Backyard Batting Cage

The indoor batting cage offers an excellent opportunity to practice baseball in an enjoyable manner. The lights ceiling for indoor softball practices is generally lower than a tennis field a basketball court. So, we need specially created LED lighting designs to illuminate backyard and indoor cage. Inside the batting cage, the baseball moves at a very high speed. It is necessary that the players are able to see the ball clearly, without being distracted by glare. The primary objective of batting cage lighting is to create a field of uniform illumination across its perimeter.

Batting Cage with LED Lights

For the low bay lighting of the indoor batting cage, we should use the larger beam angle. The angle of the LED lights determines how wide the beam spread will be on the ground. The beam light spread is directly related to the angel of LED lights. For batting cage lighting, we generally choose 90 or 120-degree.

We can calculate the amount of power required and for this, we need to understand what factors are guiding the power selection. General batting cage needs brightness in the range of 150 to 250 lux. This amount of brightness would be just fine for indoor use. Now to choose the power, we require 2.5W LED lights for every 1m2. Therefore, if the softball field measures 100 sq. meter, we require 250W LED lights. However, this is a rough estimation. For more precise calculation, you need to talk to a lighting designer.

Inside the field, a baseball can have a speed of 100 km/h. In order to ensure a proper vision of the fast-moving fall, the batting cage needs to be properly illuminated.

Here is how you can light up the indoor softball playing area properly.

1. Brightness or Lux Level Required

The ground lux is one of the mechanisms to describe brightness. This is basically a calculation of how much light the batting cage turf would receive. Generally speaking, the lighting requirement is in the range of 300 to 500 lux. This level of brightness is ideal for recreational and training purposes. The number of powers required for this purpose depends on the height of the ceiling and area of the batting cage turf.

2. Lighting Uniformity

Besides adequate and appropriate brightness, we also need to make sure that the illumination has high uniformity across the turf. This means that the brightness is same across the entire length and breadth of the batting cage and the remaining turf.

To work out uniform brightness in the batting cage, we can the following formula:

Minimum Lux: Average Lux or Minimum Lux: Maximum Lux equals to 1. However, for the recreational purposes, the indoor batting cage and softball field should have a uniformity of 0.5 to 0.6.

Discussion

There are a number of ready-to-use LED backyard batting cage lighting systems available on the market. They use the latest technology to understand the needs of the playing environment inside indoor facilities and design a lighting system that can effectively address the needs. Usually, these lighting systems come as a kit of containing several components include the pole and the light. These lightings are available in different capacity and power. In order to understand how much light you need for the backyard batting cage, you can take help of a lighting designer or even the store manager from where you plan to procure the lights. Keep the measurements ready with when you visit the store to check out on the sports lighting options for indoor baseball and softball facilities.

Baseball is characterized by power and speed. In order to achieve the highest level of performance, players need to train themselves very hard. But the competition at the top level is very intense and the margin between the winner and the loser is very small. If the environment at the batting cage is not optimized to produce the best from individual players, their competitiveness would suffer. Uniform and effective illumination of the backyard and batting cage are necessary to keep the standards of the game high. What is important to achieve is that the light should be even across the entire area. No part should have less or more light than any other part of the field.

Conclusion

There are several types of indoor baseball facilities. Most of them are used for practice and recreational purposes. The lighting fixtures in batting cage needs to match the standard so that the players enjoy an ideal environment for the game. There are indoor facilities that allow high-level competitive matches. These facilities need to maintain a very high standard of uniform illumination on the field. And, this is not an easy job. This is a specialized task of a light designer. A lot of these lighting solutions are available online also.

We hope the information provided here will help you a great deal in understanding the technical nuances of backyard batting cage lighting and the options that are available in the category of lighting. However, if you feel the need for more information or want to talk to a qualified lighting designer, we would be happy to help you. You can contact us with your plans and proposals, and we will make sure that they are delivered to your satisfaction.

The post How to Illuminate Backyard & Indoor Batting Cage with LED Lights appeared first on LEDStadium.

Illuminating a field is important for various reasons. For baseball players, they need clear visibility to play well. This guarantees their safety. The last thing you want in the field is players hitting each other with bats. A lot of injuries will occur with dim lights. Spectators also need to see their playing teams. Otherwise, how would they cheer their players? They can also feel secure when they sit to enjoy the game. In case of any incidence, the authorities can know where the commotion is coming from.

The difference between softball and baseball lies in the bats. Baseball bats are heavier and longer than a softball. Baseballs are also white with red stitches and a 9-inch circumference. Softballs, on the other hand, are larger with a 12-inch circumference. They ate yellow in color and soft. Pitching is distinct in that, baseball elevates the ball 60 feet away from the plate. Softball pitches the ball on a flat circle 43 feet away from the plate.

Baseball Field Lighting Expenditure

Buying LED lights for a common field will cost about $20,000 to $60,000. The maintenance expenses with LED are minimal because they are legit. MLB will make you use a large amount of $90,000 to $170,000. The prices have skyrocketed due to the high demand for secure lights.

In China, the price of a lamp for a standard baseball diamond will be about $35,000 to $95,000. In the USA the same lamp will be at a price of $140,000 to $250,000. LED lights need a budget of $700 a month. The metal halide lights require about $1400 a month to run it.

To install the lights, different companies offer varied prices. Generally, you can expect about 30% to 80% of the buying price.

Factors that affect the lighting cost of baseball field

The cost of setting up an adequate lighting system depends on certain factors. You can either incur extra charges or lower prices depending on the following.

1. The origin of the manufacturer

Lighting companies can be from China, USA, Canada and the U.K. they have different prices when it comes to selling the equipment. China has the cheapest prices when you buy them in wholesale. Due to the digital world, you can order the goods online. Some of the best industries have their warehouses in the US and Europe for instance, Made In China Company. The products are also of good quality.

Canada, USA, and UK have lighting materials that are highly priced. It is really expensive for purchasing them in the three countries. This is because of the factory rent, labor, and material prices. You will end up spending more money on getting the baseball field ready. Remember that installation costs await you also.

2. Size of the field

When buying the materials, have this question at the back of your mind. What are the dimensions of the softball field? That way you will know what to budget for. You will, therefore, need a big budget if you have a large area of the field. This is because a big field needs maximum light so as to get proper illumination. More lights are needed to get the whole field lighted up sufficiently.

A small-sized field will be lowly-priced. It will require a small budget. The area to get light does not require a lot of concentration. Lights should however not be glaring because it affects the sight. Uniformity is thus, required.

3. Height of the mast pole

A softball field with a high mast pole will require a high amount of lights. This might be approximately 15 to 50 meters high. When the pole is high, light does not reach the ground faster. It is lost in the air before it touches the surface. Hence the price of buying and installing the lights will certainly over the roof. Installing them is a challenge too. Flickering might occur due to the height. The amount paid will be high.

A baseball diamond with a short pole mast will be economical. First, the charges you will spend on purchases are quite low. Less power is needed for the lights. Since the installation will be fast, you will also be charged less.

4. Field Competitions

If the field is being used for training, you don’t require as much light. Normal training means there are players only in the field. Therefore, you might illuminate a small area. The expenditure will be low. The lux level needed would be 300. To light up the baseball diamond would be cheaper due to low standards.

For the Major League Baseball or MLB, there would be a lot of expectations. The lux requirement would be from 1000 to 2500 or more. High power is a condition with high league tournaments. This means that there are many spectators and players who deserve good lights. Hence you have to invest a good amount of money for lighting. The cost would be high since excellent lights are the basis of being a host. The requirements and conditions should match a high-class softball field.

5. Type of lights

There are different types of light for a baseball diamond. HPS floodlights, metal halide or halogen kinds are cheap to purchase. LED lights are more expensive than all of them. At first, you will have a totally different idea about the lights. In your mind when you get the cheap ones you will feel great. You will have saved a lot of money. However, you will be disappointed in the end.

