Author Topic: Bench lighting recomendations  (Read 2960 times)

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Offline SuperFungusTopic starter

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Bench lighting recomendations
« on: September 29, 2024, 02:25:04 am »
I recently set up a new shelf and risers for my makeshift home bench.  I want to set up some lighting under it to illuminate the benchtop work space. 

Does the EEVblog crowd have any favorite lighting options for a bench?  Amazon has a seemingly infinite variety of available options, but many of the nicer ones seem to be battery operated which I don't prefer. Dimmable and color temperature adjust-ability would be nice.
 

Online Tony_G

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2024, 03:09:59 am »
I bought 2 of these and I'm very happy with the light.

https://www.feit.com/products/2-ft-19w-cool-white-4000k-dual-led-utility-light-73987

Here is a photo of how they look:



They're stuck under the top bench, pretty much in the middle of each side (I have a support running front to back in the middle of the top).

TonyG
« Last Edit: September 29, 2024, 03:12:19 am by Tony_G »
 

Offline pope

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2024, 07:43:29 am »
"I'm also looking for bench lighting, but I wonder how these LED options might affect measurements in terms of interference. I'm a bit hesitant to attach them right under the shelf where I keep all my TE.
 

Online tggzzz

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2024, 08:26:39 am »
General bench lighting is useful, but consider having one light on a long gooseneck.

Benefit: can move to light equipment interiors and/or avoid reflections.

There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and ADC/DAC specs.
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Offline SuperFungusTopic starter

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2024, 11:54:59 pm »
I'm still looking, but thanks for the input!
 

Offline David Hess

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2024, 11:29:26 am »
I bought a USB powered LED strip light kit which has a wireless remote which also adjusts the color temperature.

I also have a pair of LANCOSC magnifier lights.
 

Offline madires

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2024, 11:53:47 am »
Aluminium U profile plus LED strip of your choice.
 

Online Tony_G

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2024, 07:52:45 pm »
General bench lighting is useful, but consider having one light on a long gooseneck.

Benefit: can move to light equipment interiors and/or avoid reflections.

Great recommendation - That magnifying glass on the arm there has a ring light on it so I can move it around if I need more light - Plus it helps my old man eyes actually see things better...

It isn't in the photo I attached but I also have one of those magnetic gooseneck LED lights that I stick to the racks to provide more light on the fronts of the instruments - Useful for me again.

TonyG

Online tggzzz

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2024, 09:00:27 pm »
It is very personal, but I've never liked the ring magnifiers.

OTOH the cheap head mounted magnifying visors suit me perfectly. Several different magnifications, plus they work with spectacles.

I also have binocular microscopes, but rarely use them.
There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and ADC/DAC specs.
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Offline David Hess

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2024, 01:35:25 am »
When I do not need the lens in my ring magnifier, I use it as a desk lamp.
 

Offline 5U4GB

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2024, 09:19:39 am »
"I'm also looking for bench lighting, but I wonder how these LED options might affect measurements in terms of interference. I'm a bit hesitant to attach them right under the shelf where I keep all my TE.

There's several threads on here that go into issue this in some detail, e.g. here and here.  The best solution seems to be an LED strip without active components run from a linear power supply.
 
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Offline jonpaul

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2024, 05:54:05 am »
Original vintage Luxo lamps with LED filament bulbs.

Like the dual incandescenmt/circle fluro as larger reflector.

 Not the base but the  clamp to benchtop style

We have 10 of them,

Jon
An Internet Dinosaur...
 

Online Whales

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2024, 10:10:47 am »
I prefer large, diffused light sources instead of small spotlights.  Small spotlights are visible as reflected images on shiny surfaces like PCBs, making good PCB photos impossible and visibility of small parts for soldering intermittant.   

LED strips pointed at white ceilings (or shelves above workbenches in my case) work much better.  Big diffuse lights (like what they use in ceiling panels) would also work if you try and cover all surface above your bench with them, but they cost more :)

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2024, 12:14:03 pm »
I prefer large, diffused light sources instead of small spotlights.  Small spotlights are visible as reflected images on shiny surfaces like PCBs, making good PCB photos impossible and visibility of small parts for soldering intermittant.   

LED strips pointed at white ceilings (or shelves above workbenches in my case) work much better.  Big diffuse lights (like what they use in ceiling panels) would also work if you try and cover all surface above your bench with them, but they cost more :)

Diffused sources cause diffused reflections in all directions. Sometimes it is preferable to have strong reflections in other directions.

The same principle is used in the anti-glint shape of the F117 stealth fighter.

Hence I like both spotlights and diffuse lights, for different reasons.
There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and ADC/DAC specs.
Glider pilot's aphorism: "there is no substitute for span". Retort: "There is a substitute: skill+imagination. But you can buy span".
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Offline Shock

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2024, 02:31:13 am »
If you haven't considered it, then you could use strip or cob led lighting but use alternate power sources or even lighting for precision measurements. That way best of both worlds without sacrificing ideal lighting the rest of the time.
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Offline nukie

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #15 on: October 12, 2024, 12:49:51 pm »
I'm interested in uniform and smooth lighting. So I spent about aud$40 all up to hang this high CRI ceiling panel lighting 60cm from the desk surface and in front of my working position to prevent my head from making shadow. It is super bright, best money and time ever spent.

It's wide, big, cover the whole desk area, some what universal and best of all lots of temperature choices. I never worry about it being outdated or need to find the right bulb. These panels are stupid affordable and commonly use in office buildings and many of these makes a good high tech batman cave.

Of course it collects dust, but cleaning is optional.  :-DD

https://www.ledvance.com/professional/products/luminaires/professional-luminaires/panel-luminaires/mounting-accessories-for-panel-luminaires/suspension-kit-for-panel-luminaires-c8627?productId=138302
« Last Edit: October 12, 2024, 01:12:25 pm by nukie »
 
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Offline iJoseph2

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #16 on: October 12, 2024, 01:30:37 pm »
I've bought three of these for around the house ..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285784010288

.. so if i ever need more than one I can borrow one from another room.

Powered from 5v USB power supply. I'm guessing it can be powered from a power bank too but I've never needed to do that.

Inside it has one strip of warm white, one strip of cold white, and the third setting is both on at the same time. Then there's a setting to control the brightness.

It's possibly a little too dim but I just swing the arm closer to what I'm looking at.

I've also used it to inspect the tip of a turntable stylus by taping a usb microscope onto the light (to provide good ambient lighting).

It's not the best of lights but is workable. I like the fact the power supply is separate as it gives options if a part fails.
 

Offline Shock

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #17 on: October 16, 2024, 02:34:00 am »
I'm interested in uniform...

Do you have a link to that specific panel and a photo with the main lights out? What do you drive it with and does it have adjustment?
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
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Online nctnico

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Re: Bench lighting recomendations
« Reply #18 on: October 20, 2024, 06:14:38 pm »
I'm interested in uniform and smooth lighting. So I spent about aud$40 all up to hang this high CRI ceiling panel lighting 60cm from the desk surface and in front of my working position to prevent my head from making shadow. It is super bright, best money and time ever spent.

It's wide, big, cover the whole desk area, some what universal and best of all lots of temperature choices. I never worry about it being outdated or need to find the right bulb. These panels are stupid affordable and commonly use in office buildings and many of these makes a good high tech batman cave.
Which exact panel did you buy? I have been looking at LED panels myself but never found a model with particulary high CRI. At the moment I'm using Philips CFLs with CRI > 95.
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