Pool Table Lighting

jay helfert said:
If you're on a budget, get the double eight foot (or four 4') fluorescents from HD. If you can find the skinny tubes, they last forever and put out a "cleaner" light. I used them in my last pool room for four years, and never changed one!

Make sure to get the HD fixture with the curved cover (shade) over it. This helps angle the light downward. Some people even use duct tape (or ?) around the edges to get more shading on the fixture.

If you are not on a budget the Diamond light is the triple nuts. But it will set you back around $500.

I've done it both ways, and they both serve the purpose. The HD set-up will definitely light up your table. I'd hang it 36-42 inches above the playing surface. Some people even put theirs as low as 30-32 inches. That's okay if you aren't too tall. Otherwise you'll bang your head on it when you lean over the table. :)
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Those skinny bulbs are the T5 bulbs.

You probably won't find them in HD or LOWES...You will find them in Saltwater Fish Stores and online SW suppliers.

I did not realize how yellow the normal T8 bulbs put out until I saw what the (skinny) T5 puts out...Spot on Jay.... much "cleaner" light.

The kelvin rating on the T5s used for fish tanks are in the 10,000 range...(compared to the 2500k for the normally found T8)

The T5 bulb will actually fade...or yellow...a bit color wise within the first 6 months to a year... but they will burn seemingly forever and still be way better color wise than a normal T8

The Saltwater Fish Tank keepers will usually change out the bulb after a year...(even though it has not burned out...just faded)..You could probably pick up some bulbs from a local "reefer" (as they are called) for super cheap...

(The only catch is your light fixture will need the correct ballast and pin receptors)...

The reflector tips is another great way to reduce the light "bleed"

NOTE: You may also be able to find T8s that put out a 6500k or 10,000k color...but I doubt you will find them in HD.

LED is that absolute nuts...(if you can afford the cost)
 
Led

New LED's.

TC Global 918-230-1177 Tom Carmichael

Lakewalker said:
I'm finishing my basement right now and I'm trying to determine which lights to go with.

I was thinking about getting a Pool Table light but the cost and size are putting me off.

Some people I talked to have suggested pot lights.

Is this a good alternative for lighting the playing surface? How many would be needed?

Thanks for your time...
Click to expand...
 
BRKNRUN said:
Those skinny bulbs are the T5 bulbs.

You probably won't find them in HD or LOWES...You will find them in Saltwater Fish Stores and online SW suppliers.

I did not realize how yellow the normal T8 bulbs put out until I saw what the (skinny) T5 puts out...Spot on Jay.... much "cleaner" light.

The kelvin rating on the T5s used for fish tanks are in the 10,000 range...(compared to the 2500k for the normally found T8)

The T5 bulb will actually fade...or yellow...a bit color wise within the first 6 months to a year... but they will burn seemingly forever and still be way better color wise than a normal T8

The Saltwater Fish Tank keepers will usually change out the bulb after a year...(even though it has not burned out...just faded)..You could probably pick up some bulbs from a local "reefer" (as they are called) for super cheap...

(The only catch is your light fixture will need the correct ballast and pin receptors)...

The reflector tips is another great way to reduce the light "bleed"

NOTE: You may also be able to find T8s that put out a 6500k or 10,000k color...but I doubt you will find them in HD.

LED is that absolute nuts...(if you can afford the cost)
Click to expand...

My T-8's are 2850k, they seem to do pretty good. I have them in my Brunswick GC4 light ( 8, 4 footers) Is it better to go to a higher kelvin rating? When I bought the t-8's to replace th t-12's I had no idea about which kelvin to go with. Is it the higher the better, or can it be too much?I am outside a lot, and I don't need to tan while I'm playing, but I gotta have plenty of light. I have it right at 40" over the table.
 
9 on the snap said:
My T-8's are 2850k, they seem to do pretty good. I have them in my Brunswick GC4 light ( 8, 4 footers) Is it better to go to a higher kelvin rating? When I bought the t-8's to replace th t-12's I had no idea about which kelvin to go with. Is it the higher the better, or can it be too much?I am outside a lot, and I don't need to tan while I'm playing, but I gotta have plenty of light. I have it right at 40" over the table.
Click to expand...


I currently just use 1 4 by 4 fixture with T8s and it does do the job...