An example is that halogen of 500 watts cost $30 to $70. LED lights with 500 watts are priced at $500 to $800. The field requires 10 halogen lights which are 500 watts each to be on par with one LED light. Halogen lights have to be replaced every now and then which is costly. They lose brightness within a short span. LED lights are more durable. Hence, LED is the best to buy. Even though you will pay dearly, you will have stable lights for a long time.

How to Save the Money

High revenue will hurt your finances. It is crucial to know how to slash the expenses down. You can have a pocket-friendly lighting system that lasts long. Here are tips on how to get a reasonably priced lighting for your field.

1. Consider highly efficient lighting

First, buy the energy efficient lights. For this reason, LED lights will be the best choice. You will save a whole $500 a month as compared to metal halide lights. LED conserve up to 80% of the energy. You will pay low bills. LED lights also come with sensors. This means that when the lights are not needed, they can be turned off.

2. Proper installation

Pointing the lights in the right direction is also important. It saves money and time. Installation can be quite tricky depending on the field design. The installers should have a proper way of placing the lights. This will include lights that do not glare. When lights are not properly installed, a lot is wasted. They get lost and do not reach the intended target. Well installed lights serve the purpose of illuminating the field. Even distribution is paramount at all times.

3. Purchase lights that are sturdy

Lights that are long-lasting are economical. You don’t have to buy them after a short time. LED lights will give you a great service for a number of years. Buying the halogen types will mean that you have to replace them regularly.

4. Order the material from China and its warehouses

This is a great move because China offers budget-friendly goods. You can take advantage of their warehouses in different locations. Shipping them will not cost as much as buying hem in the US, Canada or UK. Shipping fee is also affordable. You can get in touch with the companies online and organize for deliveries.

Conclusion

Lighting a baseball field is now convenient. The right place to get equipment is China. The LED lights will save you a lot of money. It is the best option to try out. It will cost you high but later, you will appreciate the work it does.

As the baseball game continues, fans can see their team well. The broadcasters can also do their job without any difficulty. Lighting comes with a price but it is of benefit. The people will be secure and also their property.

Insufficient lighting has caused a lot of damages in baseball tournaments. Hence it is a wise decision to consider LED lights. They don’t need high maintenance and they light up the place with great color.

If you would like to get the best price of baseball stadium lighting, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer versatile sports lighting solution for any baseball fields.

The post Softball and Baseball Field Lighting Cost appeared first on LEDStadium.

Importance of cricket field lights

At times, the cricket ball can move at very high speeds, a situation that will require the players to react at closer quarters. All the phases of play have to be clearly visible. The batsman has to see the run up, the bowler’s arm movements and the delivery of the ball. The fielders and the bowler should also see the batsman, wicket and the ball’s flight clearly throughout the match.

The preference for natural daylight used in sports halls and stadiums is strong. With the approach, careful shading and proper coordination of light with the play areas is important to ensure that the distribution of light is even and to avoid direct sunlight. The artificial lighting should produce conditions similar to natural daylight.

Cricket stadium managers achieve that by using many fluorescent lights that they mount on high poles. They can choose to run the light fittings parallel on both sides of the wicket ensuring that they are in line with the play direction. They can also choose to mount them transversely with screening to prevent the line of sight of the batsman.

Lamps with diffusers that provide lower glare rating can help control glare. Light colored ceilings also reduce contrast and can, therefore, help in the reduction of glare. Careful coordination of lighting locations, net tracks, heating systems, and the wicket can help eliminate shadows and facilitate achievement of even light distribution.

Metal halide lamps vs. LED cricket stadium lamps

Perhaps, you remember the temporary power outage that turned the Super Bowl Sunday into a blackout Sunday. On that day, the Baltimore Ravens were taking on against the popular San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, the Superdome had a power outage that continued for 34 minutes. In fact, if LED lights were the once used in this field in New Orleans, the situation would have been different.

The light fixtures used were the main problem. After the blackout, the technicians restored the light immediately, but like many other sports venues, the Superdome relied on halide lamps for the illumination. The lights took 30 minutes for warm up and the game could not continue until the light fixtures had attained the full brightness.

Metal halide lamps are high intensity discharge lights that provide very bright light – in white and blue spectrums. They have been in use since the early 1960s, mostly in retail stores and sports fields. The ability of these lamps to produce very bright white light, high luminous efficacy, and long lifespan has made them a popular choice for very many years.

To produce light, an electric arc has to go through a gaseous mixture. The lamps contain gases like argon, mercury, xenon in addition to various metal halides. The metal halides result from a combination of halogen with metals. In a metal halide lamp, the metals have to be mixed with iodine or bromine. The used type of metal halide dictates the color temperature of produced light.

Unfortunately, metal halide lamps have many drawbacks. Here are the common problems to expect with these lights.

Limitation of metal halide

1. Longer warm up time

After switching on the metal halide lamps, they will take a very long time to warm up. To achieve the full brightness, these lamps can take between 15 minutes and 30 minutes.

2. Longer cool down time

If by any chance someone disconnects the lamps from the power switch, they will switch off automatically and take 5-10 minutes to restart.

3. Color shifting

This is the commonest problem of the halide lamps. As they age, the light will not be uniform.

4. Arc tube rupture

The metal halides contain arc tubes, which deteriorate as the lamps age. They start discoloring and producing more heat. That alone can cause them to rupture.

5. They contain mercury

Even though the amount of mercury is small, it is toxic. The disposal process of these lamps is intricate.

6. UV radiations

Immediately the lamps are switched on, they generate UV (ultraviolent) radiations. Exposure to the radiations can cause premature aging and the risk of skin cancers and cataracts.

Why go for LED lights for cricket stadiums

1. Better energy efficiency

LED lights offer many benefits for cricket stadiums. They are energy-efficient and reduce energy usage by around 75 percent. Moreover, they maintain the original brightness in their whole life. The lamps do not flicker or buzz like most traditional lighting technologies and reduce the maintenance costs due to their very long lifespan. Moreover, they do not contain any harmful components, which mean that their disposal process is uncomplicated.

2. High color rendering index

The lights have a higher color rendering index – above 80. That should tell you that they bright out the real colors of the objects. Manufacturers supply them in various color temperatures and finding one that will match the needs of your cricket stadium or field is easy. LEDs consume minimal electricity. You can, therefore, power them by solar and avoid relying on the power grid.

3. Dimmable lighting control for cricket field

LED lighting allows control of the light output. They boast a sophisticated control system and swift communication. When paired with advanced lighting controls, LED lighting technology can boost the energy-efficiency and reduce the operating costs. Even though having the lights switched on during a match, they should light equally. You can lower the light output by up to 50 percent with a single switch. They are perfect for broadcasting and provide uniform lighting on the cricket field or stadium.

Conclusion

When choosing LED lights, ensure that they are of high quality. They should deliver high brightness, color temperature, and luminous efficiency. They should be waterproof and with efficient heat dissipation. Those with higher heat conducting rate such as 238W/mk are a good choice. They should provide good ventilation. Speaking of the color rendering index, go for one with a CRI above 90. Lights with 5600K color temperature are preferable in cricket.

The post Cricket Stadium Lighting Buyer’s Guide appeared first on LEDStadium.

To compare DMX and DALI lighting controls, you must know about each of these luminaries’ commands. Upon learning the working and functionality of each of these controls, you will be able to make out the difference easily.

About DALI

In the DALI lighting control system, more than one control panels are used to connect with several luminaries. It’s like a decentralized system that is controlled individually through each control panel to dim lights. The DALI control utilizes two wires as its control line, while the max distance it can cover is 300 meters. Each DALI control can be connected to a mix of 64 luminaries, taking care of about 254 brightness levels from its “OFF” to “ON” mode.

About DMX

Contrary to the DALI the DMX uses a single control panel to control all the luminaries and lights. It’s a centralized lighting control system as compared to the decentralized DALI. DMX has multiple drop connectors using the RS422 or the RS485 that enable sit to connect more luminaries and more lights in a single connection. With the use of DMX the color of the lights can also be controlled which is not possible in the Dali connection.

