Best bulbs for a 3 shade light

beerpressure

beerpressure

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have been tasked with improving the lighting for the lodge pool table. It's an 8' oversized with a 3 lamp hung 36" above the playing surface.

Currently it isnt bright enough to play at night with just the table light on. The bulbs they have in there now are this LED in the middle lamp: http://i.imgur.com/EfUL3bg.jpg This bulb on both outer lamps: http://i.imgur.com/eZ7v23Q.jpg i think it says 13w which is not enough im sure.

Question is what type of bulbs are optimal for this setup? http://i.imgur.com/l5bFtfi.jpg
 
13w LED is equivalent (roughly) to a 75w incandescent. Lose the outer two and replace them with the same 13w led and I'll bet you get plenty light.
 
beerpressure said:
I have been tasked with improving the lighting for the lodge pool table. It's an 8' oversized with a 3 lamp hung 36" above the playing surface.

Currently it isnt bright enough to play at night with just the table light on. The bulbs they have in there now are this LED in the middle lamp: http://i.imgur.com/EfUL3bg.jpg This bulb on both outer lamps: http://i.imgur.com/eZ7v23Q.jpg i think it says 13w which is not enough im sure.

Question is what type of bulbs are optimal for this setup? http://i.imgur.com/l5bFtfi.jpg
Click to expand...

I use the large 5" globe bulbs in mine, incandescent 60w or 100 w -they're fine. They're about $5 each at Home Depot. They diffuse soft light pretty well for pool.

I would suggest starting with 3 60's then see if they cover all the corners. I'm pretty sure that will be enough on your table.
 

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I find the Cree 100 watt equivalent LED daylight (5000k) bulbs excellent for the three shade lights.

http://creebulb.com/100-watt-replacement-daylight

They are a little expensive but should last for years. Give off a bright white/bluish light that is not hard on the eyes. Works real good with Simonis Tournament Blue. They are available at Home Depot.

I use 100's on the ends (1600 lumens) and a 75 in the middle (1100 lumens).

Best I've found after experimenting with lots of different types.


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I went with the 100w equivalent LED bulbs in 6500 deg daylight bulbs.
I do have the 4 bulb fixture, so keep that in mind.
 

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Lighting

LED with out a cover is hard lighting ........ and will produce hard shadows .

Florescent lighting produces electromagnetic polarized waves and creates polarized reflection AKA glare.
And emits a light blue color spectrum.

Tungsten lighting creates heat and can be a safety issue .
And can be hard or soft lighting .....
 
mortuarymike-nv said:
LED with out a cover is hard lighting ........ and will produce hard shadows .

Florescent lighting produces electromagnetic polarized waves and creates polarized reflection AKA glare.
And emits a light blue color spectrum.

Tungsten lighting creates heat and can be a safety issue .
And can be hard or soft lighting .....
Click to expand...
Do you mean like the green translucent shades? Yeah seems like a lot of light is escaping through the top.

I'd like to just take the lamps down and put up an 8' strip light. I feel like that would be easier and better. Am I right or wrong?
 
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LED bulbs tend to be more directional. They are fine for your needs over a pool table.

The biggest advantage is they produce very little heat.

As has been recommended by others, get a high color temperature. It will tell you on the packaging what that specification is for the bulb you are considering. 6500K is ideal, but you should be OK with anything above 5000K if that is all you can find. The fluorescent bulb you have pictured is a soft light (2700K)...not great for pool.

3 100 watt equivalent bulbs with a high color temperature will solve your issue for about $30.00 at Home Depot. Cree are a good brand that is sold at HD.

These bulbs will last for many years.
 
WGDave said:
LED bulbs tend to be more directional. They are fine for your needs over a pool table.

The biggest advantage is they produce very little heat.

As has been recommended by others, get a high color temperature. It will tell you on the packaging what that specification is for the bulb you are considering. 6500K is ideal, but you should be OK with anything above 5000K if that is all you can find. The fluorescent bulb you have pictured is a soft light (2700K)...not great for pool.

3 100 watt equivalent bulbs with a high color temperature will solve your issue for about $30.00 at Home Depot. Cree are a good brand that is sold at HD.

These bulbs will last for many years.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I am gonna go check HD tomorrow for those.
 
jad said:
I find the Cree 100 watt equivalent LED daylight (5000k) bulbs excellent for the three shade lights.

http://creebulb.com/100-watt-replacement-daylight

They are a little expensive but should last for years. Give off a bright white/bluish light that is not hard on the eyes. Works real good with Simonis Tournament Blue. They are available at Home Depot.

I use 100's on the ends (1600 lumens) and a 75 in the middle (1100 lumens).

Best I've found after experimenting with lots of different types.
Click to expand...

I agree with this, but there is no need for a dimmable bulb for over the table so no need to spend the extra $. You can also find many overseas choices of LED bulbs searching on eBay for a lot less.

And yes, daylight is way better than soft white.

Dave
 
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