You may not notice the difference until you see it...(I did not)

The lower kelvin rating 2500K has a more yellow look to it...as the kelvin rating gets to about 6500K it becomes a much more white or daylight color.

Salt Water "reefers" that keep corals that require sun light simulation use 10,000k T5 lighting...

The only reason I know this now is becuase I put a salt water tank in my living room with corals......and to grow the corals you need the higher end lighting......(some even use MH lighting but there is much more added heat with MH bulbs)

The other group that will know about this is your indoor plant growers.... :)

next time your in Home Depot you can see what I mean by buying the spiral lights that replace the incadesent lights in a normal lamp or ceiling fan... By one in the "green" package that puts out 2500k and buy one that is in the "blue" package that puts out 6500K......you will see a VERY noticable difference in the color and "crispness" of the light.....(The kelvin rating is listed in very small print on the back of the package...There is also a RED package (daylight) that has a 3500K...The "blue" is the best)

I think 10,000k on a pool table would be overkill....things may start growing out of you cloth.... but 6500k would be a big improvement over the 2500k range T8 bulbs...in my opinion...

When I get around to changing the bulbs in my current set up I will probably look for T8 bulbs that will fit (since the T5 skinny bulbs take a different pin recepticle)

It appears as if they are available...Here is a link to an example of a 6500K T8 bulb..You will have to check that you have to inquire if your current ballast will drive the lights...(I doubt it will be a problem but I would check to make sure)

http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=699&rn=3462&action=show_detail
 
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The recommended height

for lights is 78" (6 and 1/2 feet) above the floor to the bottom of the light. Since a table is usually 30-32" tall to the bed of the table, you do the math. And I never have to worry about bumping my head, and sometimes wish my opponent would ...:rolleyes:
 
In the Same Boat

I have been finishing my basement over the past two months, and am almost complete. From decisions on flooring, bar layout, wood types, custom pool cue case, and overall finishes....the most difficult has been lighting over the table.

I have been all over the map from the Diamond to using Tiffany Pendant type fixtures equally spaced over the table. If you are interested in that type light, I found that www.kichler.com has a nice selection of the Tiffany Type lighting. Some of the fixtures are single bulb 150W or double 100W types.

Prior to finishing the basement, my table simply had 3 round pendant lights that had 150W bulbs in it. It was comfortable, however, I know the lighting could have been better. Predominantly because the fixtures were frosted glass and I the light out the top was bright and bothersome.

Of course, I have yet to make my decision and the pool table is being re-assembled next Monday! I am not sure what I am more excited about...the Cue Case my friend is constructing or the table going back up.

I just hope 700W of speaker around the table will be enough!
 
BRKNRUN said:
Those skinny bulbs are the T5 bulbs.

You probably won't find them in HD or LOWES...You will find them in Saltwater Fish Stores and online SW suppliers.

I did not realize how yellow the normal T8 bulbs put out until I saw what the (skinny) T5 puts out...Spot on Jay.... much "cleaner" light.

The kelvin rating on the T5s used for fish tanks are in the 10,000 range...(compared to the 2500k for the normally found T8)

The T5 bulb will actually fade...or yellow...a bit color wise within the first 6 months to a year... but they will burn seemingly forever and still be way better color wise than a normal T8

The Saltwater Fish Tank keepers will usually change out the bulb after a year...(even though it has not burned out...just faded)..You could probably pick up some bulbs from a local "reefer" (as they are called) for super cheap...

(The only catch is your light fixture will need the correct ballast and pin receptors)...

The reflector tips is another great way to reduce the light "bleed"

NOTE: You may also be able to find T8s that put out a 6500k or 10,000k color...but I doubt you will find them in HD.

LED is that absolute nuts...(if you can afford the cost)
Click to expand...

I'm not as dumb as I look! :)

I'm using the Diamond light with four standard 8' tubes. More than enough light! It's set 44" above the table. When you have that much light, the height can vary a foot or so and still be fine. With low lighting, I might want to be about 36" above the playing surface. Even less (down to 30") is possible with a narrow fixture.
 
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ceebee said:
here is our new Pool Table light, for a 9 footer. It is $650. The lights are LED, they last about 80,000 hours, they are cool to the touch & they use about 1/10th of the electricity.

The trim can be made to match your table or surroundings. The trim can be stained or painted.