Difference between DMX and DALI

• DMX or Digital Multiplexing is a fast speed control system, while DALI or Digital Addressable Lighting Interface is a slow speed control system.
• A DMX can have up to 512 connections while in DALI max connections are 64 only.
• In the DMX system, automatic addressing cannot be performed while in a DALI system automatic addressing is possible.
• While in both systems the cable length is 300 meters, yet in DMX the cable requirement is Cat-5.
• DMX is a centralized control panel while DALI is a decentralized control system.

Now, that you know what’s a DMX and DALI lighting control and the critical point of difference between the two. You can quickly assess your requirements and choose the best lighting control for your use.

Uses of DMX and DALI light controls

Coming to lighting controls for High Mast Pole, you must first know what a high mast pole is and its uses if you don’t know it yet. High mast poles are tall poles that have a cluster of fitted lights facing downwards often used on highways, Airports, and stadiums, fields etc. High mast lighting is used where a constant amount of light is required continuously. Both DMX and DALI lighting control systems can be implemented for high mast poles. But which one you will need will depend on the type of use.

Let us analyze different situations where high mast poles are used and type of lighting control that are generally preferred:

a. Highways

Highways are a long stretch of road that can continue for miles and they require a constant light throughout. Such lighting of high mast poles is in proper alignment at regular intervals. Under such circumstances, DMX lighting control is preferred over DALI. It helps in maintaining the amount of light and is easy to control.

b. Tennis Court

Lawn Tennis requires high focused lights on the entire court but not focus lamps as it can distract players, and the viewers won’t be able to see the sport. Therefore, high mast poles are used in tennis courts. Since the court is not very big and the light requirement has to be controlled individually, a DALI based lighting control for high mast poles in such case are perfect. The DALI system will help to control the amount of light that is required on each side of the net, and that is necessary at the center since both will be different. Also, it will help to easily control the light that goes on the stand for the views to get the perfect view of the game.

c. Sports fields or Stadium

In stadiums where athletic events like hockey, soccer, or running, splinter, javelin or discus through, basketball etc. are conducted lighting plays a significant role, both for players and viewers. Low lying light cannot be used since they will hinder with the game or sport and won’t be of much use. Therefore, high mast pole lighting is more suitable. Depending upon the game being played or sport being conducted, different lighting controls will be needed. Some stadiums have well-structured lighting control that consists of a DMX light control on field and DALI control off the field while others have a mix or both through the field and the stand.

d. Commercial Areas

Commercial areas like Airports or Railway stations require high mast pole lights for better visibility for both, the vehicles and people travelling. At such places, both types of the lighting control system can be used simultaneously. For instance, at the airport runway, constant light is needed that focuses on the airstrip itself. Therefore, DMX light control panels can be effectively used here. Contrary to this, at airport buildings and hanger, different amount of controlled lights are needed suitable to nature of work that is being done there, in such case a DALI based individually controlled lighting system will be more useful.

Final words

Whichever lighting system you choose, it must serve the very purpose of providing adequate visibility and light contrast. Depending upon the requirements both DMX and DALI can serve the best purpose. Along with the lighting system, the type of lights and luminaries that are used, play a vital role in fulfilling the mission. Nowadays, LED lights are more commonly used in both these types of systems. LED lights are economical, energy efficient and long-lasting. Proper lights combined with the best light control solution give you the best experience.

The type of lighting control for high mast poles will depend on the utility, purpose and nature of monitoring you need. But the cost is also significant, you must consider the amount of money that will be required to light up the area you want. Taking the experts help in such situations is advised.

The post DMX vs DALI Lighting Control [High Mast Light Pole] appeared first on LEDStadium.

Type of lighting fixture used in cricket stadium

If you want the quick answer, this is it – we use high power LED flood lights to light up the cricket field or stadium. In general, flood lights are the fixtures that can illuminate the broad and large sports fields. A single flood light can even cover above 500 to 2000 sq. feet, depending on its beam angle. Therefore, we can see we need to use such the powerful luminaires to light up the stadiums for cricket, baseball or football play, as we are talking about providing above 300 lux in such the spacious area. We will need higher illuminance, says 1000 to 2000 lux for professional matches such as ICC Cricket World Cup and National T20 Cup. Let’s take a look at the characteristics of the cricket flood lighting applied in stadium.

1. High Power Flood Lighting

We can’t make use of light bulbs or security lighting in your home to light up the stadium. This is because the lights are too weak. Most LED bulbs have the power rating of 3W to 10W that gives out around 300 to 1400 lumens. However, if we need to lit up the large outdoor cricket pitch, we will need to use 1000W to 2000W LED that emits over 280000 lumens!

2. Specially designed beam angle

Another feature of stadium lighting is the beam angle. It has the significant difference if you compared it with the home light bulbs. For the traditional incandescent, fluorescent or contemporary LED bulbs, they emit light in almost all directions. If we apply the light bulbs in the cricket stadium, there is only a small portion of lights can reach the ground as most light bulbs goes up or outward the pitch. Thus, we need to use the flood lights having the specific beam angle.

In general, we will use the powerful flood lights having the beam angle of 10° to 25°, that limits the travelling direction of the lights. Usually there are reflectors or lens inside the LED flood lights, so we can control the beam angle precisely. By controlling the direction of light beam, the lights can be more concentrated on the cricket field.

The post What Lights are Used in Cricket Field & Stadium? appeared first on LEDStadium.

Why should we replace metal halide stadium lights?

1. UV emission

Due to the characteristic working principle of metal halide, not only visible light but UV light is generated. This is because the electron excitation process is not selective – we can’t control it to emit visible light only. The excessive amount of UV light may be harmful to skin, so we should avoid metal halide in the sports stadium. Especially we are using 1000W or even higher wattage of metal halide lights, the UV light intensity will be very high.

To improve this, we can make use of LED lights. This is because LED lighting has the completely different mechanism – using semi-conductor to give out visible light only. Therefore, we can see LED lights for stadium is more advanced, and it is worthwhile to replace the metal halide light bulbs with LED flood lights.

2. Mercury leakage

Do you know metal halide lamp contains a certain amount of mercury vapor? Mercury is needed because we make use of the vaporized mixture to generate electric arc, which is the fundamental working principle of metal halide lighting.

Right, if the luminaires are accidentally broken with the fast-moving football or baseball, chances are that the toxic mercury leaks to the stadium audience seats that causes disastrous consequence.

By upgrading the stadium lights to LED, we can eliminate this risk because LED lights won’t contain such the toxic substance.

3. Less energy saving

Why should we convert metal halide stadium lights to LED? Another major incentive is to save energy cost. Since LED lights have higher luminous efficacy than metal halide lights, LED can generate brighter lights if LED and MH lights have the same power rating. Especially when we are going to light up the gigantic stadium, we can save around 50 to 75% energy consumption after replacing the 1000W to 2000W metal halide stadium lights by LED. You will see the dramatic difference on the electricity bill after the replacement.

* Actual value depends on the luminous efficacy of metal halide lamps

Contact our representatives to get the free stadium lighting replacement tips and design.

See also: Pros & cons of upgrading high school stadium lighting to LED

4. Limited range of color temperature

To fulfil the FIFA international standard of football stadium lighting, we may need to use the specific color temperature in various circumstances. The color temperature of our LED lights can be customized from 2800 to 7500K that perfectly suits your need, which is better than metal halides that have the limited color temperature range.

Why should we replace halogen bulbs for sports stadium?

1. Excessive heat given out

Halogen bulb can easily heat up the stadium, so the football players and audience may feel discomfort particularly in summer. To light up the halogen bulb, the filament inside the bulb is needed to be heated up to thousands of degrees to generate visible light. However, LED doesn’t require this heating up process, so we can keep the stadium cool after the halogen replacement.

2. Short life span

If you are using halogen bulbs in the stadium, you may find it is fairly painful to replace the bulbs from time to time. You will need to do so because each halogen bulb lasts for only 1000 to 3000 hours, which is quite similar to incandescent bulb. Apart from wasting money to buy the new 1000W or 2000W halogen bulbs, we also need to spend much on installation. Nevertheless, using LED lights can greatly improve this.

