Topic: Foosball light

[tturgut]

Hi, what kind of bulbs would you recommend for foosball lighting? (Tornado T3000)

1) 48 inch T8 or 48 inch  T12?

2) these bulbs have different light spectrums. any preferences for foosball? (color temperature?)

thanks

[Flyin Brian]

I dont think the diameter or the color will matter very much.  I would probably stay away from WW (Warm White?) or anything under 3500K.  CW (Cool White?) or 4100K and up will probably be fairly easy on the eyes.  For what it is worth, I would recommend safety tubes/sleeves first, which might give a little advantage to the T8s if it is a cheap shop light with little clearance.

[snake eyes]

T 12 fluorescent lamps are now or will be unavailable shortly.  Personally I would go with an led fixture. My 2 cents. Snake

[papafoos]

T-8, 4100k with electronic ballast.

I like the idea of led too.  I've been switching all interior lights in my house to leds as they burn out.  My porch, garage and backyard are all led fixtures.

[tturgut]

OK, after research, this is what I did: (I hope it helps someone else also)

1) I bought this lamp:
http://www.fooslight.com/

2) According to my research, it is identical to this light fixture:
http://www.myhardwaresupply.com/store/p/28905-Performance-Plus-Shoplight.html?feed=Froogle&gclid=CPbV6t67gMQCFeFj7AodBigAoA
http://www.essentialhardware.com/american-fluorescent-pps232rc-performance-plus-shoplight-205464.html?fee=16&fep=100038&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google&gclid=CLSf64K8gMQCFVU2gQodllYAYg
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KKNEYO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1YUQ5J3D6MSR6&coliid=I32RAMJGO4XNID

3) I chose LED over FLuorescence .
a) if you know the basic electrical work and can rewire the ballast, a cheaper 48 Inch T8 LED would be fine- easy according to youtube.. (I am lacking this basic skill, so I went with a ready one that does not need wiring)

3) This is what i chose:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LET81MU/ref=asc_df_B00LET81MU3554749?smid=A2UN0Y5BLCG911&tag=nextagmp-20&linkCode=df0&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B00LET81MU&ascsubtag=-9114566547382819222#productDetails

other choices:
a) (this will definitely work) if you are happy with fluorescence bulb, this is cheap and OK:
http://www.amazon.com/F32T8-Linear-Fluorescent-32-Watt-Light/dp/B00AQ4OC0E/ref=pd_cp_hi_2 (32$ /for 10)
b) (cheaper LED, needs wiring) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IBVNDMM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1YUQ5J3D6MSR6&coliid=I2GRJCZXC2IDL&psc=1

I chose the LED: 2 of them was 60$ on ebay (with shipping), amazon is much better price (23$/ each one), you may need to wait a little longer (not in stock )
very bright, should be much better than fluorescence. (Cheaper on long run, with long hours and less cost/ with energy savings)

4) This light fixture has "premium electronic ballast" and this LED  lamp needs " instant electronic ballast". I think it will work, but I am not 100% sure yet. (I'll keep you updated when i set it up)

5)LED light source:  2700K,3500K,4000K,5000K: (this depends mostly on your taste)
http://www.seesmartled.com/pdf/kb/AN002_How%20to%20Choose%20the%20Right%20LED%20Lighting%20Product%20Color%20Temperature.pdf

I chose 3500K because I like warmer colors, but 4000K may be a more neutral choice for most people. (5000K-6000K is too much white light, and good for reading, but not my first choice).
(I think Tornado tournaments are set up with FL bulbs with 4000K-5000K) This is a little personal choice.

6) This LED lamp is also very good: (slightly less lumen, and 4000K) I considered it strongly also:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-434605-14-5-watt-InstantFit-4-Foot/dp/B00JY3QZSU/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1424897396&sr=1-1&keywords=Philips+InstantFit

best regards,

[kgstewar]

wow, great info! Thanks a lot for sharing your research, this is super helpful.

[tturgut]

update: the LED light did not work. it has to be a fluorescent light bulb with this light fixture.
(ballast was rapid start, not instant start, and it did not work)

By the way, the light set up is amazing. I am new to foosball, but it makes a huge difference.