NOTE: the owner of the Pool Room mounted these lights too high. They still look & work great.
Click to expand...

Great looking light, but it looks a little high above the table. That's like five feet (60") above the table! I'd want it down closer a foot or so.
 
Hey there JH, you are correcto-mundo, the lights are great, but you know how Pool Rooms go. What ever they want, is what they get. Being too high costs some shed light light on the table.

The new LED lights are great, they work great & they look good.
 
My avatar shows the florescent light my brother-in-law gave me. The ceiling tile framing happened to cross in the right spots over the table so I could easily loop the chains over and mount it. I run the wire over the ceiling to an outlet in the bathroom. I can't remember the last time I drank Michelob, but the light is great! :)

I read somewhere that 30 inches over the table is ideal.
 
I guess Pot lights aren't used much.

With the comments here and a nicely answered PM from Mr Jay Helfert, I've decided to order the Diamond tournament light.

Thanks for the informative posts, it was very helpful.
 
When you say "pot lights", are you referring to can or recessed lighting? I was planning on using about 6 of them to cover the whole table, but avoid throwing light onto my projector screen.
 
mantis99 said:
When you say "pot lights", are you referring to can or recessed lighting? I was planning on using about 6 of them to cover the whole table, but avoid throwing light onto my projector screen.
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The recessed pot lighting...I just haven't found to many people that have gone this way and I figured the table will be there till I die so I might as well go all out and get the full atmosphere.
 
I also occassionally will play ping pong with a conversion top. A pool table light would make that almost impossible.
 
mantis99 said:
I also occassionally will play ping pong with a conversion top. A pool table light would make that almost impossible.
Click to expand...


Orrrr you can get a Wii and play Ping Pong virtually on your projector screen and get a regular pool table light?! :D
 
The Master Electrician Says..........

I installed the new design Diamond light over Hunter Lombardo's 9' Diamond tournament pro table and it utilizes an 8 foot tandem flourescent fixture with
(4) 4 foot T-8 lamps and it works great. We had an issue with shadows in the corner pockets with the fixture mounted at 36" above the playing surface so we contacted Diamond and they recommended mounting it at 48" above the playing surface and it worked. Perfect distribution of lumens over the entire playing surface. Hunter was totally thrilled with it. T-5 lamps and fixtures (high output) flourescents should not be used over a pool table. They are meant to be used in facilities such as Target and Wal-Mart. They are called (High Bay) fixtures for a reason. You need a ceiling height of at least 16 feet to get the benefit of these extremely expensive fixtures and they put out more lumens with four 4 foot lamps than a 400 watt metal halide high bay fixture. You would need to play with your shades on for sure.:cool:
 
I built this light for $200. Took 1 day and 1 sheet of plywood. It has 8 4' lights. Works great.

P3120121.jpg
 
Darth said:
I installed the new design Diamond light over Hunter Lombardo's 9' Diamond tournament pro table and it utilizes an 8 foot tandem flourescent fixture with
(4) 4 foot T-8 lamps and it works great. We had an issue with shadows in the corner pockets with the fixture mounted at 36" above the playing surface so we contacted Diamond and they recommended mounting it at 48" above the playing surface and it worked. Perfect distribution of lumens over the entire playing surface. Hunter was totally thrilled with it. T-5 lamps and fixtures (high output) flourescents should not be used over a pool table. They are meant to be used in facilities such as Target and Wal-Mart. They are called (High Bay) fixtures for a reason. You need a ceiling height of at least 16 feet to get the benefit of these extremely expensive fixtures and they put out more lumens with four 4 foot lamps than a 400 watt metal halide high bay fixture. You would need to play with your shades on for sure.:cool:
Click to expand...



I agree on the higher cost of a T5 fixture...A T5 (HO) or (VHO) would probably be overkill...especially in the 10,000k range.

But arn't there T5 (NO) bulbs also...

I am curious of your thoughts on a T8 bulb with a higher kelvin (5500 to 6500k range) instead of the normally found 2500k...seems like the light color is much cleaner and would benefit the playing surface....might even make the colors of the balls pop better...(although they may appear slightly different in color as well)

NOTE: I have a vaulted cieling and am only using a 4x4 fixture and it barely lights the whole table....It may very well benefit me to go to raise the light higher.
 
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