Our stadium LED light has the much longer life span of 80,000 to 100,000 hours. Replacing the halogen lights with LED can definitely save your subsequent installation cost, so you can allocate much resource in other part of the stadium.

3. Easy to break

Most halogen bulbs are consisted of grass and other delicate parts, the fast-moving football, cricket or tennis balls may easily break the halogen bulbs. We can say the halogen bulb is less resistant to shatter, particularly when we are using the lamps in the stadium. Having the durable lights can also improve the stadium security.

On the contrary, LED is more durable and resistant to break as the LED chips are covered by the sturdy polycarbonate lens or other transparent material. These lighting fixtures, and thus, can even resist the strong impact inside the stadium.

4. Sensitive to touch

Interesting, it is not recommended to touch the surface of the halogen bulbs. One of the reasons is that you may easily get burnt as the surface of the grass is extremely hot after turning the halogen bulb for a while. Another important reason is that the oil of our fingertip may leave on the bulb surface. The oil will slightly alter the imbalance of the grass, and thus cause the bulb to break suddenly.

However, we don’t need to worry about this after replacing the 1000 to 2000W halogen bulbs with LED stadium lights. This is because we use polycarbonate lens instead of grass to cover the light source. LED is also much cooler to touch.

Tips on How to Replace Stadium Lighting (Metal halide to LED or Halogen to LED)

1. Wattage & lumen of LED stadium lighting replacement

The first and foremost things we need to consider is the power of the LED lights for replacing the metal halide or halogen lights. The simplest way is to look at the lumen of the existing metal halide or halogen lights. For instance, if each 2000W MH lights have 70,000 lumens, we can use the LED lights having the similar lumen output to replace it. As our LED lights have 170 lumens per watt, we can use 400W LED to replace 2000W this MH lamps. However, it is not the same in other cases because we have to look at the actual lumen output of the luminaires and compare it with the new ones.

The most important fact is that the lumen indicates the brightness of the lamps, while the wattage just represents the power consumption. Different light types (LED, halogen, metal halide) have different luminous efficacy, so we should ask the sports lighting contractors before buying. Even for the same lights source says LED, they would have different models having different lighting efficiencies within the company. Remember, never just look at the power consumption of the lights.

2. Weight limitation on light poles or roof

After selecting the right LED lumen to replace the MH stadium lights, we have to deal with the weight of the luminaires. Some companies may offer you the extremely heavy LED lights. If the weight of the lamps exceeds the safety standard, it may be quite dangerous as they may fall during the football of baseball matches. Especially we are using the 2000W, 4000W or even 5000W LED lights in the football field or cricket stadium.

Thus, if you are going to retrofitting or upgrading the stadium lights, we need to ask the sports lighting company, and compare the weight of the old and new lamps. The safest approach is to use the light-weight luminaires on the light poles or the stadium roof.

See also: Cricket stadium lighting buyer’s guide and tips

3. Beam angle of stadium lighting

Another important aspect of stadium lighting replacement is the beam angle, which greatly affects the lighting uniformity of the football field. If the stadium flood lights have large beam angle, the light beam will be spread and more diverged. However, if the beam angle is too large, the lights cannot travel in a long distance, so majority of light beam will be scattered before reaching the ground. Thus, we need to have the careful and precise arrangement of each lighting. 1000W and 2000W LED lights having 10 to 25 degrees are the common beam angles for sports field. Contact us to get the free lighting design today.

4. Light color

A way to describe the light color is using the color temperature. Normally we will use 5000K to 6000K lighting in the baseball stadium, cricket stadium, football stadium, etc. The 5000K lighting can provide the natural daylight feeling which is better for sports players. However, if the color temperature is too high, the blue light intensity will increase.

5. Lighting control system

DMX and DALI are the mainstream stadium lighting control system. The general is that we can connect dozens of luminaires together and manipulate the brightness, on/off in an integrated control panel. Sometimes we can use both DMX and DALI in the same venue to achieve the best lighting outcome.

6. Price

Price is always the big concern when replacing the stadium lights. If you happen to ask different sports lighting contractors, you may find that the price of LED light is higher than metal halide or halogen bulbs. However, aside from the initial cost (the lamp cost), we also need to consider the future running & maintenance cost.

If you have a really tight budget, we can even try to get the used stadium lights as the price is usually cheaper. However, we need to check the remaining life span of the lights. And we can’t get the customized lights for the stadium as each venue is unique. If you want to get the best lighting, it is advised to get the new lamps because we can have the customized wattage, lumen, beam angle, color temperature, & weight.

The post How to LED Replace Metal Halide or Halogen Stadium Lights (1000W to 2000W) appeared first on LEDStadium.

Here’s a quick overview of the Benefits of Stadium Lighting. Good stadium lighting does a lot more than to light up the field. It provides numerous benefits to both the players and spectators.

• Safety. Adequate lighting makes it easy to see everyone. It makes it easy for spectators to safeguard their properties.
• Increases revenue streams by enabling owners to host other events such as concerts and festivals.
• It improves the experience for fans by making it easy to see what’s happening in the field. Additionally, these lights can be synchronized with audio effects.

See also: Importance of stadium lights

Understanding how to select the best stadium lighting manufacturer is the first step to a great sporting experience. Whether it’s new field construction or replacement of existing lighting, be sure to check the following factors, before picking a suitable manufacturer:

How to choose the best stadium lighting manufacturer?

1. Relevant experience

Be sure to check their credibility. What experience do they have? So how do you differentiate between an amateur and a professional? Check their portfolio and look into their training and expertise. The professionals’ quote will be accurate and detailed. A professional manufacturer should be knowledgeable about various lighting techniques.

2. Free lighting design service

Different stadiums have different needs. To meet these needs, different varieties of lighting designs are often required, i.e., a variety of power options with diversified beams. Do your research. Decide the designs you would like to have and make sure it fits within your budget. After that, make a list of sports lighting contractors who are qualified to undertake your project. A good stadium lights supplier should outline suitable designs for prospective clients.

3. Response time

Any electrical breakdown affects service delivery, impacting your business negatively. Opt for a manufacturer who provides a 24/7 emergency response. In the event of a failure, it’s good to have the lighting serviced and restored back as soon as possible to get your business up and avoid disappointing your fans.

4. Warrants

What kind of warranties do they offer? A quality lighting manufacturer will have a warranty on both its products and services. Good lights come with a warranty. Keep in mind that the quality of stadium lights is as important as the quality of the design and installation process.

5. Type of stadium lighting they are selling

Stadiums and indoor sports arenas use HID lamps (high-intensity discharge), for their lighting needs. The basic structures vary depending on the size of the stadium. Go for a company that sells different varieties such as LED, metal halide, and halogen lights. However, LED Lights are the best option to save energy.

6. Background checks

Stadium lighting is a massive project. A large amount of money will be at stake. Before picking a company, it’s good to check with your state’s contractor licensing board, to find out if complaints have been filed. If complaints were filed, how were they resolved?

Confirm if the company holds a valid license (if you hire an unlicensed company, you will lose any protection provided by the licensing board)

7. Reviews and references

Ask colleagues for their recommendations and past experiences. Keep in mind that customer service is just as important as the quality of work. Go through client reviews. These reviews contain vital information, such as the professional behavior of the technicians.

A good manufacturer will take into account the needs of the audience.
The intensity of light required by the athletes is different from that of the spectators. Generally, athletes are always close to the line of sight; a low light intensity will meet their needs. For the audience, their main aim is to watch the game; their viewer’s line of sight is far and fixed. Good stadium lights should be tailored to meet everyone’s’ needs.

8. Understand your stadium

Know what you want before you get an estimate. For starters, get the layout of your field. Draw a 3D model to represent the actual environment. The more information you provide to your manufacturer, the more accurate the lighting plan.

