Light for reloading question

[.308 garand]

I am currently building a reloading bench and want to install a light on the bench. I was going to install a florescent light underneath the top shelf but I read somewhere that a florescent light will mess with the scales? Is this true? If so does anyone have any suggestions on what type of light to use? I would love to see some pictures of how some of you have your lights setup.

Thanks,
.308

 

[cdrt]

I don't use them because they pulse and give me migraines. Never heard about them messing up scales.
You might want to check with Home Depot, etc and see what other kinds of lights can be mounted under your shelf. That is a great location, since it should give you good lighting for your equipment.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Last year I switched out the ballasts in my fluorescent lighting fixtures to electronic ballasts, and switched out the bulbs to 1" bulbs(from the original 1.5" bulbs), which give off much greater light and use MUCH less electricity. Ask about them in lighting stores - I was able to keep my fixtures but the new ballasts and bulbs are much more efficient and now I have plenty of light!

 

[Mal H]

Matt - ain't that the truth! I replaced the ballast in a fluorescent fixture that seemed like it wasn't giving off the amount of light it should. The "old, tired" bulbs popped back to life and the light easily doubled.

cdrt - I understand the headache problem. However, the newer designs have a better (longer lasting in terms of light decay) coating and therefore much less strobing.


I haven't heard about fluorescent lamps affecting a scale. I suppose under the right circumstances, it could affect an electronic scale that has a AC-DC converter - but I doubt it.

Anyway, I have 2 2-bulb 48" flourescent fixtures in my reloading room and they work fine for me.

For those who go shopping for fluorescent fixtures, you might want to bypass the bargain "shop lights". They rarely have good ballasts and quality bulbs.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Fluorescent lights effecting scales? Must be the solar wind...

 

[RustyFN]

I have heard of fluorescent lights causing problems with electronic scales but haven't experienced it myself. I have a desk lamp on one of those arms so you can move it around and a light on my press. I couldn't find a picture of the bench light but here is the light on my press.
Rusty

 

[CZ57]

The flourescent lights in my shop are mounted on the ceiling at least 5 feet above my scale location and I don't worry about them, but I can see where your concern is justified. You don't want anything that creates a magnetic field anywhere near your scale that has to dampen magnetic influences. Electricity builds a magnetic field around anything it passes through, and even in insulated wiring, your only counter to it is shielded cable. I'd keep that light a good distance from the scale, just to be on the safe side.

 

[Quickdraw McGraw]

Where'd U get that light

RustyFN where did you get that light for your turret press? Is that a flexible LED light? I've seen some on Ebay for $8.00 to $10.00. Can I ask where you got yours and how much you paid. I just got the Lee Classic Turret and gettin it set up and I WANT one of those lights!

 

[qbpc]

Flourescent ballasts are normally called magnetic ballast (I have changed thousands). This will mess with most scales if it is close enough. New electronic ballasts has less of an magnetic strength but a 1 grain diffrence in powder reading can cause a very bad day. I use a led light by my reloading press (no heat and no risk of spark). I bought it from Office Max. Before that a incondesent light on the ceiling was used.
BB