Table light height
- Thread starter joewag2
- Start date
I'm not a table mechanic, but in my experience, it will really come down to type, size, wattage (to a degree) and shape of bulb in the shade. Task lighting vs accent, spot lights vs flood. Though there is importance to illuminating correct color, obviously the major objective is to eliminate shadow... shadow not only cast by the balls, but by the rails. The best way to do this is to build or buy a lamp system employing parabolic reflective grids like those sold by Diamond Billiards. But distance from the surface remains vital for the shadow-free goal. There's nothing more annoying to an avid pool player than trying to find the edge of a ball hidden in the dark.
I hope this is of some help! http://www.pooltablelights.com/pool-table-lights/heightofpoollightsarticle.cfm
Those suggestions say to put the bottom of the light at the height of the bridge of your nose. ARE YOU 5 FT 2 OR 7 FT 9 ?????? Stupid ans,,,,,
Put the bottom of the light 42 inches off the table.
Kim
Last edited:
That is a stupid answer .... wish I would have read it before I hurriedly posted.
This one says 40": http://www.ehow.com/how_4612564_install-pool-table-light.html
This one says 30": http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Pool-Table-Lights-and-Lighting-Design.14987.html
This one says from 31" to 36": http://ideas.reliableremodeler.com/Article.aspx?Title=How-to-Light-a-Pool-Table&AC=22&ID=1900
This one says "Measure roughly about 40 inches" but later says "However, most pool table light owners install the table approximately 30-32 inches from the table to the light. It is very important to test and experiment with the lighting.": http://pooltablelightfixtures.net/how-to-install-pool-table-lights/
Joe Nichols says in this video that "According to the WPA it's not supposed to be lower then 40" from the table".: http://www.ehow.com/video_4983223_set-up-pool-table-light.html
There's more; but, I'd need more beer to continue on
.
Mount the light at whatever height spreads the light to the entire playing surface. If you have kids, or you hit your head on it, then raise is a little more. 
Seriously though, there are many different style lights, and there might be different ideal heights for each on. Your goal is to light up the whole table. If the light doesn't spread all the way to the rails, you're too low.
Seriously though, there are many different style lights, and there might be different ideal heights for each on. Your goal is to light up the whole table. If the light doesn't spread all the way to the rails, you're too low.