9. Verify insurance policy

Information is power. Know what is covered by your insurance and what is covered by your manufacture’s business insurance, in the event of an accident or unforeseen damages. Go ahead and get a copy of the company’s insurance policy.

10. Interview at least three companies

Get a written bid from each company, then compare their prices. However, don’t expect to receive high-quality services from the low bidder. If one of the companies is significantly below the others, it should raise the alarm. Don’t compromise quality because of the price.

11. Ask a lot of questions

The right lighting system can make a great difference for the fan experience. Therefore, before you make any decision, be sure to ask a lot of questions. How long has the company been in business? Are they licensed and insured? Can they provide references from both past clients? Will they subcontract a different firm? Are they offering the cheaper used stadium lights? What is their expected timeline for completion? A reliable manufacturer will be happy to answer all your questions. Don’t rely on just one research tool, but instead incorporate various tools.

12. Sign a detailed contract

It should include deadlines, payment procedures, and the exact lighting materials to be used. Ensure that your contract is a blueprint to what will be done. Have everything documented. If you don’t have it documented, it will be your word against theirs. Have an attorney go through, your contract to ensure that your interests are protected. If the agreement is not detailed enough, provide addendum’s cost.

Choose a company that fits your style and personality. If you love a personal approach, a small company is the right one for you. On the other hand, if you want, speed and professionalism, a larger company will serve you better.

Set a budget and stick to it. Avoid deviating from it once the job begins. Finally, get everything in writing and never pay more than 50% upfront.

The post 12 Tips on How to Choose the Best Stadium Lighting Manufacturer appeared first on LEDStadium.

Diverse use of mobile floodlights for sports

Mobile tower lightings are useful in illuminating sports grounds during evening-hour sporting events. But they are also useful in many other activities such as military, construction, tunneling, and many other industrial sectors. The primary reason why they are used is their maneuverability. They are easy to carry around and can be made to illuminate any specific area with suitable light beams and folding poles. Military operations, difficult construction works, and tunneling activities require high-intensity spotlighting. Mobile tower lightings are best suited for such outdoor lighting needs where the place to be illuminated is somewhat inaccessible. But for the meticulous and flawless workmanship, adequate lighting is required in these activities, which mobile tower lighting can provide with accuracy and efficiency.

Portable LED sports lighting products

As mobile tower lighting aims to cater to a niche market where ordinary lighting systems is either not available or not viable, mobile tower lighting is constantly being upgraded with innovations and adoption of high-end technology. As a result, there are as many types of mobile tower lighting as the number of companies manufacturing them. There are elementary types of portable tower lighting systems where the lighting equipment is mounted on a pick-up van or truck and is powered by a generator. The floodlights in their sockets are placed at the top of the pole. The entire lighting system can either stay put on the vehicles or placed on the ground at a suitable location. The light is powered by a generator. Usually, the blubs can be a metal halide, CFL or LED.

Advanced versions of mobile tower lighting

However, more advanced and modern varieties of the equipment are available in the market. As we mentioned above, it caters to a niche segment it is expected to be versatile and precise. These factors have led to various innovations and improvisation in the basic unit. Now you can expect mobile tower lighting to come in a standalone format equipped with a wheeled platform on which the entire system stands. The poles are designed in such a way that they can be maneuvered to reach inaccessible locations at the worksite. Bulbs are mostly LED but their beams are selected as per the needs. Depending on how much light is required, the lux, watts, and lighting design can be worked out.

Mobile tower lighting is immensely useful because of its being portable and highly maneuverable.

What is floodlight?

Floodlights are specially designed lighting systems used to illuminate large spaces. Floodlights have been around for a long time before it became famous as the lighting system for sports grounds where extremely competitive and high-profile matches take place.

Floodlights use the broad-beam high-intensity light to illuminate larger areas with greater efficacy than common lightings can do. Typically, floodlights are mounted on the top of a long pole so that its light beams can travel far and wide and illuminate a larger space. Various kinds of bulbs are used in floodlights such as halogen, incandescent, or LED bulbs. However, because of many considerations, such as energy-efficiency, durability, lower maintenance, and better control, LED bulbs are more popular.

Floodlights are used by a large number of industries for illuminating their open spaces. The local municipal offices use floodlights to illuminate public spaces such as parks, highways, markets, etc. It is very common to see floodlights at large and busy railway stations, airports, shipyards, and dockyards. Modern industries also use floodlights to keep their production or warehousing facilities illuminated.

With the advancement of technology, very high-quality floodlights are available in the market where every component from poles to the circuits of the bulbs, and bulbs themselves are of high standards, ensuring reliability, durability, energy-efficiency, and high-performance. Because of its sheer utility, it’s difficult to imagine urban life without floodlights.

Why is it useful for the sports field?

Floodlights are very efficient and flexible lighting systems for illuminating outdoor facilities including sports fields. Sporting events under artificial light is not a new phenomenon. But now, the lighting systems have become so advanced that they compete in performance with the high-intensity matches that take place under their light. International sporting events are broadcast live throughout the world and millions of people watch them every day. For the broadcasts and matches to be of the quality that can keep millions of people glued to their TV sets or other devices, the sports field need to have a very high quality of illumination. Modern-day floodlights provide such high-intensity illumination.

1. High-quality, reliable lighting

Such a high quality of illumination is achieved through a combination of factors such as high-quality lighting equipment, light designing, and use of modern technology to calculate the amount and quality of the light required across the field. There is a lot of safety concerns when high-profile international matches are played. The safety of players, ground staff, spectators and fans depend on a reliable presence of lights across the stadium. Floodlights are high-intensity broad-beamed lights that differ from focused lights that aim to spotlight a small area such as a stage in a concert.

2. Fixed floodlights

Fixed floodlights are generally mounted on a much longer pole than portable tower lighting may have so that its light can reach far and wide in the stadium. Since floodlights have a bigger area to illuminate with a much brighter and powerful light, they are designed to be heavy-duty, with a range of control and commands says DMX and DALI systems. During low-profile matches, the floodlights may be used at low capacity while during the more intense matches of the international level, the floodlights could be used at its highest capacity.

Why do we need mobile lighting for the sports field?

Following the trend of high-profile matches being conducted under the floodlight, now even school and college level matches are being organized under the floodlight. Similarly, all kinds of amateur and professional matches at all levels are preferred to be organized in the day-night format. A chief reason for this trend is that matches organized under the floodlight have higher entertainment value for everybody involved. While players tend to perform better and enjoy the spotlight that they get, the audience gets a real feel of a match played under the floodlight in their very neighborhood. But for the local-level matches to be held under the floodlight, there is a problem of lack of floodlight-equipped sports fields. Even if there are such playgrounds, there would be problems packed schedule.

The latest trend shows that local level sports clubs now prefer to organize their matches in the evening and night hours under the mobile tower lighting. This makes the job of organizing a match so much easier as everybody enjoys a game played under the floodlight. These days, mobile tower lightings come in all shapes, sizes, and capacities that can cater to all kinds of floodlight needs. Apart from many industrial sectors, these mobile tower lightings are increasingly being used as a floodlight for organizing local level matches.

Mobile floodlights for football, soccer, cricket, tennis, basketball matches

Mobile tower lighting is an extremely efficient and flexible option for the illumination of sports grounds. These standalone lighting systems can be powered by electricity or generators, both of which could be available at the local sports club or the stadium where the matches are being held. Depending on the need, these lighting systems can be placed strategically so that the playground is adequately illuminated. You would perhaps not need a light designer or an electrical engineer to work out how many lux and watts you need to properly illuminate a sports field where a match is scheduled to be held. You can do these calculations yourself by simply trying out different arrangements. The one that everybody finds most suitable is the one to go with. This is so simple!

Mobile lighting systems are extremely versatile and they can illuminate any playground or court whether it is for a match of football, soccer, cricket, tennis, or basketball. There are many kinds of mobile tower lightings available in the market. The ones that are meant to act as floodlights for sporting events are broad-beamed, high-intensity lights. They can have single or multiple lighting heads for higher capacity and wider and more intense lighting on the ground.

