LED Ceiling Lighting Color (K) Question

Hi Nick,

Dimming lights does not change the color balance of the lighting, only the brightness or intensity.  5000K dimmed is still 5000K, but not as bright.

Jim

There's a guy on model railroad hobbyist that had a huge N, but now is doing a German HO layout.  Can't remember his name, he has blog on there and lives in Florida.  He has done his own LED strip lighting.  In this scenario, you could run 5000K for working and 3500K for viewing.  Then just separately switch on the appropriate one.

I recently installed can LED lighting in my train room.  Color was my biggest concern.  I actually love the lighting.  The color is true.

David,

That work would look good in black and white! Just amazing.

wild mary posted:

My question is by dimming the 5000K can I effectively  reach 3500K  warm white which will be easier on the eyes for viewing?  Thanks for any input.

Be sure your light bulbs are rated for dimming.  K value will stay the same.  See:

"EagleLight use of LED Color Temperature  (more detail here)
To simplify the selection of LED light bulb color temperatures EagleLight uses the following definitions for various color temperatures: • Warm White: typically from 2600 Kelvin to 3500 Kelvin
• Natural White: typically from 4000 Kelvin to 4500 Kelvin
• Daylight White: typically from 5000 Kelvin to 5500 Kelvin
• Commercial or Cool White: typically above 6000 Kelvin"

"Standard CFL or LED screw-in replacement bulbs are NOT all dimmable. If you want to dim a standard CFL or LED screw-in bulb, you must use a bulb that was designed for dimming. You can find out if a bulb is dimmable on the bulb’s package and/or on the bulb itself. Bulbs that can’t be used on a dimmer will have the caution statement "not for use with dimmers" marked directly on the bulb."

My Run Room started with dimmer switches on all overhead lighting.  I discovered I never used the dimmers and replaced all my dimmer switches with regular wall switches.

I found the type of fixtures that the OP is talking about , not just bulbs but actual light fixtures, helped avoid head bumping and hair burning due to max. 6 foot ceilings.  The light thrown is not harsh or unnatural, as proven in David's photography.

In my case, these fixtures were used on their own , rather than for adapting to existing pot lights.  Their low profile of about 2" made installation anywhere possible.  I run 10 of them without a dimmer, instead providing a dusk lighting atmosphere with dimmable 12V LED strips.  Those have a decidedly blue hue, which i have modified with a yellow Sharpie.

Bruce

Dimming 5000k does not change the color range, they are just less bright. We have the whole room full of 5000k on a dimmer and they are great. Above 5000 you start to get the bluish tint. 5000k is bright clear light where the 3000 range starts into the yellowish tint.

A lot also depends on your layout room, where and you want the lights to do. We experimented a lot with different temps, lumens and locations. Bought about a dozen different bulbs and put them up during different phases of the layout build. They make a dramatic change, especially when you have bright colors like red and yellow. Also do you like photography as part of the hobby. We can shoot photos without putting up portable lights, and then dim them down for an evening effect. it's not something to rush to judgment with or go the cheapest route possible.

Ours are 4 years old now and technology has changed a lot. We used 950 lumen, 5000k, dimmable CFL's at $20 a pop, with over 30 of them lighting the room split between 2 circuits.   

Hey guys thanks for all the info and help on LED lighting.  I really wasn't aware about how the various "K" ratings affect the overall look.  I've decided to go with warm lighting (3200K).  My train room is 12' X 17' so I've ordered 12  4" 7W (60W equivalent) LED dimmable recessed downlight fixtures.  Thanks again for all the help. 

I pretty much stay with 2700K LED lighting.  To me it's basically using the same color as a warm white light bulb.  I have them in 4 inch recessed housings using the straight down variety for overall lighting and some with gimbals for more accent lighting. 

Anything above 2700K is too "cool" for my tastes.  After using florescent tubes, I really like the new "color".

If you're going to use a dimmer, you can't use regular ones.  You need to buy a dimmer that works specifically with LED lighting.

Fred

David Minarik, that lighting in your picture looks absolutely gorgeous.  Almost feels like you're standing outside.