more for each fixture . I went to one of our local electric places and they had exactly what I wanted in their catalog . Yes they will have to order them but it only takes a few days . Oh the price ........... $29.90 each !

[scottmandue]

My porch light died, went to Home Depot and got a cheap LED replacement. Sucker lights up the whole yard!

And of course it is not listed at the HD website