For the illumination of a full-scale football or cricket, you will need multiple mobile tower lightings. Their number can vary from 4 to 8 or more depending on the size of the field and the quality of matches. If the sports fields are of full size and the matches are also fairly competitive, you would probably need 8 doubled headed mobile tower lighting. But if the fields are smaller, even four such lightings would be enough. The same goes for other sports such as tennis and basketball too.

See also: Pros and cons of used stadium lights

Advantages of using LED mobile sports flood lights

There are many advantages of using LED mobile sports flood lights because it combines two very smart technologies – LED and mobile tower lighting system. Most of the flood lights today are made with LED bulbs because of their competitive advantages. Even in fixed tower flood lights, generally LED bulbs are used.

1. Benefits of LED

• Converts electricity into light energy
• Does not emit heat while creating light
• Consumes less energy
• Bright & focused
• Bulbs last longer
• Don’t need time to warm up

2. An enabler for sporting events

LED mobile sports flood lights can effectively cater to the needs of local-level sports clubs that tend to organize a large number of events throughout the year. As the new trend is all about organizing matches under the floodlight, LED mobile sports floodlight can contribute significantly to the growth of the day-night format of matches in smaller cities and towns where there are not many sports fields with floodlights.

As more and more local-level matches are vying to be organized in the day-night format, the LED mobile sports floodlights are likely to be in great demand. This seems to be the right technology at the right time. Mobile tower with LED floodlights are not only a very efficient lighting system for organizing high standard sports events, but these are also very flexible equipment that can easily be maneuvered and placed at strategic locations in the sports filed for better illumination of the entire facility.

3. Affordable & energy efficient

LED mobile sports floodlights are highly affordable products, and at the same time also very energy-efficient. Because of the use of new energy-saving technologies, these lighting systems draw very little energy compared to halogen or CFL bulbs, which are also more expensive. Because these are highly evolved products, there is a greater degree of reliability about their performance. They don’t tend to malfunction, nor do they require frequent repairs. As sports events would require a high-performance lighting system that doesn’t spoil the spirit and flow of the game by frequent malfunctioning, this lighting solution is the best bet.

4. Great value for money

These lighting systems are of great value for money. Looking at their ease of portability and multifaceted use in the sporting arena, they seem to be a must item with local event management companies and sports clubs. While this equipment can be used during matches held in the evening and night hours, these can also be used at other events where a relatively large number of people are present such as at local fairs, arts fest, cultural events, and so on.

Conclusion

Mobile tower lighting and also Mobile LED sports floodlights are great and innovative products that have found ready acceptance in many industries including widespread use in sports. Because of their multifarious use, this equipment is always in demand. Sports clubs and event management companies will benefit a great deal by acquiring these lighting systems.

The post What is Mobile Sports Floodlights? How this Portable Field Lights can be Used? appeared first on LEDStadium.

Here we’ll cover

• The primary uses of stadium lights
• How to select stadium lights
• How much wattage/energy is required and what’s the best rating based on the type of sport being played
• Whether used stadium lights are safe to buy; and,
• How to choose used stadium lights if you’re going to buy used, rather than new.

No two stadiums are alike. Therefore, the stadium lighting you choose to purchase for an arena, whether it’s in or outdoors, will vary. So, let’s cover some primary purchase aspects you need to focus on when you’ve decided to buy used stadium lighting.

What are Stadium Lights Used for?

Stadium lights have enhanced the way we enjoy sports and other indoor performances. Sodium-lighting fixtures that were previously used, have been updated to LED lighting, that’s far more efficient, brighter, and greatly enhances how we can see players/performers, regardless of how dark the external conditions get.

Where are we primarily seeing stadium lights pop up? Many arenas and stadiums that have installed new stadium LED lights, to help enhance the fan experience at live events. Here are some popular places where you’ll see stadium lights today.

1. Sporting Arenas

Fields of play and indoor arenas are the primary industry where stadium lights are utilized to mimic natural outdoor lighting. As the name suggests, “stadium” lighting helps improve the aesthetics on the field, as well as the appearance of players, colors and the movement during live play.

2. Tennis court

LED stadium lights replace

• Halogen
• Mercury
• Metal halide, or HPS lighting in tennis stadiums today.

Solar-powered floodlights are a good option for tennis arenas. Because the green grass, orange surfaces, or bright blue surfaces on tennis courts required lower-powered light options, floodlights are a top choice. Apart from reducing glare, they can also reduce energy consumption by up to 90%. The lights are great on clay, grass, or hard-surfaces.

3. Football field

High-powered LED lights are the best choice for large stadiums, like a football stadium that can seat over 60,000 fans. These lights help

• Enhance the presentation of play on the field
• Help improve the appearance on TV in HD
• Allow for innovative light shows (color changes) during the halftime performance
• Help increase clarity

These lights are also cheaper to operate, energy-efficient, and aren’t prone to major outages, as other types of lighting might be.

4. Soccer, Baseball, & Cricket

Although not as popular in the US as other regions of the world, cricket and soccer (futebol) are two of the most popular sports in the world. To produce enough power for these fields LED floodlights are used in most stadiums. The reason for picking this type of lighting is that these lights emit a bright white light onto the field. It helps to balance the green playing surface (lawn or artificial turf), sandy surfaces in some stadiums (where they begin and end), and the white lines (out of bounds) on the field well. Additionally, these lights are great for

• Helping players see the ball (cricket) when it flies high into the air
• Seeing the ball (soccer) on the green field
• Illuminating the field without zebra-spots
• Illuminate the field even under tarps/covers

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the US. In these stadiums, LED floodlights are used for similar reasons. The ball can be seen, regardless of how high in the air it reaches, so players have a better opportunity to make a play on the ball.

5. Indoor Sports

Yes, we primarily think of stadium lights for outdoor stadiums. However, they’re also used indoor for sports like

• Basketball
• Hockey
• Swimming stadiums/arenas
• Indoor tennis
• Concerts and live performances, and other indoor activities.

In indoor settings, indoor LED floodlights are the premier choice for stadium lighting needs. To guarantee clear visibility for players and fans in the arena, these lights can be modified to brighter/darker settings, as needed. They also help light the indoor stadium evenly so there are no dark or dead spots. And, the lights help minimize glare (underwater or bouncing off the court), so players can compete at the highest levels, delivering the greatest level of competition for fans in attendance.

What are “Used” or Second-Hand Stadium Lights?

Exactly what the name says! Used stadium lights are lights that have been previously used in another stadium, theater, or outdoor setting. They’re considered “second-hand” lights because they aren’t brand new.

Why Purchase Used Stadium Lights?

The main reason a school, professional sports team, or another client would consider buying second-hand stadium lights is for the cost savings. New stadium lights for a high school arena or field can exceed $250,000 when they’re professionally installed. At the professional level, the cost can surpass $1-million (much more in some stadiums based on the size, acoustics, and other variables in the stadium). This is a major investment, and it is one that most people do not take lightly (nor should they).

If choosing to purchase used or second-hand stadium lights, it’s important to

1. Choose a reputable seller.
2. Make sure the company is well-known, guarantees their products, and offers extended warranties on the used lighting
3. Select a company with a solid reputation for selling used lighting for stadium settings
4. Make sure the lighting you’re buying is for sports used (proper lumens, wattage, brilliance, etc.)
5. Offers price match or guaranteed pricing
6. Make sure the company will install the new LED lighting into the stadium (or indoor field of play)
7. Removes the old lighting and properly disposes of it to prevent fees/fines/penalties for illegal disposal or removal of lighting
8. Ensure you trust the company you purchase from. It might seem like something that’s not that important, but it is. You’re spending a lot of money on these lights, you want to choose a company that’s reputable, honest, and stands behind their work.

