LED stage lighting

[localzuk]

We're looking at reducing our electricity usage in school and LED stage lighting has come up as an option.

 

Every day, we use the stage lighting for assemblies, so at the moment we have at least 10kW of lighting on for a minimum of half an hour a day, with there often being more usage.

 

So, we're looking at LED lighting for the day to day stuff (and keeping the other lanterns for our shows only).

 

The question I have is what brightness LED lanterns should I be looking at? I'm seeing models at 25W and 36W, but I want to see if anyone else is using these and what type they use?

[JRowley]

Sorry, have no experience with LED lighting myself so can't comment on that, but you use your stage lighting for assemblies? Is there a specific reason for that? Seems generally wasteful whether you're using traditional lighting or LED lighting. Edited October 16, 2014 by JRowley

[fairm010]

Our stage lighting is only ever used for Shows and Events. Never daily assemblies.

[localzuk]

Sorry, have no experience with LED lighting myself so can't comment on that, but you use your stage lighting for assemblies? Is there a specific reason for that? Seems generally wasteful whether you're using traditional lighting or LED lighting.

 

We do what we're told... The head wants the lights used that way, so they get used that way.

[tekins]

Not sure on electricity prices, but even at 10p per unit that would be only £1 a day (based on an hours usage), that would be an awfully long payback period. Of course if they need replacing, LED is the way to go.

[localzuk]

Not sure on electricity prices, but even at 10p per unit that would be only £1 a day (based on an hours usage), that would be an awfully long payback period. Of course if they need replacing, LED is the way to go.

 

We do things long term here, we prefer to pay a capital cost then low ongoing than a high ongoing cost. We'd also switch out the floods in our drama studio (used daily as well, but 5kW of lights). That £1 a day works out at £200 a school year. As the light units seem to be about £70 each, we'd make the money back in a few years, quicker when you include the replacement lamps we have to put in the existing lanterns. Running 10 of the 36W lanterns would cost us 3p per day instead...

[Andrew_C]

The real advantage of LED lanterns is that they can do colours without changing gels. That, for assemblies, is probably moot. They are quite uncomfortable to look at.

 

If it was me, I'd go for PAR64 sized and bright. Much more use for other things on stage. Be aware that you will need to run "non-dim" circuits to the fittings, along with DMX cables. The settings for these lights can be tricky, with poor (or no) instructions, and no continuity between batches. Unless you buy name brands, which has price aspect. (Pulsar, ETC, etc.)

 

If you want something REALLY special... ETC Source 4

[localzuk]

Trying to save money... Not spend it.

 

I'm looking at these - https://www.studiospares.com/Performance/DJ-Lights/LEDJ-Slimline-1T-36-Cob-(Black)_479050.htm

 

For general flood, nothing special. No spotting. We already have DMX to the bars (we have some moving head spots).

[dave.81]

Our whole stage lighting is LED as it was replaced couple years ago, we've got loads of these Lamps and a couple of LED Zoom lamps too but they aren't as bright as the general PAR cans.

[Chris_]

We have some LED fixtures in our hall but mainly for effect and colours. They're 42W each. 1x 650w fresnel does a much better job at illuminating a person than a bunch of these so that's what we would use.

 

I'm interested to try some of these 100w LED fresnels, they say they're equivalent to a 750w traditional lantern. Eurolite LED THA-100F COB 3200K - Thomann UK

 

Or alternatively there's thousands of LED par cans to choose from that would allow you to mix different colours.

 

45W RGBW LED par can: Stairville Led Par 64 CX-1 RGB+W 15x3W - Thomann UK

108w RGB LED par can: Stairville LED PAR64 PRO 36x3W Short B - Thomann UK

[Andrew_C]

With single LEDs; I'm going to guess they will HURT to look into! 60 degree spread sounds wide, but that depends on your stage.

[LincolnE]

All I can suggest is regardless of what you choose, don't go for the cheapest no-name option. Our media tech guys were playing around with some cheap cans bought off of amazon, needless to say they all ended up in the bin due to poor quality.

[localzuk]

Ok, for some clarity - we currently have 500W floods and 500W fresnels doing the job. About 12 of the fresnels, and 9 floods.

 

Also, saying a single point LED would be uncomfortable to look at, surely that's just the same as the traditional lanterns? They only have a single lamp in them...

[Pyroman]

No to hijack the thread but what lighting desks are you all using with the LED lights? Looking to do an install at work and possibly buy stuff for the band

[JRowley]

Couldn't you just use diffusers to solve the single point problem? Alternatively encourage staff not to stare at the lighting rig during assemblies!

[mikkydoos]

I'd buy a cheap Behringer lighting desk, couple of DMX controllers and some cheap 65+W LED lamps.

 

You can set colours, brightness etc and basically set it how you want with a lot less lamps I presume. Add some moving lamps later if you want for about £350

 

LED lamps aren't as directional as standard PAR lamps. The light spread is far wider and the light is 'cold'. It needs warming up with a little red/blue.

 

White light is made up of RED/GREEN/BLUE & AMBER. For directional spotlights you're gonna need more tham 65W I'd say

Edited October 16, 2014 by mikkydoos

[Andrew_C]

Also, saying a single point LED would be uncomfortable to look at, surely that's just the same as the traditional lanterns?

Try it; as you don't yet have the stage lights, try a modern bicycle light.

 

Couldn't you just use diffusers to solve the single point problem?

The ones under discussion are already 60degree fittings. My guess is that this may be too wide already.

[hallb15]

We use two LEDJ Performas LEDJ Performer 18 Quad 18 x 8W Pro LED Par Can PA Systems, Speakers, Amplifiers | Laser Disco Lights, Band Stage Lighting - Astounded

And two LEDJ Alucompacts from LEDJ Alu Par Compact Tri LED Par Can Light (Black) PA Systems, Speakers, Amplifiers | Laser Disco Lights, Band Stage Lighting - Astounded

 

They are very bright and I understand what @Andrew_C is saying about blinding the people on stage, but they do a good job for us and are a vast improvement over the traditional par cans we used to use.

 

 

Depending on what desk you are going to control the lights with, it can make sense to stick with one brand as they all use different DMX channel assignments. For example the LEDJs use channel 1 for master dimmer and 2 for strobe.

If you are using software like FreeStyler, make sure you can get a fixture profile for the lights you buy!

Edited October 16, 2014 by hallb15