Which LED bulbs work best?

**rattlerskin** · 02-20-2014, 11:02 AM

I have read the posts on here about using LED bulbs and stands to replace halogen setups, but it seems like most or all of the bulbs referenced before are not available any longer. What PAR30/PAR38 bulbs are available now? I have looked around Home Depot for the single diode EcoSmart bulbs, but it seems like they have changed the design and it now has over a dozen individual diodes. Lets hear what everyone is using so we can update everyone who would like to go to LED but doesn`t know what to use.

**colinpd137** · 02-20-2014, 04:15 PM

Something like this, hope it helps!

Shop Utilitech 90-Watt PAR38 Medium Base Daylight Outdoor LED Flood Light Bulb at Lowes.com

**Ronkh** · 02-20-2014, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by colinpd137

Something like this, hope it helps!

Shop Utilitech 90-Watt PAR38 Medium Base Daylight Outdoor LED Flood Light Bulb at Lowes.com

This item is no longer available on Lowes.com.

**colinpd137** · 02-21-2014, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by Ronkh

This item is no longer available on Lowes.com.

Yeah they discontinued them.. BUT, Costco sells the same ones (different brand of course) for 1/2 the price. (every costco is different though, would have to check locally with yours) I was just trying to give him an idea of what bulb it was, the hunt is now up to him

**pwaug** · 02-21-2014, 01:06 PM

It appears there are a few available on eBay. Here`s an example
EcoSmart PAR38 LED Dimmable 18 Watt Daylight White Indoor Outdoor 407414 | eBay

It`s important that they are single diode and 5000K color temperature for the best swirl delineation.

Here`s a great thread regarding lighting. Post #37 shows a great work light 2 light set up

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...out-there.html

**rattlerskin** · 02-21-2014, 02:11 PM

I`ve read the bulb review that was posted on here, but it`s been tough finding anything close to what was used in the review. Thanks for the input so far, it`s been helpful.

**Ronkh** · 02-21-2014, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by colinpd137

Yeah they discontinued them.. BUT, Costco sells the same ones (different brand of course) for 1/2 the price. (every costco is different though, would have to check locally with yours) I was just trying to give him an idea of what bulb it was, the hunt is now up to him

actually saw them at Costco today

**Woob** · 02-21-2014, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by ski2

It appears there are a few available on eBay. Here`s an example
EcoSmart PAR38 LED Dimmable 18 Watt Daylight White Indoor Outdoor 407414 | eBay

It`s important that they are single diode and 5000K color temperature for the best swirl delineation.

Here`s a great thread regarding lighting. Post #37 shows a great work light 2 light set up

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...out-there.html

How can one tell if it is single diode?

Par30 Ecosmart bulb I used is awesome except for the blueish tint.

**rattlerskin** · 02-21-2014, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Woob

How can one tell if it is single diode?

You have to actually look down into the face of the bulb to see, which is the issue I am having with shopping for these online. Many of these bulbs switched over to multi-diode, which is not good for our purposes.

**skibik** · 02-21-2014, 06:01 PM

Here is what I bought. It only come at that time with a small stand. If you wanted it on a tri-pod you had to buy the twin lights and they were over $100 for that set up. I think I have $40 into the light and $10 in the camera tri-pod.

I didn`t want the Halogen set up since they get so hot. This light works but it really isn`t bright enough. I just unbolted the stand it bolts right up to the camera stand. It seems to work for for the side of my vehicle but it gets a little top heavy when the legs are stretched out and the light tilted so for hood and roof I just work the area and then use the quick detach and use it as a spot light.

Maybe you could find something similar and something with more Lumens. It was advertised as 500 Lumen on Amazon but on the box it states it is only 350. It is bright but could be brighter.

This is a dark room shining against medium brown wood paneling to kind of give you an idea.

Dean.

**Gurge** · 02-21-2014, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by rattlerskin

I have read the posts on here about using LED bulbs and stands to replace halogen setups, but it seems like most or all of the bulbs referenced before are not available any longer. What PAR30/PAR38 bulbs are available now? I have looked around Home Depot for the single diode EcoSmart bulbs, but it seems like they have changed the design and it now has over a dozen individual diodes. Lets hear what everyone is using so we can update everyone who would like to go to LED but doesn`t know what to use.

I noticed home depot stopped carrying them. Lowe`s near me still carries them.

Par 38 single diode LED floodlight 5500k daylight spectrum. Not sure if I have 18w or 20w

the key I find is getting single diode. Multi diode will certainly work, but I prefer the big fat single diode in there. I feel it mimics the sun pretty well

and the confusion as to which bulb are single is why I buy them locally. So I can hold it in my hand and look at it.

**pwaug** · 02-21-2014, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Woob

How can one tell if it is single diode?

Par30 Ecosmart bulb I used is awesome except for the blueish tint.

The blueish tint indicates the bulb is 6500K color temperature. 5000K temperature is flat white light.

**pwaug** · 02-21-2014, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by rattlerskin

I`ve read the bulb review that was posted on here, but it`s been tough finding anything close to what was used in the review. Thanks for the input so far, it`s been helpful.

There were a number of the exact same bulbs on eBay previously sold by Home Depot in my post above.

Here`s another one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-4-Eco...item417cd557d5 Four bulbs for $38 --pretty good deal--may pick this up to use as spares. If you look at one of the pictures near the bottom you`ll see they are 5000K