You have many options when you’re choosing an online or local supplier for your used stadium lights. Don’t make a rash decision or buy the cheapest thing you can find. It will be a decision you regret making down the road. Instead, make sure you know who you’re buying from and that it’s a reputable/trusted dealer. It’s best to choose a company that has

• Solid online reviews & ratings (Google, Yelp, third-party sites)
• Has a Google My Business Page (don’t buy from a company that isn’t registered or doesn’t have the proper licensing)
• Is BBB-listed (A+ rating is the best choice)
• Been in business for many years and has a great reputation (online and locally/nationally).

Take your time in the decision-making process. It’s a major investment, and the lighting will last in your stadium for the next 20+ years (if you make the right choice). So, take your time, know your options, and shop around before you decide which used stadium light supplier to purchase your stadium lights from.

Benefits of Purchasing Used Stadium Lights

As we’ve highlighted, stadium lights are the best option for indoor and outdoor sporting events. However, the high price tag of new stadium lights, easily eclipsing $1-million, is something that not many non-professional sports teams can afford. For those who aren’t able to spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars on stadium lights, the next best option is to buy used, second-hand stadium lights.

What are the primary benefits of choosing this route? We already know they’re cheaper. But, what other reasons should you consider for investing in used lighting and equipment? We’ll cover a few of the primary benefits of buying second-hand, whether purchasing locally, from a national distributor, or an online retailer.

1. The Price

This is the primary reason many teams, non-professional associations, colleges, or intramural sports teams will decide to buy used, rather than new LED stadium lights. This is probably the most expensive investment companies or teams will make, as it pertains to updating a stadium. Therefore, it’s a decision that those who are in charge of selecting the lighting should take their time making.

Countless suppliers sell used or second-hand stadium lights. These include

• Retailers like eBay or Alibaba (China)
• Government auction sites
• Independent auction and wholesale sites
• Lighting suppliers and used lighting suppliers

Some companies specialize in sports and stadium lighting. When you choose to buy second-hand lighting, make sure it is from a specialist. You can save thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on used LED stadium lights. However, you have to know you’re buying from a reputable supplier and a company that will guarantee and warrants the purchase you’re making with them.

2. The Quality (if Chosen from the Right Seller)

You don’t have to compromise on the quality of lighting, just because it is second-hand. You can often find used stadium lights that have been used for less than one or two years. Think about this, in comparison to metal halide lights, stadium lights can last three to four times longer. Metal halide lights last up to 12K hours. If the stadium keeps those lights on for 8 hours a day, 15/days per month, that would last up to 10 years.

LED stadium lights, on the other hand, are rated for 50,000+ hours (for the best quality lighting). That means even if you buy a set of used lights that were used for 5 years (about 600 to 1000 hours), you still have 20+ years you’ll get out of those lights. So, imagine you buy high-quality, used stadium lights, from a reputable dealer, and pay $100,000. Expensive, yes. However, in comparison to $200,000+, you’re saving 50%. In some instances, you’ll find even greater deals.

Don’t skimp on the quality of the used lighting you purchase. You want to save, that’s a given. However, you don’t want to spend money foolishly. If you buy used stadium lights, from an unknown company, that isn’t listed and doesn’t guarantee anything for $10,000, you might as well throw the cash away. Take your time to find the right supplier of used lighting, and you’ll get quality lighting that will produce at the highest levels, for 10 years plus, for a fraction of the price you’d pay for new lighting.

3. Local Discount/Pricing

Another way to save is to buy from a local supplier. If there’s a reputable national chain, that’s in your local community, visit their storefront. Additionally, if you can find a local supplier that’s installed stadium lights in professional sports stadiums in your local community, you can trust them for your intramural or high school stadium light needs.

When you buy locally, companies will

• Visit the stadium and help you choose the lighting
• Suggested the best used or second-hand lights available
• Tell you what lumens, wattage, and power needs required to maintain the brightest lighting for the stadium
• Assist you to select the appropriate lights based on the field/stadium, surfaces, and the surrounding areas

Additionally, the company can do the installation quickly and will guarantee/warrant the work they do. If you have a reputable local supplier, has excellent ratings/reviews, and is known for the quality of their work, consider buying the stadium lights locally to save.

4. Long Useful Life

Your LED stadium lights are rated for at least 25,000 (for the lowest-end lighting). Therefore, even when you buy used lights, that have been used for several hundred or a few thousand hours, you can still expect to get at least 10K to 15K additional hours of use. That’s several years you’ll get out of those used stadium lights. You won’t have to worry about replacing them five or 10 years down the road. If you buy second-hand lights from the right supplier, you can expect a minimum of 15 additional years of use, after they are installed in the stadium you’re purchasing them for.

You Can Allocate Money for Other Improvements

If you have other improvements to make in the stadium, buying second-hand lighting allows you to set aside some funding for those projects. Many professional and collegiate-level stadiums include

9. Restaurants, bars, and pubs
10. Swimming pools, hot tubs
11. Hospitality lounges and sky lounges
12. Standing areas
13. New seating, and several other improvements.

Sure, most local clubs and organizations aren’t going to spend $10+ million in renovating a stadium, but you get the idea. You can allocate funding for other large-scale projects, when you reduce the cost of your stadium lights, by purchasing used rather than new.

5. Reduced Electrical Cost

No doubt in anyone’s mind LED lights are more energy-efficient than traditional halogen bulbs. Therefore, you can expect to reduce your electric costs at the stadium, when you install used stadium lights. Just as a reference point, professional stadiums have reported savings of nearly $1-million in electric costs annually, and others have reported savings of 27% on monthly electric bills, by replacing halogen lights with stadium lights. A high school or local sports club won’t save as much. But, you can see just how great the energy consumption reduction is, meaning you’ll feel the savings in the long run with used stadium lights.

6. Improved Clarity on the Field

LED lights are excellent to help counterbalance different colors. Reds, green, blue, white lines, sand, and other alternating surfaces on different fields, are perfectly highlighted by stadium lights. Additionally, the lighting will help improve the different levels players will encounter on

• Clay surfaces
• Grass or artificial turf
• The hard court or wood surfaces
• Ice (hockey), or underwater (swimming)

Lights help enhance everything and make it a little clearer for players. By improving clarity on the field, players perform better, and it will also help prevent injuries on the field since the players can see items that might get in the way or obstructions they wouldn’t see if they were playing in darker surfaces, or playing in a stadium with old halogen lighting.

7. Greater Competition/Enjoyment for the Fans

We’ve highlighted the many benefits of floodlights and stadium LED lights. They help

• Enhance the field of play
• Make it easier for players to see balls, colors, distractions/objects, etc.
• Create a feel of “natural” lighting in the stadium
• Allow fans to enjoy competition at any time of the day/night and year-round

Because the LED lighting can be adjusted to suit the sport and stadium, it’s easy for field operators and stadium operator crews, to create an environment where the field is as close to what natural lighting would look like, if the game were being played outdoor, on a bright day.

Not only are fans going to enjoy the games more, but players are also going to compete at the highest level possible. When they can see every minute detail on the field, know which angles to take, and can modify their gameplay based on the conditions presented by the opposing team, this allows players to maximize their performance during a game. Fans will appreciate it, and teams are going to play harder to ensure the greatest level of intense competition is delivered for those in attendance.

The Drawbacks/Risks with Used Stadium Lights

With the good, there are some issues we should note as well. Here are some risks of purchasing used, or second-hand stadium lights, rather than new.

1. Shorter Warranty

Some suppliers selling used stadium lights might not offer a full warranty. For example, if the manufacturer offered a 30-year warranty (when the lights were brand new), if you buy them used, the supplier might only offer a 15-year warranty. This is still a pretty good deal in most cases, however, for some stadiums (especially a new stadium, where everything else has been updated), you might want a longer warranty period.

This shorter warranty issue is especially if the stadium lights have been used extensively before you purchase them. If they have a useful life of 50K hours, and the previous owner used them for 25K hours, many suppliers won’t offer a full warranty on this purchase. You must ask questions before purchasing used stadium lights, to know what you’re getting, and how long you’re protected for that purchase.

