Floodlight rating - which will be suitable?

[IfInDoubtDIY]

Hi everyone,

I have two sets of outdoor floodlights which have stopped working and need replacing.

One is a PIR-linked floodlight above our garage, the other is a pair of switched floodlights above the kitchen door.

The PIR-linked floodlight, before it stopped working, was REALLY bright - the sort of thing you’d find mounted above a prison exercise yard! The same with the double set above the kitchen.

I’m planning to replace the PIR one with another PIR-linked unit, this is what I have in mind:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-weyburn-outdoor-led-floodlight-with-pir-sensor-black-30w-3000lm/892pg

For the two lights above the kitchen door, I’m planning to replace with just one of the non-PIR version of the above, i.e. this one:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-weyburn-outdoor-led-floodlight-with-pir-sensor-black-30w-3000lm/892pg

I was planning to go for 50w lights but I’d read a few posts on here which said that 50w was unnecessary in a garden!

Would 30w be suitable? I read a post on Screwfix forums where someone said “30w won’t be as bright as you’d think it will be”. I want lights that are bright enough to light up the area but not bright enough to annoy the neighbours!

 

[Jurassicspark]

30W should be bright enough. My floodlight is rated at 15W (I think?) and its bright enough.

You should be looking at the lumen value and not the wattage specification that should give you a better idea.

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

Thanks @Jurassicspark. Those lights are 3000 lumens, and I have a couple of solar lights at the front door which together are about 1800 lumens and are bright enough. So maybe even 2000 lumens would be enough.

Honestly not sure why the previous owners went for such bright lights - but then they were installed using Twin and Earth tacked to an outside wall instead of black flex so I’m guessing the installer either wasn’t that competent or was cheap!

 

[ericmark]

I found down to design, this lamp is designed for a bulb which will shine in all directions but down past the base, but the LED is basic shining up, the defuser may help, but I tried reflective foil, I did not end up quite like shown, but the underside of the top was mat black not really the colour wanted to reflect light.

Lumen is no help, as it does not reflect the direction of the light, only the amount. The bulb really needs to be base at top.

I found over 15 watt, better to have a second lamp. There are exceptions, found a bulb with wings, which was very good, but what the lumen is seems to have no relation to how bright it seems.

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

Update for all who may be interested:

I have purchased a 20w PIR Floodlight for above the garage, and I will replace the two above the kitchen door with a single 30W Floodlight. Definitely don’t need to be any brighter.

 

[Taylortwocities]

You’d be able to light most of Wembley Stadium with a 30watt LED flood!
Hope your neighbours have sunglasses

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

You’d be able to light most of Wembley Stadium with a 30watt LED flood!
Hope your neighbours have sunglasses

Yes which is why I went for a 20w instead of a 30w.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I was referring to this…

I will replace the two above the kitchen door with a single 30W Floodlight.

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

I was referring to this…

Ah ok! Well in that case I will use a 20w instead! I haven’t purchased anything for that particular project yet so I still have time.

 

[ericmark]

I think most of my outside lights less than 15 watts, OK there are 8 of them, 6 Wi-Fi controlled. I arrive home OK, somewhat below the main house and I need to walk around the house to get to the main entrance, but light does not shine around corners, so a few outside lights are required. But I love it here, hearing the train whistle blow.