DIY Pool Table Light

Sensation

Sensation

right there
Silver Member
I want to build a pool table light based on the "perimeter" model that Predator made famous - with their "Arena" light.

I am considering using 6 times 4' shop LED of 24W, 5000k and 2200 lumens. For a whopping total of 13 200 lumens.

(I think I saw somewhere on the website of the Perimeter (not Predator) light that it has an output of 17 000 lumens.)

There is also the option to use tubes of 40W, 5000+ lumens each. That would bring the project to a grand total of 30 000 lumens. But I'm scared it would simply be too much.

Does anybody here have any advice concerning total lumens I should look for?

Is CRI that important? 90+ is a necessity?

Should I aim to have the tubes just inside the rails? Or on top?

If you have done it, please show pictures! (It can be in private if you're shy)

Any advice is welcome!
 
I found 2×60W fluorescent lights
a) reasonable,
b) a little bright
on an 8 foot table with no other room lights lit.
 
I have a homemade LED light consisting of 3 2'x2' led sq panels into a frame about 2'x6 1/2'. Works fantastic on my Diamond 8' table and would assume would work on a 9' also. Perimeters are nice, and fairly easy and inexpensive to make. One of our leagues, just switched from the old style 3 lights over the table some perimeter lighting. They are a lot nicer than before, but I can't say it is better than my light with it's 3 2x2 panels and my light is brighter also. Also, I'm not sure how I feel about that rectangle glow on the balls, but some say they like it to help with aiming.
I think if you search, some have posted some inexpensive perimeter light components for sale on here.
table a.jpg
 
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I’ve made the switch from incandescent & florescent lights in a lot of my work spaces, home is different, but it’s been my experience that 5k can be a bit harsh. However, I’m not a youngster and with both eyes having ’new’ lenses I may not be the best judge of that.
 
Sensation said:
I want to build a pool table light based on the "perimeter" model that Predator made famous - with their "Arena" light.

I am considering using 6 times 4' shop LED of 24W, 5000k and 2200 lumens. For a whopping total of 13 200 lumens.

(I think I saw somewhere on the website of the Perimeter (not Predator) light that it has an output of 17 000 lumens.)

There is also the option to use tubes of 40W, 5000+ lumens each. That would bring the project to a grand total of 30 000 lumens. But I'm scared it would simply be too much.

Does anybody here have any advice concerning total lumens I should look for?

Is CRI that important? 90+ is a necessity?

Should I aim to have the tubes just inside the rails? Or on top?

If you have done it, please show pictures! (It can be in private if you're shy)

Any advice is welcome!
Click to expand...
What is your total budget? Are you handy? This is probably most important to the discussion, there are quite a few options.
 
I bought a littman but looking at the construction it would be easy to diy. The diffuser grid really helps minimize glare and bleed to the rest of the room. 5k flat panels on top of diffuser with a box around it should be pretty simple to get going.


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Gents, I already have a pretty nice light that I'm willing to sell (400-500$ CAD) to finance that new one. I made a box around 2 x flat LED panels 2' x 4'.

"Problem" is that I want to eliminate that hot spot in the center. So there is no way I am not building a perimeter style light.
 
boogieman said:
What is your total budget? Are you handy? This is probably most important to the discussion, there are quite a few options.
Click to expand...
I'm learning fast! So I'd say yes. And my dad will be there to help if I can't make it on my own.
 
Sensation said:
I'm learning fast! So I'd say yes. And my dad will be there to help if I can't make it on my own.
Click to expand...
perimeterbilliardlights.com

Professional LED Pool Table Light | Perimeter Billiard Lights

Elevate Your Billiard Room with the Best-in-Class Professional & Modern Perimeter LED Pool Table Light. Tournament-Grade Illumination, Minimized Ball Shadow, and Even Brightness Distribution. Upgrade Your Game Today!
perimeterbilliardlights.com perimeterbilliardlights.com

Dimmable for $550 Us, unless you're really wanting to DIY this is an option. They come with really good mounting hardware also.

I have that style and it works well.

One of my buddies simply put led shop lights over his table in a perimeter pattern, one on each end, two on each side and it looks and works pretty well. You can often find them on sale in big box stores.

I have no knowledge of this light but you also have this for $170.
 
This subject has me wondering: Can you have too much light? Everyone assumes, it seems, that ‘brighter’ is automatically ‘better’. Historically, the standardized lighting setup over 9 & 10’ tables wasn’t necessarily limited by available/contemporary technology. Every new sports record set with updated/modern equipment should likely have an asterisk (?).
I once played pool in a bowling alley with no individual table lighting, but very high ceiling, super bright, industrial type ‘convention center’ illumination. I didn’t like it.
 
I know that I'd like to have 1000 lux and above everywhere on the table. I'm scared 30 000 lumens would be too much..?
 
boogieman said:
perimeterbilliardlights.com

Professional LED Pool Table Light | Perimeter Billiard Lights

Elevate Your Billiard Room with the Best-in-Class Professional & Modern Perimeter LED Pool Table Light. Tournament-Grade Illumination, Minimized Ball Shadow, and Even Brightness Distribution. Upgrade Your Game Today!
perimeterbilliardlights.com perimeterbilliardlights.com

Dimmable for $550 Us, unless you're really wanting to DIY this is an option. They come with really good mounting hardware also.

I have that style and it works well.

One of my buddies simply put led shop lights over his table in a perimeter pattern, one on each end, two on each side and it looks and works pretty well. You can often find them on sale in big box stores.

I have no knowledge of this light but you also have this for $170.
Click to expand...
Thats a great deal for $170
 
DeeDeeCues said:
Make sure you buy dimmable, temperature adjustable led lights and overshoot the brightness. Then you have the option to dim light and change the light temperature.
Click to expand...
Every light thread should have this post. With the components so inexpensive and easy to obtain, there is no reason not to get adjustable color range and brightness. Match the correct fixtures with the correct dimmer switch and it’s all good.
 
You can get the LED strips themselves on ebay even cheaper than the tube lights, you'll just have to supply a 120v ac to 12v dc converter (Ebay also).

I bought one of the perimeter lights even though I am a DIYer. There wouldn't have been much savings when I priced mine out. The aluminum channel black anodized on the outside is tough to DIY, and not really available otherwise. You could use other materials though.

As far as placement, you want the LEDs as far from the diffuser as possible for the most even lighting and no hot spots. As for the bare minimum, you just have to test with the diffusion material you're going to use.
 
I think the perimeter lights are fundamentally flawed, after playing under dozens of them. A regular led panel(s) is better imo, and significantly cheaper.

Anyway to your question, get lights that are dimmable this way you can tune it if too bright.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I think the perimeter lights are fundamentally flawed, after playing under dozens of them. A regular led panel(s) is better imo, and significantly cheaper.

Anyway to your question, get lights that are dimmable this way you can tune it if too bright.
Click to expand...
My actual setup is 2 LED panels 2' x 4'. The 4000k option was recommended to me at the time, I regret not going for 5000k.

It's pretty nice, but there is a definite hot spot in the center and the corners are less bright for sure. When filming, it's not the best.

The perimeter / Pred Arena design makes the lighting more even. What I don't like, though, is how it illuminates the room completely. I plan on doing my box with thin plywood and let the outside panel drop down, so the light stays on the table.
 
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