This is one of the main reasons we highlighted you have to buy from a reputable supplier. But, even then, it’s impossible to know what damage/use the lights have been put through, with the previous owner didn’t inform the supplier about. For this reason, some suppliers might offer a “limited warranty,” or even a trial period/return window.

2. They’re Damaged

You don’t know who the previous owner was when you buy second-hand. Even if you buy from a national supplier, they can’t guarantee how the lights were used for or how well they were maintained by the previous owner. Therefore, the damage might have occurred that wasn’t reported to the supplier. Some forms of damage may include

• Wind damage
• Blown fuses
• Damaged gasket or brackets
• Damage that’s done by force (someone intentionally damaged the lights, and they were repaired)

Although the supplier might have properly repaired the lights before selling them to you, it’s impossible to know how well the repair work was done, or how long you’ll get out of the lights.

3. Installation Bracket/Modification

In some cases, you might have a bracket that’s already in place from the old halogen lighting in your stadium, that doesn’t fit with the used stadium LED lights you’re considering purchasing. This doesn’t mean you can’t buy them; however, you would have to modify the bracket, which in some cases, might end up costing more than you bargained for. It’s important to know all the variables and costs before doing this, to prevent making a mistake, and investing in used lights, that will end up costing nearly as much as brand-new lighting (and installing a new bracket) would cost.

4. Shorter Life Expectancy

No matter how long the lights were used, you’re going to get a shorter lifespan from them than you would if you bought new stadium lights. In some cases, it might be a couple of years, in other instances, the lights might have been used for 20,000 hours before they were resold. Therefore, you’re getting about half the useful/operable life with those lights. Make sure you know how long the lights were owned (both hours and years) to make an informed decision when buying used stadium lighting.

How to Choose the Right Used Stadium Lights

In this last section, we’ll help you choose the appropriate stadium lights for the stadium you’re planning on installing the lighting in.

1. The Light Source

The three most used lighting sources are metal halide, halogen, and LED.

Metal halide produces an electrical arc (mercury and metal halides) to produce the lighting in the stadium. This source of lighting is dated and isn’t used as often as it was in the past. The primary reason is that the average lifespan is 6,000 hours, in comparison to 20,000+ with LED.

Another source, halogen, isn’t often used today either. When you think of halogen, think of traditional light bulbs used in lamps. They’re a bit superior to metal halide, however, their useful life is about. So you can expect about 3,000 to 4,000 hours of use.

The superior choice for stadium lights is LED. Light-emitting diodes (LED) lights help

• Illuminate large spaces/fields
• Produce even appearance throughout the fields
• Reduce energy consumption
• Extend the useful life (at least 20,000 hours)

They are the most expensive (initially), however, over the useful life, they’ll pay for themselves in terms of energy savings and lack of maintenance required.

2. Wattage & Lumens

A combination of high lumens and wattage can illuminate any playing field perfectly. 750 to 1000 watt stadium lights emit the ideal levels of light. These lights feature

• Higher track scope
• They’re a cooler light source and don’t emit as much heat as higher wattage levels, so fans won’t feel the heat (nor will players)
• High-efficiency ballasts
• Luminaire resistance (shockproof)
• They are Eco-friendly, and they have superior response time (they’ll fire on in seconds)

Lumens measure the intensity of light that’s emitted from the stadium lights. Lumens per watt determine how efficient the bulbs are; therefore, it’s important to discuss this aspect with the lighting supplier, to ensure you’re getting the maximum efficiency with the new stadium lights you order.

3. The Beam Angle/Glaring Interference for Players

If the beam angle is wide, then the light distribution will be even on the ground. It helps reduce glare and allows players to see clearly. If beam angles are narrow, the uniformity of the light is low, increasing glare and redundancy. It’s important to perform a photochromic analysis, to determine the appropriate beam angle, and to ensure players have the clearest vision on the field during competition.

4. Color Temperature (International Play)

If the stadium lights are installed in fields where an international competition takes place, correlated color temperature is important. For example, FIFA requires a minimum of 4000K rating. It differs in each sport/event. Therefore, it’s important to discuss the international competition with the stadium light installation company, to ensure the proper color temperature rating is present before installing stadium lights.

5. Design

The stadium’s design is important in selecting the appropriate lighting source. Some variables including the
• Stadium size
• Seating capacity
• Glare angles
• Types of seats (reflection off the seats)
• Position and angle posts; and, how many stadium lights (flood or spotlights) are needed, should be determined before installing new lights.

6. Solar-Powered Options

Connecting solar-powered panels to stadium lights is a possibility today. Depending on the size of the stadium, the number of lights, and how frequently the lights are used, savings of 10 to 15% may result by installing solar-powered panels.

Ready to Invest in New Lighting?

Stadium lights are an excellent upgrade for any stadium, professional or non-professional. Before you invest, make sure you work through these variables and factors to help you select the appropriate lights. You’ll save, and you’ll end up with the best quality stadium lights, that will last for the next 25 years if you maintain them properly, while reducing your annual energy bills by almost half.

The post Used Stadium Lights – Pros & Cons of Buying Sale Football Field Lighting appeared first on LEDStadium.

Here’s all that you need to know about stadium lighting.

Importance of good lighting in the football stadium

Good lighting design is always vital for matches and for the players. The lighting for a football stadium needs to be surrounded. Also, the LED bulb used needs to be of high power that can travel a long distance inside the stadium. The LED light used should provide daylight like the effect so that the players can get a clear vision while playing. Another benefit of LED lighting is it has advanced beam control and less light spill than other kinds of bulbs.

It is always recommended to have a 2-pole quantity for football lighting with four or six lighting stands. In a 4-pole arrangement, 2 poles are located on each and each side containing 2 bulbs. Whereas in a 6-pole arrangement, 3 poles are located on each side, which is closer to sidelines. The beam spread should put maximum light on the football ground without creating any hot spots.

The minimum mounting height of these poles should be 50 feet. This will ensure covering a long distance inside the field.

Comparison of different colored temperature

Color temperature of LED lights is measured in Kelvin. Here are the 3 categories of color temperature to let you understand the intensity of each lighting.

1. 3000K

Soft yellowish or low white color to give a soothing, warm and relaxing effect at the home. This lighting temperature is best for homes as it provides a relaxing ambience.

2. 5000K

Bright white vibrant and crisp color to provide clear vision and energy. this level of color temperature is better for football, baseball stadium, etc.

3. 6000K

This is by the far the most vibrant and white color temperature that provides a complete clear daylight vision. It’s mostly used in stadiums.

Which is the best color temperature for a Football stadium?

Now as you know that bright color is highly recommended in a football stadium, you need to choose a color temperature that provides the maximum bright white color. A 6000K bulb is perfect for a football stadium. Here’s why it’s best for a football stadium:

• Provides bright white color light in the stadium.
• Gives almost a daylight effect.
• Boosts the energy of the player.
• Provides the footballers with a clear vision on the field.

How color temperature affects the mood of footballers?

It’s true that color temperature affects the mood of people. How? Depending on the color temperature of the lighting, our body releases certain hormone. For example, a low colored light triggers the release of a hormone named melatonin which is responsible for making us sleepy. This light color temperature gives the body a warm and relaxing feeling. In the same way, high color temperature lighting increases the Serotonin Hormone in the body. Serotonin Hormone is responsible for bringing instant energy in the body.

Now footballers on the field need a lot of strength and energy to play efficiently. Gloomy lighting will obviously not quite work here. It will bring their mood. They need energy the most. A bright color temperature especially a daylight color will enhance their mood with a lot of energy and bring a level of enthusiasm in them. With more energy in the body, obviously, their performance will be better.

This is why the exact color temperature is important in a football stadium.

Final thoughts

When you are buying an LED sports lighting make sure you choose a certified brand that provides a guarantee period, like LEDStadium. We recommend the use of 6000K because it is more natural and better for footballer. Though the LED doesn’t get damaged too early it’s always better to buy them stuff from a reliable brand.

The post 3000K vs 5000K vs 6000K Sports Lighting: Which is Best for Footballer? appeared first on LEDStadium.